Is robust peacekeeping an answer to the spoiler problem?the case of the expanded UNIFIL

Resumen

Over the last few decades, robust peacekeeping has been considered an answer to the spoiler problem in UN missions. The expanded UNIFIL constituted a good test for this new doctrine of robustness, but it has provided mixed results. On the one hand, the level of violence in southern Lebanon has been dramatically reduced. On the other hand, the degree to which UNIFIL's mandate has been fulfilled is limited at best, and the authority of the Lebanese gobernment has not been enhanced. At the same time, the level of hostility between Hezbollah and Israel has not decreased. Moreover, the UN peacekeepers have been ery reluctant to use force, and the robust character of the mission has been downgraded to prevent more incidents. Therefore, robust missions do not seem to be the best tool to deal with powerful spoilers that cannot be deterred by the presence of a robust UN peacekeeping mission, and more traditional methods of peacekeeping maintain their usefulness as conflict management instruments.