Troubled Future for the United Nations (UN) Use of Force and Peace Operations

Öz The purpose of this article is to examine the hindrances of the UN‟s use of force and peace operations. Analyzing shortfalls which affect the UN‟s capacity at this context requires systemic, structural, institutional and conjunctural assessments. Considering cause and result relations one can easily reach to the conclusion that there is an imbalance on applying use of force and peace operations. Unless the UN preserves the delicate balance between sovereignty rights of the states and human rights, and principles of international law, reforms at the technical, tactical or operational levels has little to meet expectations. The UNSC‟s dominant role on decision making process, political struggle between global powers, and systemic problems such as limitations of complementary institutions, failure of collective defence, and operational deficiencies, hinder the capacity of the UN‟s use of force and peace operations. Current balance of power which is highly different both from the settings of the Cold War and 1990s while stagnating use of force applications overburdens peace operations. This situation obliges the UN to manage conflicts with less appropriate tools. Hence there is need for a renewed focus on peace and security issues with a stronger determination of the UN with extensive coordination and cooperation.

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