Glossary
- Peacekeeping
The interposition of a third-party military force to separate the armed forces of conflicting parties and reduce violence, normally at the request of the parties as part of a cease-fire agreement. Peacekeeping is now often associated with civil[ian] tasks, such as monitoring, policing and supporting humanitarian intervention. It may involve restoring the status quo, even if this preserves the underlying conflict and structural violence. Peacekeeping can be used both before the outbreak of open conflict as a means of prevention or after violence has ceased.