ABSTRACT
This chapter examines France's doctrinal evolution vis-à-vis UN peace operations in three parts. It first looks at the immediate post-Cold War era when the French engagement in UN-led operations-in Bosnia and Herzegovina in particular-did not proceed with a sound conceptualization of the meaning of peace operations. The difficulties encountered led to a series of lessons learned that resulted in France moving away from UN-led operations while maintaining a strong presence in crisis management outside of the UN operational framework. The second part goes through France's doctrinal adaptation and attempts to grasp the complexity and multidimensionality of contemporary peace operations. Incrementally, France's doctrinal documents factor in the necessity of a wide-ranging response that goes beyond the military aspects, while reasserting the key principles of military action. Finally, the chapter sheds light on some ambiguities of the French doctrinal effort regarding peace operations and most specifically the role that force should play in them.
