Fundamental reform of major international organisations is an urgent global priority. The whole international system is massively stressed, yet the operational environment will only become more complex. Unprecedented effort will be required to prevent failure. What then are the relative advantages of peacekeeping and stabilisation operations led by the United Nations compared with those of Nato, the European Union and ad hoc coalitions? What are the prospects for successful reform?

Prior to the Iraq invasion, most commentators considered that coalition operations would be more successful than other kinds. UN peacekeeping was stretched and struggling to improve strategic coherence and the integration of its missions, as well as trying to increase civilian police and rule-of-law capacities. Significant problems with the Kosovo mission were followed by the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad. Experts recalled Somalian, Balkan and Rwandan debacles and considered strategic failure of a major mission to be close.