In the wake of the Cold War, peacekeeping-or, more appropriately, peace enforcing-is becoming an increasingly important role for military forces around the world. Because of the many other missions it has been responsible for, the U.S. Army has not participated significantly in United Nations peacekeeping missions in the past. That situation will almost certainly change in the future. Indeed, President George Bush's December 1992 decision to commit U.S. forces to a humanitarian peacekeeping role in Somalia may be indicative of the future use of our military forces. In 1991, two U.S. Army officers, Major George Steuber and Major James Faust, and a U.S. Marine, Major John Dill, were sent on a dual mission as liaison officers with the United Nations Advanced Mission to Cambodia and as part of the United Nations Transition Authority in Cambodia. The experiences of these officers offer a number of valuable lessons on the pitfalls and frustrations of being part of an international peacekeeping force. In this interview, Major Steuber shares with us a number of insights he gained during his tour in Cambodia. Officers who are themselves preparing to join peacekeeping missions will find Major Steuber's experiences and ideas particularly interesting. And those officers who perhaps never expect to participate in such missions will find much in Steuber's words to reflect upon.

"December 1992"--Foreword.