Is Ireland's Peacekeeping model fit for purpose?

[danno]

Yep. we benefit from free trade. but other counties do our dirty work. Sometimes Riverdance and "everybody loves the Irish" is not enough.

There was a time we were more greatfull. Like when we build Nelsons Colum in gratitude for the trade routes being reopened.

Were we ever really grateful considering the official shabby treatment of those who actually went to the trouble of joining the BA and confronting the Nazi facist murderers?

[Turkey]

Were we ever really grateful considering the official shabby treatment of those who actually went to the trouble of joining the BA and confronting the Nazi facist murderers?

Not really an issue for this section of the site to be honest...

[danno]

Irish politicians always fear being the guy who sent Irishmen out to die, which is why they try not to send troops out on potentially "warry" UN missions and they love the kudos of being associated with the Irish and the UN.

Very much so, the DF abroad seem to have cultivated a soft image (as opposed to an aggressive one) that is appropriate to constabularly /humanitarian/peace ops . Mind you the 'heads who confronted the DF relieving the isolated P'Pinos on the Golan in 2014 acquired a different perception of the DF.

[Galloglass]

Were we ever really grateful considering the official shabby treatment of those who actually went to the trouble of joining the BA and confronting the Nazi facist murderers?

Don't forget the guys who flew off to join the Luftwaffe......

MOD:This is a warning. The Mods have already told you this was off topic

[DeV]

Very much so, the DF abroad seem to have cultivated a soft image (as opposed to an aggressive one) that is appropriate to constabularly /humanitarian/peace ops . Mind you the 'heads who confronted the DF relieving the isolated P'Pinos on the Golan in 2014 acquired a different perception of the DF.

Professional and capable

Not just on the Golan

[Flamingo]

Very much so, the DF abroad seem to have cultivated a soft image (as opposed to an aggressive one) that is appropriate to constabularly /humanitarian/peace ops . Mind you the 'heads who confronted the DF relieving the isolated P'Pinos on the Golan in 2014 acquired a different perception of the DF.

Is there a full account of that anywhere in the public domain? The news stories at the time were (understandably) a bit scarce on detail.

[EUFighter]

Something that seems to be getting little coverage is the cut in the UN Peacekeeping budget.
http://m.france24.com/en/20170701-un...ur-ivory-coast
Although some of the reasons why the US wants to cut the budget could be valid. That is that poorer countries only send troops to get the money this is not the way to get reform. It is well known the US opposition to UN missions and the current Administration being even more so. But I find the lack of open debate discussing.
Yes the UN is not perfect and needs reform, but this seems a lot like the Obamacare debate. Lets get rid of something so the rich can save money. To put it in perspective the cuts would not fund a replacement destroyer for the one damaged last week. It is less than 0.1% of the total US defence budget.
Now the next question will be what happens to our Peacekeeping troops as each deployment come up for renewal at the UN? Will the US push to end UNIFIL? Will China step up and replace the US as the prime supporter of UN Blue Helmets?

[TangoSierra]

On the counter arguement, some of the wasteful spending on missions is jaw dropping

[EUFighter]

On the counter arguement, some of the wasteful spending on missions is jaw dropping

Totally agree, but each time there is a mission the call goes out for troops and who is never first in the line with offers (apart from the Korean war), the US. They have a military which spend more than the rest of the world together but it is missing. They need to engage and help reform rather than just cutting for domestic Agenda.

[DeV]

UNOCI has just closed due to mission success.
MINUSTAH is closing later this year to be replaced by a smaller justice support mission.
UNMIL is much reduced.

The UN missions should be creating the space to allow long term solutions to be created and not be prolonged ops (15+ year ops).

There are talks about UNFICYP at the minute, with the UK talking about handing over SBA territory.

UNIFIL and UNDOF you need to factor in Syria, AQ/ISIS and regional stability. Similar can be said for MINUSCA and MINUSMA, also MONUSCO.

MINURSO and UNMOGIP should have political solutions at this stage.

Not sure what the situation is in various ops in the countries/regions in and around South Sudan.

[TangoSierra]

If an American is not in charge of the mission I don't think it would be acceptable in domestic politics.
Don't see too many Chinese or Russian heads of missions either

[expat01]

If an American is not in charge of the mission I don't think it would be acceptable in domestic politics.
Don't see too many Chinese or Russian heads of missions either

It'll be a while before the first. Thank your lucky stars if the second doesn't materialise.

[DeV]

If an American is not in charge of the mission I don't think it would be acceptable in domestic politics.
Don't see too many Chinese or Russian heads of missions either

I think it is by design possibly to do with independence

[DeV]

Interesting overview here
http://www.providingforpeacekeeping....ofile-ireland/

[Flamingo]

Interesting overview here
http://www.providingforpeacekeeping....ofile-ireland/

An.interesting read (and quite well written!)

[DeV]

An.interesting read (and quite well written!)

Also interesting to see other countries profiles

[DeV]

Well to answer the question of the thread


If seems to be as we have just won a seat on the UNSC for the next 2 years off the back of it (Norway got the other seat, Canada didn’t)

[na grohmiti]

Lots of backlash in Canada at their poor showing given what they spent to encourage certain nations to vote for them.
Now, our government who used the Defence Forces in their campaign, hammering home the 52 years of unbroken UN service, now need to put their money where their mouth was and support the Defence Forces.

[Sparky42]

Lots of backlash in Canada at their poor showing given what they spent to encourage certain nations to vote for them.
Now, our government who used the Defence Forces in their campaign, hammering home the 52 years of unbroken UN service, now need to put their money where their mouth was and support the Defence Forces.

Given they reportedly spent twice as much as us and are a G7 nation you can see why, as to the rest of your post, totally agree.

[Laners]

Canada using a Celine Dione concert to influence votes was not the smartest move , obviously Canada thought we all regard her as highly as they do .

[na grohmiti]

Canada using a Celine Dione concert to influence votes was not the smartest move , obviously Canada thought we all regard her as highly as they do .

Canada think their great because next to their neighbours, they look good. But they have many of the same problems as the US with regards to Police mistreatment of first nation people, and their citizens aren't exactly too enamoured with Trudeau's minority government either.

[DeV]

Canada using a Celine Dione concert to influence votes was not the smartest move , obviously Canada thought we all regard her as highly as they do .

She’s no U2

[GoneToTheCanner]

I read an account where a Mowag gunner,under orders, shot two "rebels/fighter/insert name and type of enemy here" off a motorcycle, as part of one of those rescue operations, as they were seen to be bearing an RPG with intent. No-one appears to have batted an eyelid, official or otherwise, so clearly the kid gloves were off, weapons were hot and action was expected. This is quite the contrast to previous actions and events in UNIFIL,going way back.

[DeV]

From news:
https://forum.irishmilitaryonline.co...987#post481987

The report:
https://assets.gov.ie/94889/8440bb99...0d7998b2e3.pdf


Of course doesn’t suggest that we may actually draw down some EU money to help the Defence Forces

[na grohmiti]

The mere thought of it seems to have sent some in DPER reaching for the comfort blankie.