Peacekeeping Without the UN: The Multinational Force in Lebanon and International Law

Abstract

The concept of peacekeeping entails a fundamental contradiction, since its success depends upon the deployment of soldiers to deter armed conflict. Some notable peacekeeping efforts since World War II have sought to overcome this contradiction by stressing their impartial character, and by adopting procedures designed to guarantee the neutral behavior of their forces. Most such peacekeeping missions have been established and conducted under UN auspices, on the assumption that an international body could best approximate the neutral, detached perspective ideally suited to successful peacekeeping. Indeed, UN-sponsored missions have reinforced this assumption by adopting a legal and technical framework which enhanced their reputation as neutral intervenors. While the appearance of neutrality has not always averted controversy in peacekeeping efforts, it has generally increased their chances of success.