ABSTRACT
The study of peace enforcement as a comprehensive and integral UN process for the resolution of serious conflicts has been increasingly challenged by the influence of the great powers. It is argued that major enforcement actions authorised by the Security Council were instigated by the United States. This argument is very common in the literature about the Korean War in 1950 and the Kuwait crisis in 1990-91. During these crises the following questions are frequently asked:
1. Is the enforcement action a UN or US action? 2. Is the relation between the UN and US based on cooperation or
exploitation? 3. Can a UN which is largely dependent on the leadership of the US achieve
the objectives of collective security?
