A SMALL POWER UNDER THE BLUE HELMET THE EVOLUTION OF BELGIAN PEACEKEEPING POLICY

Examines Belgium's participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Following a quantitative look at Belgium's post-Cold War military engagement, the historical development of that involvement is traced since 1989. At issue are Belgium's objectives, how those objectives are articulated in Belgian foreign policy, & the underlying factors driving the evolution occurring across three periods: 1989-1994, 1995-2003, & 2003 onward. Attention is given to the Rwandan genocide; the notion of "ethical diplomacy"; the Belgian military manpower issue & domestic politics as reasons for Belgium sitting out UN peacekeeping in the early 21st century until ISAF in Afghanistan, 2002; & Belgium's UNIFIL participation. Adapted from the source document.