Military's Role in International Peacekeeping.
The United States should conduct peacekeeping operations in other countries. By helping to achieve a more stable, secure and peaceful world, America can hope that the world's economy will thrive and individuals in other countries, as well as American citizens will benefit. If the human race wants a more peaceful world peacekeeping is the answer. U.S. peacekeeping missions have taken place in such places as Somalia and East Timor. .
Peacekeeping initially developed during the Cold War. With nations threatening each other with nuclear bombs, the world had to find ways to deescalate regional conflicts. Another reason peacekeeping came around is that the international community thought that it could save lives of innocent civilians during a humanitarian crisis.
Peacekeepers help to spread democracy. The main purpose of peacekeepers is to help two warring parties make an agreement and stop hostile actions. Former Defense Secretary Perry said "Democracy is learned behavior. Many nations today have democracies that exist on paper, but are fragile. Elections are a necessary but insufficient condition for a free society. It is also necessary to embed democratic values in the key institutions of nations". Peacekeeping involves the United Nations (UN) getting consent from two nations concerned, to help come to an agreement. Mediation efforts rely on opposing parties consenting to certain conditions. (Mackinlay 3).
The traditional role of the United States Military is to protect the nation within its own borders. If there is aggression against the U.S., troops are deployed to stop the threat. In most countries that help contribute to peacekeeping, soldiers are more in tune to war, than to peacekeeping. After the Cold War approach to war changed. Instead of going head to head, trying to make peace came into play. (Benton 2) .
When the UN gets involved with two arguing nations, it is supposed to be impartial.
