Frontline or Urban? UN Peacekeepers' Strategic Placement in Civil Wars

Where exactly are UN peacekeepers placed within a country's territory during conflict remains less understood. This article contrasts two distinct deployment logics: an instrumental approach targeting active conflict zones versus the logic of convenience, which prioritizes logistical ease.

Data & Methods

• Geographically and temporally disaggregated data from eight African countries between 1989 and 2006.

Key Findings

• Subnational peacekeeper deployments often occur near conflict areas.
• Despite this, there is a significant delay in their arrival on the frontline.
• Peacekeepers also frequently deploy near major urban centers within these nations.

This analysis underscores that understanding where peacekeepers are stationed matters greatly for evaluating their effectiveness and impact amidst complex subnational realities.