capable of operating as effectively and safely as possible. “The increasing use of armoured
vehicles and technology, improved communications, information gathering and analysis,
training and quality medical care, as well as guard units, are some of the most effective
ways to keep our personnel safe, and I will continue to pursue advances across all of those
fronts.” For that pursuit, a small Strategic Planning and Monitoring Cell was established in
the Office of the Secretary-General. Also, special missions and political missions would
continue to receive guard units, such as in the Central African Republic and Somalia. The
Secretary-General also emphasized the strategy of adopting widely-available and cost-
effective technologies for improving the safety and security of peacekeepers and assets.
Additionally, the UN has since ensured provision of on-demand specialized training and
guidance to enhance protection, such as for the challenge of IEDs.
This work by the UN to protect its peacekeepers is indeed a good news story – but one that
merits continued attention, goal-setting, and tracking.
Recommendations.
The author of “Asymmetric threats to peace operations,” which is the primary source of this
lesson, makes the following recommendations:
1. Strengthen the integrated approach: A more integrated approach at the strategic level
for the UN system as a whole is required to move beyond short-term, security-focused
counter-terrorism in peace operations. Synergies could be sought between peace
operations and other organizations and instruments, such as the Counter-Terrorism
Committee and its Executive Directorate, as well as the newly established UN Counter-
Terrorism Office.
2. Deepen understanding of operating environment: The Secretariat and member
states could further improve and integrate information and intelligence gathering and
sharing within missions before deployment and at a tactical level during the mission. This
requires, among other things, foot patrols and increased contact with the local population.
3. Generate more sophisticated and predictable uniformed capabilities: Peacekeepers
in asymmetric threat environments require different kinds of equipment, training and
posture. For example, their vehicles need to be IED resistant and their personnel need to
have counterinsurgency rather than conventional warfare training, focused on winning the
hearts and minds of the local population.
4. Improve coherence and implementation of existing policies: Many documents and
policies are not being implemented because, for example, the responsible person has
moved on. It is important that UN policies are implemented and taken on board by police-
and troop-contributing countries in a more systematic way. In the long term, this will
increase the interoperability of countries deploying in peace operations.
Event Description.
This lesson is based on information in the following sources:
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