When Peacekeepers Come Home
Over decades, several truths have emerged about United Nations peacekeeping forces. They can do immense good by separating combatants and pacifying civilian areas. They are, on occasion, guilty of sexual violence and financial corruption in the societies they have been sent to help. And increasingly, the troops are drawn from less wealthy countries, rather than the rich nations that finance the operations.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has focused on improving the peacekeepers’ performance in the challenging combat environments of “host” states like Mali and South Sudan. President Obama has committed the United States to supporting roughly 40,000 additional soldiers and police from 50 donor countries.… Seguir leyendo »