This critically acclaimed book, used in graduate courses at Columbia, Georgetown, and other major universities, is even more relevant now than when first published in 1998. In 2000, with the UN undertaking bold and dangerous new peacekeeping missions to East Timor, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, and else-where, UN peacekeepers are in the forefront of international peace and security once again. Based on a strategic analysis - the level at which military operations and politics meet - this updated edition analyses and explains the strategy of the UN military operations conduct-ed since 1948 and clarifies exactly what role the UN and other international actors can hope to play in the global security arena. In an increasingly volatile world, Blue Helmets should be required reading for all students of international affairs.