NATO
Combining Combat Readiness and Compassion (Summer 2001)
As NATO forces increasingly engage in "multi-faceted" operations that combine both military and humanitarian objectives, integrating NGOs into the process is crucial in establishing an armed force with "combat readiness [and] compassion." (NATO Review)
Analysis: Behind NATO Show of Unity: Some Vexing Issues (April 23, 1999)
Deutsche Presse-Agentur report on the link being drawn by one US Senator between European support for international institutions such as the ICC, and what he calls "a new form of isolationism emerging in Europe", manifesting itself in "excessive, passive reliance upon international law and international institutions such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court to provide the sole defence of our common interests and values".
The High Cost of NATO (April 23, 1999)
William D. Hartung's analyzes the costs of NATO operations, exemplified by the airstrike against Kosovo, and compares them with the considerably lower cost of UN and OSCE conflict prevention.
NATO and UN Involvement in Bosnia
A site at California Institute of Technology that documents relations between NATO and the UN in military operations in Bosnia. Site includes information and links. An interesting case that sheds light on the complexities of peacekeeping and the UN as a military enterprise.
Why World Should Reject NATO Strikes? (May 4, 1999)
A profound and very insightful analysis of US foreign policy, exemplified by the Kosovo war, the situtation in East Timor and other conflicts all over the world. Steven Gan states that "they like war and Governments who keep buying guns from them".
European Union and Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe
EU Ready to Field Rapid Reaction Force by 2003 (November 20, 2001)
Realizing its military and strategic ill-preparedness in the context of September 11th, the EU strengthened its commitment to establish the EU Rapid Reaction Force on time.(Irish Times)
The Militarisation of the European Union: A Civilisational Mistake (December 7, 2000)
The creation of an EU military force demonstrates that the EU is prioritizing regional militarism over multilateral peacekeeping. Even neutral Sweden is contributing 1500 troops to the EU force; there are currently only 192 UN Swedish peacekeepers. (Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research)
EU to Create 5,000-Strong Police Force, Says Dutch Paper (June 15, 2000)
In addition to creating a 60,000-strong rapid intervention force, the European Union proposed a creation of 5,000-strong police force to undertake future international crises by the year 2003. (BBC /'De Standaard', Groot-Bijgaarden)
Africa
France Promotes Southern Africa Peacekeeping Force (May 8, 2001)
France expands its initiative to encourage all African countries to provide peacekeepers for missions in the continent, not just former colonies. (Reuters)
ECOWAS, UN Continue Talks on Regional Security (March 10, 2001)
Since ECOWAS intervention in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the UN and ECOWAS have strengthened their cooperation on economic, social, political and security issues affecting the sub-region.
West Africa Goes on Discussing Regional Rapid Reaction Force (July 20, 2000)
Africa wants to take its problems in its own hands as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is proposing a rapid reaction force deployable in regional conflicts. (Xinhua News Agency)
Other
Commonwealth of Independent States: Collective Security Treaty Members Meet Over Afghanistan, Terrorism(November 29, 2001)
Collective Security Treaty members discussed how to better coordinate their foreign policy decisions and military and technical cooperation as the treaty is key to "guaranteeing security and stability in the post-Soviet world," and countering the threat of Islamic extremist groups in Central Asia. (Center for Defense Information )
Endgame Afghanistan; Only a Muslim UN Force can Secure Peace (October 14, 2001)
Because "no Western force would be either useful or acceptable to a majority of Afghans", peacekeepers should be recruited from Muslim countries and operate under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Conference and the UN. (Independent).
Preparations for French-led African Peacekeeping Exercises Complete (September 21, 2001)
More than 25 countries will participate in the multinational peacekeeping exercises under France's Reinforce African Peacekeeping Capacities (RECAMP) project.( Agence France Presse).
Reinforcement of African Peacekeeping Capacities (RECAMP)
RECAMP, a joint action of France's Defense and Foreign Ministries, aims to strengthen African countries' capacities to maintain security on the African continent.
