The challenges of post-Cold War peacekeeping

This dissertation compares Cold War peacekeeping missions with missions in the Post Cold War era, identifying reasons for the success of the former and the failure of the latter. The author dissects the basic components of Classical Peacekeeping (Cold War era) and states that the conceptual framework of Classical Peacekeeping is not applicable in the Post Cold War era. Based on an examination of five case studies, the author suggests that the constraints of Classical Peacekeeping have prevented the United Nations from gaining control of conflicts in countries to which they have sent missions in the Post Cold War Era. This dissertation provides in-depth case analysis of two Cold War peacekeeping missions: the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP); and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) as well as three Post Cold War Era Peacekeeping missions: United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM); the United Nations Assistance Mission to Rwanda (UNAMIR), and the United Nations Protections Force (UNPROFOR). Finally, the author also examines the Post-Cold War effects on the Security Council and the Secretary General's approach to peacekeeping.