This project seeks to identify ways of increasing the effectiveness of multilateral
peacekeeping and enforcement. The project examines recent UN operations in Yugoslavia, Somalia, Cambodia, Rwanda, Liberia and Angola. It explores what conditions justify UN intervention in intrastate conflicts, what forms of intervention are most promising in ethno-nationalist conflicts, and how the international community can more effectively prevent genocide and "ethnic cleansing" in the future. The project attempts to identify particular conflict conditions that correspond to a variety of different types of possible involvement by the international community as it seeks to maintain peace or prevent gross violations of human rights.

Supported by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Peace, the project is directed by Senior Fellow Robert C. Johansen. Johansen has produced several publications for the project, which also includes a book drawing lessons from the most recent and difficult cases of peacekeeping and enforcement, co-authored by Johansen, senior fellow Raimo Väyrynen, and visiting fellow Richard Conroy.