Evolution of UN Peacekeeping Missions: From Cold War Stalemate to Post-1988 Expansion

  • Post-Stalin Soviet Foreign Policy Shift (Nikita Khrushchev): After Stalin's death, Nikita Khrushchev (famously portrayed by Steve Buscemi in "The Death of Stalin") shifted Soviet policy away from fomenting revolution in Europe towards "peaceful coexistence." This was a pragmatic recognition that nuclear weapon proliferation on both sides made a successful large-scale war in Europe unlikely. Instead, the USSR focused on supporting "wars of national liberation" in the developing world.

  • Wars of National Liberation: This strategy involved supporting anti-colonial or anti-government movements, primarily in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

    • Crown Jewel: Cuba, with Fidel Castro's takeover.

    • Latin America: Numerous conflicts.

    • Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia.

    • Africa: Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, and the Southern Congo were prominent examples.

    • Superpower Proxy Wars: In these conflicts, the Soviets would typically support one side, and the Americans the other, leading to proxy battles.

  • The Congo Crisis and Early UN Peacekeeping:

    • Independence and Conflict: Congo gained independence from Belgium and immediately descended into factional civil war, with both the US and USSR supporting opposing sides. This was a "horrible, bloody civil war."

    • Dag Hammarskjöld's Intervention: Dag Hammarskjöld, then UN Secretary-General, convinced the US and USSR to back a UN peacekeeping mission, proposing it as an extension of previously successful missions in the Middle East. This resulted in a brief surge in troops deployed (visible on a troop deployment chart).

    • Mission Failure and Superpower Stalemate: The mission was considerably less successful than prior ones; the war did not stop. Khrushchev grew upset, alleging the UN mission provided cover for the anti-Maoist side (supported by Mobutu, who was anti-Soviet) to gain advantage. Consequently, the USSR pulled its support.

    • Post-Congo Stalemate on Peacekeeping: From the early 1960s1960s until 19881988, the two superpowers could no longer agree on sending UN peacekeeping missions to civil wars in the developing world. If one superpower desired a mission, the other would oppose it, and vice-versa, leading to a long period of inaction.

  • UN Peace Operations During the Cold War Stalemate (1960s1960s - 19881988):

    • Limited Scope: While some peace operations occurred, they were largely restricted to interstate conflicts (e.g., Middle Eastern wars, South Asian Peninsula conflicts, Cyprus between Greeks and Turks).

    • Regional Focus: Most missions were in the Middle East, North Africa, and some in South Asia and Europe (like Cyprus). They avoided civil wars in the developing world.

  • The Gorbachev Era and the Resurgence of UN Peacekeeping (Post-19881988):

    • Gorbachev's Speech: In 19881988, Mikhail Gorbachev addressed the UN General Assembly, stating the Soviet Union would no longer obstruct peacekeeping operations.

    • Immediate Increase: This led to a sharp, immediate increase in UN missions worldwide. Many long-standing wars (some going on for 3030 years) quickly ended as the UN could finally mediate and deploy peace operations without superpower vetoes.

    • Examples of Ended Conflicts: Wars throughout Central America (El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua), Cambodia (a 2020-year war with genocide), and Namibia were rapidly brought to a close.

    • Atmosphere of Optimism: There was a widespread belief in a new era of global peace and prosperity.

  • Post-19881988 Trends and Challenges in Peacekeeping:

    • Fluctuations: There have been