ABSTRACT

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book first identifies key features of stabilization, based upon a qualitative review of already-developed concepts and doctrine of stabilization, building upon key representative historical cases. It then reviews those UN peace operations that currently have stabilization in their names and mandates to identify to what extent these could indeed be considered stabilization in contemporary doctrinal terms. The book considers how UN peace operations concepts and practice might merit from a conceptualization and definition of stabilization and a clearer demarcation between peacekeeping, stabilization, and counterinsurgency operations. It concludes with a recommendation that the UN should not just include stabilization into existing peacekeeping doctrine, but rather add a new standalone UN stabilization doctrine that provides for the possibility of offensive mandates, where deemed necessary.