Kelley, David A. Peacekeeping: The Operational Concerns. Department Of Operations, Naval War College, Newport RI, Feb 1994.
This paper examines some of the concerns that an operational commander must consider in conducting a peacekeeping operation. The United States National Security Strategy pledges greater American involvement in peacekeeping operations and the United States military is gradually responding to this commitment. The unique aspects of peacekeeping operations are addressed, highlighting their differences from the American way of war. United States experience in peacekeeping operations is very limited, creating the need for education and training enhancements. This paper emphasizes ground operations although the operational concerns would be fundamentally the same for maritime peacekeeping operations. Peacekeeping operations are inherently dangerous due to their unique nature, and require a distinctly different approach than other military operations, at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels. The operational commander must maintain a firm grasp of the special considerations at each of the levels in order to facilitate achievement of the strategic objectives.