This course delves into the vagaries of Peacekeeping Operations, an activity that the modern strategic environment has made more frequent and more necessary. But our record of Peacekeeping is a spotted one. We and our allies have done some things well and some not so well. Themes to consider as we go forward studying Peacekeeping Operations:
What makes some operations fail?
Where do we see the roots of the successful ones?
What causes the difficulty for leaders back home at the political level in seeing the realities on the ground; how does this myopia impact?
Are we improving in our ability to conduct these operations, or should we avoid doing them at all?
What is changing in the art of warfare and with it the nature of peacekeeping operations?
What are the parameters of successful Peacemaking?
In assessing the results of a Peacekeeping Operations, what are the traits of leadership that seem to combine for success?
Are we learning?
We will work hard to improve writing skills. Many of you intend to serve in government. To do so effectively, one must be able to write clear and uncomplicated prose. To that end students will submit a 15 page paper analyzing a peacekeeping operation of your choice. Students will submit a two page proposal stating your proposed topic and initial plan for research to me electronically before Class 5 on Date. Rough drafts will be due electronically to me by the beginning of Class 12 on Date. I will return them with a preliminary grade before Class 13 on Date. Students will then have two weeks to refine their essays which will be due to me electronically before the last class begins. I will do my best to have your graded final papers back to you before you leave campus in the Spring.
Grades will be based on in-class participation and on the final paper.