Restoring and maintaining peace within war-torn societies is a relatively new task for the United Nations. This book examines the options for the UN in the use of force to secure peace, and the extent to which peacekeeping can be effectively extended to coerce warring factions. A combination of internationally distinguished academics and new scholars at the forefront of research are represented, making an important contribution to the debate about the role of international military operations in the maintenance of international peace and security.

This work discusses the fundamental question - should the UN command military engage in the extensive use of force at all, or contract out to more capable organizations - as well as a proposal for a UN Guard.