Peacekeeping operations, defined by the United States Department of Defense as 'Efforts taken with the consent of the civil or military authorities of the belligerent parties to a conflict to maintain a negotiated truce in support of diplomatic efforts to achieve and maintain peace' (JCS Pub 3-07, 1990, p. xix), are an everyday part of the political landscape. The United States, Great Britain, France and many other countries have soldiers acting in this role worldwide. Global peacekeeping operations in unstable regions such as Cyprus or the Sinai are an integral part of maintaining stability and (ideally) avoiding further conflict. However, an equally important issue for all democracies, new and old, is that of domestic peacekeeping (internal security) within a country's own borders.

AD-A323 626