UN peace operations and Asian security

The evolution in UN peace operations and the new strategies being adopted present both hope and concern for the countries in Asia. The initiatives in crafting more proactive responses to prevent conflicts and improve the operational components in peacekeeping reinforce the faith the region has placed in the UN as the legitimate body responsible for maintaining world peace. But concerns about lack of representation from developing countries in deciding mandates, as well as more intrusive initiatives, such as the report on The Responsibility to Protect, highlight the dilemma faced by states with regard to their desire for a more inclusive and responsible UN and the tensions these generate in protecting regional norms and practices in peace operations. Reprinted by permission of Frank Cass & Co. Ltd.