United Nations Peacekeeping Offensive Operations

brief review of: ‘South Africa and United Nations Peacekeeping Offensive Operations - Conceptual Models’

Dr. Garcia’s commendable monograph on United Nations Offensive Peacekeeping Operations is an exceedingly well thought out examination of possible future evolutions of Peacekeeping in general.

Written from the perspective of a former officer in the South African National Defence Force, it can serve as a primer for government officials, military theoreticians, and the intellectually curious alike.

Despite its relative brevity, a wealth of well-sourced, detailed information, and cogent conceptualizing, makes for a worthwhile addition to the military section of anyone’s personal library.

Dr. Garcia’s book, and work in general, should be on the acquisition short-list for all serious thinkers.

• Will Beaumarchais

Dr. Antonio Garcia, FRGS, CGeog, PMP, is a civil servant, who also holds several non-resident and visiting academic positions: a research fellow at Stellenbosch University Department of Military History, visiting lecturer at Durham University, Global Security Institute, and tutor at the Open University and the University of South Africa. Antonio has worked at the intersection of international peace and security, training; research and development; and doctrine and policy. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, certified Chartered Geographer (RGS-IBG), member of the Academic Council of the United Nations System and is a Project Management Professional (PMI). A former visiting scholar at New York University, he holds degrees in military science, geography and history, and has published books and articles on peacekeeping and military history.

To buy Dr. Garcia’s book please click here:

Dr. Garcia also has graciously offered a free PDF version of his book here:

referenced in interview and book:

United Nations Force Intervention Brigade

The United Nations Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) is a military formation which constitutes part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo(MONUSCO). It was authorized by the United Nations Security Council on 28 March 2013 through Resolution 2098.[2] Although it is not the first instance in which the use of force was authorized by the UN, the Force Intervention Brigade is the first UN peacekeeping operation specifically tasked to carry out targeted offensive operations to "neutralize and disarm" groups considered a threat to state authority and civilian security. In this case, the main target was the M23 militia group, as well as other Congolese and foreign rebel groups. While such operations do not require the support of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), the Force Intervention Brigade often acts in unison with the FARDC to disarm rebel groups.

more: United Nations Force Intervention Brigade (FIB)

photo credit and courtesy:

Elements of MONUSCO Force Intervention Brigade patrol on the main road connecting the towns of Sake and Kibati in the northwest of Goma, North Kivu province, during the clashes that opposed the M23 rebel group to the National Defense Forces (FARDC) at the end of October 2013. Photo: MONUSCO/Clara Padovan

Des éléments de la Brigade d’Intervention de la MONUSCO en patrouille sur la voie principale menant de Sake à Kibati, deux villes situées au Nord-Ouest de Goma dans la province du Nord Kivu. Ces mouvements de patrouille s’étaient effectués lors des combats ayant opposé le groupe rebelle M23 aux Forces Armées congolaises (FARDC) vers la fin du mois d’octobre 2013.