In this 4th episode, we examine peacekeeping missions that unfolded in extreme conditions, aiming to protect civilians and advance political solutions - and the moments when they failed to do so.

Srebrenica, 1995 - A “Safe Zone” Lost

During the Srebrenica genocide, UN peacekeepers from Dutchbat were unable to prevent the massacre of more than 8,000 Bosniaks by Bosnian Serb forces, despite the town’s designation as a UN “safe zone.” The failure stemmed from limited mandates, insufficient troops, and political constraints imposed by the UN Security Council.

League of Nations, 1939 - Finland Abandoned

This was not the first time an international organisation proved powerless. In 1939, the League of Nations expelled the Soviet Union after its invasion of Finland in the Winter War - a rare sanction against a major power. The move underscored the League’s inability to enforce collective security as the world edged toward World War II.

Rwanda, 1994 & Somalia, 1993 - The Human Cost of Weak Mandates

Other UN failures include the Rwandan genocide, where a drastically reduced mission could not stop the killing of around 800,000 people, and the Battle of Mogadishu, which revealed the vulnerability of peacekeepers in complex civil wars.

The Recurring Challenge

These episodes point to a persistent truth: peacekeeping success depends on the political will of powerful states, clear rules of engagement, and adequate resources. Without them, even well-intentioned missions can collapse, leaving civilians unprotected and undermining trust in international governance.

Interview by David Glaser

Photo © United Nations Photo Library

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