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Originally Posted by b0ned0me
This is an interesting possibility, IMO. UN peacekeepers are whatever troops governments feel like contributing, operating under whatever rules of engagement their governments feel like imposing.
Usually they are from third world countries looking to earn a bit of extra cash, and 'peacekeeping' usually implies that things are already peaceful and just need someone to keep an eye on things with "not getting involved in a war" as their No1 priority.
But conceptually there's no reason why a first-rate military couldn't contribute some of their Tier-1 troops with orders that if trouble breaks out they pull a camo cover over the blue helmet and wipe out any troublemakers sharpish. E.g. if there was something fragile and of vital importance to their nation stuck in the middle of the peacekeeping zone - like perhaps a space elevator. If the space elevator was in Kenya and civil war broke out there, China/Russia/US might not want to invade or take responsibility for fixing the mess but might be willing to put some boots on the ground to keep anyone from damaging the elevator.
Seems unlikely. Combat operations in one of the most technically complex and hostile environments imaginable doesn't seem like the kind of thing where you want to trust your life to people you've snatched from a bar and are forcing to do their jobs at gunpoint. Nowadays most decent militaries don't even want to rely on draftees/conscripts - it's volunteer professionals all the way.
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Both good points.
"Peackeeping" troop commitments are political statements and most countries commit troops to those missions for political reasons and grandstanding, rather than operational military goals. Which is one reason why top-tier militaries are rarely found in those missions. Not sure how easy it would be for some country to slip in "ringers" for covert ops but it sounds like a sweet concept for a techno thriller.
Likewise, these days there are few missions for why top tier militaries could even use involuntary troops. There are cheaper and more effective ways of soaking up bullets and shrapnel. ;-)