Peace Operations

As peace operations become the primary mechanism of conflict management used by the UN and regional organizations, understanding their problems and potential is essential for a more secure world. In this revised and updated second edition, Paul Diehl and Alexandru Balas provide a cutting-edge analysis of the central issues surrounding the development, operation, and effectiveness of peace operations. Among many features, the book: Traces the historical development of peace operations from their origins in the early 20th century through the development of modern peacebuilding missions and multiple simultaneous peace operations.Tracks changes over time in the size, mission and organization of peace operations.Analyses different organizational, financial, and troop provisions for peace operations, as well as assessing alternatives.Lays out criteria for evaluating peace operations and details the conditions under which such operations are successful. Drawing on a wide range of examples from those between Israel and her neighbours to more recent operations in Bosnia, Somalia, Darfur, East Timor, and the Congo, this new edition brings together the body of scholarly research on peace operations to address those concerns. It will be an indispensable guide for students, practitioners and general readers wanting to broaden their knowledge of the possibilities and limits of peace operations today.

"Comprehensive in scope, and up to date in its coverage, this book provides an excellent account of the development of international peacebuilding and peacekeeping operations. It shows how these operations have emerged and changed over time and provides vital context for understanding contemporary challenges and new developments. It also offers new ways of evaluating international efforts to build stable peace in some of the world�s most difficult and dangerous places. New students and old hands alike will benefit from reading this important new volume." Alex Bellamy, Griffith University "With what is more than an updated historical primer on peace operations, Diehl and Balas have done a masterful job of differentiating peacekeeping and peacebuilding, synthesizing the most recent quantitative findings on correlates of success and identifying the future challenges for policymakers. All is accomplished in a highly accessible book." Karen A. Mingst, University of Kentucky"This book by Paul Diehl and Alexandru Balas provides comprehensive and thought-provoking coverage of the contemporary practice of peace operations. Through a combination of academic insights and historical examples, the authors synthesise the evolution of peace operations and critically asses their record since the creation of the United Nations. Diehl and Balas have not chosen the easy path of simply providing a copy of the first edition of this book, published in 2008. Instead, the authors clearly take stock of the constantly morphing nature of peace operations. The synthesising capacity of this book makes it a strong resource for scholars to draw from and further build upon. Its combination of theory and practice will have the reader return to this book time and time again, making it a must-have for every scholar studying peace operations."Political Studies Review

Paul F. Diehl is Henning Larsen Professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois.Alexandru Balas is Assistant Professor in the International Studies Program and Director of the Clark Center for International Education at the State University of New York College at Cortland.