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United Nations

The United Nations plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of international security, humanitarian laws, and social progress. RAND has examined the efficacy and effectiveness of the United Nations in such areas as nation-building, peacekeeping, and stability operations.

Commentary

Unlearning the Lessons of Iraq

Trepidation about boots-on-the-ground engagement has unnecessarily forestalled even small-scale efforts to repair Libya's fractured security environment....Meanwhile, in Syria, the over-learned lessons of Iraq are taking an even more serious toll, writes Christopher Chivvis.

Mar 14, 2013
Report

The Benefits of Nation-Building Interventions Have Exceeded the Costs

Most interventions in the past 25 years have been followed by improved security, some degree of democratization, and significant economic growth—with only a modest commitment of international military and civilian manpower and economic assistance.

Feb 4, 2013
Commentary

U.S. Role in Kirkuk Could Promote Peace, Prevent Conflict in Northern Iraq

No matter which presidential candidate occupies the White House in January, he should make a concerted effort to address Iraq's most combustible hotspot: the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, writes Larry Hanauer.

Nov 5, 2012
Report

Resolving Kirkuk: Lessons Learned from Settlements of Earlier Ethno-Territorial Conflicts

Past efforts to resolve ethno-territorial conflicts in Brčko, Mostar, Northern Ireland, and Jerusalem provide insights that could facilitate a negotiated settlement of the status of the disputed Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

May 9, 2012
Report

The Challenges of International Intervention in the Wake of Conflict

Governments intervening in post-conflict states face challenges and dilemmas regarding stabilization and reconstruction, where measures that may improve conditions in one respect may undermine them in another. A review of relevant literature seeks to inform strategic planning at the whole-of-government level.

Oct 10, 2011
Report

Managing Arab-Kurd Tensions in Northern Iraq After the Withdrawal of U.S. Troops

Continuing tensions between Arab and Kurdish communities in Iraq could lead to inadvertent armed conflict unless Iraqi leaders resolve outstanding disputes regarding federalism, the legal and political status of disputed territories, and the management of northern Iraq's oil and gas resources.

Jul 25, 2011
Commentary

Odd Man Out at Sea

The United States has yet to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. As a result, the U.S., the world's leading maritime power, is at a military and economic disadvantage, write Thad W. Allen, Richard L. Armitage, and John J. Hamre.

Apr 25, 2011
Commentary

Industry Insights: What's So Hard About Stopping Piracy?

Containing persistent maritime disorder might be more fruitful and could lay the foundations for a successful transition to better use of the sea once the societal factors—an even longer term problem—have been resolved, writes Laurence Smallman.

Apr 11, 2011
Commentary

The Allies in Libya: A New Paradigm for Intervention?

What has been happening in North Africa this year, in what seems to be the leading edge of a great wind of change sweeping the Arab world, will require the Europeans (along with the U.S. and others) to be deeply and durably engaged there — economically, politically and in humanitarian terms, writes Robert E. Hunter.

Apr 10, 2011
News Release

European Union Has Developed a Nascent, but Growing Capacity to Deploy and Employ Armed Force

Over the past few years, the European Union has demonstrated the capacity to deploy and employ armed force outside its borders in support of broader common policy objectives, creating a new player in nation-building operations.

Jul 8, 2008
Commentary

China's Responsibility to Protect: The Nation Can Help Citizens in Myanmar, Sudan

Of all countries remiss in their responsibility to protect human rights, China bears special scrutiny because of its influence with the Myanmar and Sudanese regimes, writes David C. Gompert.

Jun 17, 2008
Commentary

An Independent Kosovo Was a Part of the U.N.'s Plan

Diplomatic wrangling over Kosovo’s declaration of independence this week has created a good deal of misunderstanding about the U.N. Security Council Resolution that defines that society’s current status and future evolution, writes James Dobbins.

Feb 25, 2008
Testimony

A Comparative Evaluation of United Nations Peacekeeping

James Dobbins discusses the performance of the United Nations in peacekeeping missions in testimony presented before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight.

Jun 11, 2007
Commentary

What's to Stop Kim Now?

Published commentary by RAND staff: What's to Stop Kim Now?, in International Herald Tribune.

Oct 17, 2006
Journal Article

Law and Order in an Emerging Democracy: Lessons from the Reconstruction of Kosovo's Police and Justice Systems

This study examines the reconstruction by the United Nations of Kosovo's internal security infrastructure from 1999 to 2004.

Jan 1, 2006
Commentary

NATO's Role in Nation-building

Published commentary by RAND staff: NATO's Role in Nation-building in NATO Review.

Dec 8, 2005
Report

The UN's Role in Nation-Building: From the Congo to Iraq

Reviews UN nation-building efforts to transform unstable countries into democratic, peaceful, and prosperous partners, and compares those efforts to U.S.-led missions.

Jan 30, 2005
Report

The RAND History of Nation-Building: The Role of the U.S. and the UN

This two-volume set examines United States and United Nations nation-building missions since World War II. Its purpose is to analyze military, political, humanitarian, and economic activities in post-conflict situations, determine key principles for success, and draw implications for future nation-building missions.

Jan 1, 2005
Commentary

'Oil for Food' Worked

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Dec 10, 2004
Commentary

The U.N.'s Strengths and Weaknesses in Iraq

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Feb 18, 2004

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RAND Topic:
United Nations

Topic Synonyms:
U.N.;
UN

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