Critics of UN peacekeeping often charge that the Security Council is wont to authorize missions before it can be assured that Member States will pony up the requisite troops and equipment. By and large, this is an unfounded accusation, as the Secretary-General's recent recommendation [pdf] for the UN mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (MINURCAT) makes clear:
In order to achieve the required effect, the force should be led by high-quality commanders and provided the necessary capabilities, selected by the United Nations. In this regard, and in accordance with the Brahimi report (S/2000/809), it would be recommended that the Security Council consider leaving in draft form the resolution authorizing the deployment of the force until such time as the Secretariat has firm commitments of troops and other critical mission support elements from Member States.The 2000 "Brahimi report" that the S-G cites was a major doctrinal moment in UN peacekeeping, as it stipulated that missions should only be undertaken where there is a peace to keep and when they will be provided with the necessary component parts. Crafted in response to the rapid (over)expansion of UN peacekeeping in the mid-90's, the Brahimi report is now facing another significant test, as UN peacekeeping is being looked to in complex conflict zones like Ethiopia/Eritrea, Somalia, and Darfur.