International organisations in global politics Essay

International organisations in global politics - Essay Example This essay discusses how the UN peacekeeping organisations have prevented conflict in the past and whether these strategies need change or improvement. The paper discusses the social, political and economic contexts with in which a successful UN peace-keeping mission can be carried out to avoid armed conflictUN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after decades of conflict. The blue helmets and their civilian colleagues work together to organize elections, enact police and judicial reform, promote and protect human rights, conduct mine-clearance, advance gender equality, achieve the voluntary disarmament of former combatants, and support the return of refugees and displaced people to their homes." Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace."1The functions of such missions are to monitor and maintain peace processes in war torn areas and help promote post war rebuilding and the enforcement of peace agreements.The post Cold war Era has seen an increase within international peace and security operations, to maintain peace within the international system ,restrict armed conflict and promote rehabilitation of war torn countries.The UN Charter empowers the UN Security Council to take collective action and to authorize peacekeeping operations' initiates and maintains most of these operations. Academics have often had been sceptic at effectiveness and success of peacekeeping missions with areas affected by civil war and armed conflict. Today the UN peacekeepers (the blue helmets) are deployed in war torn locations around the world. According to recent statistics; "As of January 1, 2004, 13 "blue helmet" missions still exist. With the full deployment of the 15,000-member Liberian stabilization force, the total number of UN peacekeepers will be just under 50,000, the biggest total since the early 1990s and an increase of some 6,000 from the same period in 2003. Actual deployed strength at the start of the year stands at 45,815 troops, military observers, and civilian police from 91 countries. They are supported by 3,241 international civilians and 6,497 local civilians. The U.S. contribution is 518 spread to seven missions-494 civilian police, 22 military observers, and two "troops" with the new Liberia peacekeeping mission. In addition, there are 12 political and peace building missions. Many observers expect that 2004 will see three new peacekeeping deployments, all in Africa: Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burundi".2 The chart portrays the number of UN missions at the end of each year since 1989. The table lists the 13 ongoing UN peacekeeping operations as of January 1, 2004. 3 Figure I: UN Peacekeeping Operations (The figure for each year is the number of operations at the end of that year. The numbers on the left indicate the number of missions.) After the end of the Cold War the international community and the UN have moved beyond the notions and practices of "traditional peacekeeping" and their presence is more and more pronounced with in civil conflicts, monitoring .They are also involved in the management and operation of peace. The UN Charter empowers the United Nations Secretary-General to dispatch personal representatives or create "offices" or missions to advise and promote good governance and national or regional stability. The deployment of "blue helmets" can be led by an experienced military commander; 4for one of the following functions

World War 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

World War 1 - Essay Example In May 1915, a German submarine successfully sank a British ocean liner â€Å"Lusitania† and killed approximately 128 U.S citizens out of the total 1,200 individuals who were in the ocean liner. Even after this event, the United States still remained neutral but they kept on assisting the Allies materially. On the other hand, the Americans viewed the Germans as aggressors. This is because they used U-boats and submarines to attack the ships which were carrying relief aid to the Allies. Their main aim was to starve the British and force them to surrender. The Americans also felt connected to the citizens of Great Britain because of their cultural similarities. After the sinking of Lusitania, the Americans faced a national security threat, hence; most of the citizens urged the government to join forces with the Allied Powers to fight against the Germans. The main cause of the war was because the British intercepted a telegram from the Germans. This telegram was being sent to the Mexican Government. The telegram was named after its sender Arthur Zimmerman. The Zimmerman telegram noted that Mexico was to declare war on America in order to conquer states such as New Mexico, Arizona and Texas in case there was a war between Germany and USA. Research also asserts that the involvement of the United States in World War I was attributed by propaganda from both sides. The US president did not want to get involved with the war but, when Teddy Roosevelt made a decision for running for presidency, Wilson felt threatened, and he announced that there was a high possibility of the country going to war. The main aim of President Wilson was to enhance safety in the world and promote democracy in the United States. Thus, the United States of America declared war against German on 6th April, 1917. Question b: Why did the Allies win World War I? World War I comprised of two powerful forces. The Allies comprised of Poland, the United Kingdom, China, France, United States and t he Soviet Union among other countries. Research asserts that the Allies won World War I because they were more powerful and prepared as compared to the Central Powers. It is quite clear that World War I was an attrition war and Germany lacked most of the resources at the end. The British had blocked all the supplies. The Allies had also waited to for the United Stated to join the war. The United States facilitated the win after they deployed new technological weapons which were used in the warfare against the Central Powers. On the other hand, the Allies had enough resources from the United States. This that the USA played a significant role in World War I. Germany was equipped with a massive army, therefore; they were destined to lose due to scarcity of resources. After 1914, the German army gave up the plan to the Allies who were located on the Western front. In this period, the Allies made several mistakes, which led to numerous deaths. In 1918, they united together and deployed new tactics, which involved the use of tanks and airplanes in the war. The use of this machinery significantly overpowered the Germans who were underdeveloped in terms of technology. The ultimate defeat of the Germans was enhanced by the blockage of German ports by the British. This led to the German Revolution and the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm. The Germans had also lost the war after the failure of the Schlieffen Plan. Various scholars claim that the Allies were able to win the war because the Germans did not have adequate food and resources to sustain them in the warfare. Question c: What were the goals and terms of Wilson’s 14 Points and Versailles Treaty? On 8th January, 1918, President Wilson