Jennifer Welsh on Ethical Challenges of UN Peacekeeping | Carnegie Council

March 13, 2025 |聽Director聽Jennifer Welsh聽and聽Jean-Marie Gu茅henno were hosted by聽Juris Pupcenoks聽and聽Brian A. Mateo from . The leading聽practitioners grapple with critical questions for UN peacekeeping聽operations as they present unique ethical challenges for both multilateral actors and local communities. "In some instances we can see that there can be tensions between what is sometimes referred to as the 鈥減rimacy of politics鈥 and the protection of civilians, for example, when advancement of a mission鈥檚 immediate political goals makes civilian and uniformed personnel in a mission reluctant to confront national or local authorities over actions that threaten or harm civilians. In particular conflict parties and host governments often retain significant leverage and agency, which can limit the UN鈥檚 ability to fully implement the mandate. This is something that is a constant tension for peacekeepers," explains Welsh in the podcast.