Future of Peace Operations Program

Peace operations comprise peacekeeping—the provision of temporary post-conflict security by internationally mandated forces—and peacebuilding—those efforts undertaken by the international community to help a war-torn society create a self-sustaining peace. 

During 2006, FOPO has reported on the military's role in protecting civilians in conflict; on ways to improve the availability of international law enforcement personnel in peace operations; on best practices for fighting corruption in post-conflict settings; and on measures to reduce spoilers and promote accountability in peace operations. The program has also run a workshop series focused on these issues in Africa and issued a report on US military concerns with the International Criminal Court.

Current Research

Research and outreach on international support for establishing the rule of law in post-conflict settings focuses on five areas: • Options for the creation of a standing UN civilian police force and related criminal justice personnel; • Study on how best to apply the rule of law within peace operations to ensure personnel accountability; • Analysis and tracking of recommendations made by UN Panels of Experts to fight sanctions violations; • Assistance programs for enhancing border security, export controls, and customs in post-conflict states; and • Survey of best practices in corruption reduction in post-conflict settings.	The program has assessed the implementation of recommendations from the "Brahimi Report," a landmark UN publication calling for peacekeeping reform. Other research addresses the economic impact of peace operations on host nations.	Research focuses on the emerging capabilities of regional organizations to organize and lead their own peace operations, specifically African organizations and the European Union.
	The program tracks US policy towards peace operations, including the funding of UN missions and military training programs. The program is also examining perceptions of the International Criminal Court within the US military.	If called upon to intervene in a genocide or as a peacekeeping force, how are militaries prepared to protect civilians? The program is examining national militaries' and international organizations' operational capacity to prevent mass killing.

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