NEW: Follow the Editorial Staff on
StrategyPage Twitter Link

GROUND COMBAT +

AIR COMBAT +

NAVAL OPERATIONS +

SPECIAL OPERATIONS +

HUMAN FACTORS +

SPECIAL WEAPONS +

WARFARE BY THE NUMBERS +

LOGISTICS +

TOOLS +


Visit StrategyPage's US Cavalry Store
Peacekeeping Article Index : Current 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
 Latest
 News 		  Most
 Read 		  Most
 Commented		  Hot
 Topics

October 21, 2003

The long time rule of thumb for successful peacekeeping (or Occupation & Stabilization) is that twenty troops are needed for each thousand inhabitants in the country. But this has not been the case in many recent peacekeeping operations. In Iraq there are 6 foreign troops per thousand Iraqis, and in Afghanistan there are .5 per 1,000. In African countries, peacekeeping missions have often succeeded with five or fewer troops per thousand inhabitants. What makes the difference is the quality of the troops, and the intensity and professionalism of the opposition. Despite the sensationalist headlines about the Iraqi operations, most of the country is at peace. And the foreign troops available are dealing with the remaining Iraqis loyal to the deposed government. Same thing in Afghanistan. In both cases, the resistance is from fighters who have little support of any kind. In most recent peacekeeping situations, the local armed groups were not much interested in continued fighting. That made pacification a lot easier. When there is continued resistance, it's usually better trained and equipped peacekeepers versus less capable locals. The local fighters rarely prevail.
submit to reddit
Send Link to a Friend

   






New Strategy - Wargames at Discount Prices
1.Modern Air Power: War Over the Middle East
2.Commander: Napoleon at War
3.Close Combat: Watch am Rhein
4.Gallic Wars
5.Fast Action Battle: The Bulge

100+ Computer and Board games all with free shipping.
 
 
 

StrategyWorld.com© 1998 - 2009StrategyWorld.com. All rights Reserved. StrategyWorld.com, StrategyPage.com, FYEO, For Your Eyes Only and Al Nofi's CIC are all trademarks of StrategyWorld.com Privacy Policy