Blue Helmets: The Strategy of U.N. Military Operations

Another contribution to the burgeoning literature on peacekeeping as a military problem. A clear and interesting work, sponsored by the Association of the U.S. Army, it makes the now conventional distinction between traditional and second-generation peacekeeping -- the latter being more "bellicose and complex." of greatest utility, in addition to a good bibliography and a generally sound narrative, is the exploration of the organizational aspects of U.N. peacekeeping operations. The author concludes that the United Nations should not be expected, or asked, to conduct real military operations. This is, therefore, a muted plea for leaving peace operations that might entail fighting to national armies and traditional coalitions.