ABSTRACT
The UN missions in Mali and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) utilize military force in ways that fundamentally challenge the bedrock peacekeeping principles of consent, impartiality, and the non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate. The combination of more assertive mandate language and coercive military action finds few precedents from former UN operations. The consequences for future peace operations if more forceful military operations are conducted without proper doctrinal guidance. This chapter draws on experiences from Mali and the DRC. It argues that the time has come to revise the UN's bedrock principles to better guide blue helmets in contemporary robust peace operations, as they emerge as an alternative for protecting weak governments and civilians targeted by insurgents and predatory armed groups. Finally, the chapter proposes a revision of current doctrine that is more in line with recent developments on the ground.
