Operations (or Actions) to Preserve Peace

• Operations to preserve peace are non-force operations that typically include mediation, assisting in setting up negotiations and developing compromise solutions for a conflict. The purpose of these operations is to build trust among opposing parties, preventing incidents that could draw allies of either side into the conflict and guaranteeing cease-fire and treaty agreements.
  
  

Peacemaking

• Peacemaking operations are generally conducted under the agreement of one or more opposing sides in a conflict. When opposing sides wish to cease military action, international forces help to enforce the cease fire, create buffer zones between opposing forces and organize the negotiation process. Peacemaking operations may also include retaining law and order in zones of separation, and providing security to citizens in the conflict zones.
  
  

Peacekeeping

• In some ways, peacekeeping is an extension of peacemaking, as peacekeeping operations only begin once a treaty or cease fire agreement is signed. Peacekeeping forces provide the military power to enforce cease fires, set up refugee camps and assist in the exchange of territories. Peacekeeping can also include maintaining law and order, investigating claims of violations of the cease-fire agreement and organizing the monitoring of classes of heavy weaponry.
  
  

Peace Enforcement and Peace-Building

• Peace enforcement is the use of armed force (or the threat of such force) to pressure warring factions to seek peace. Peace enforcement often includes enforcing international sanctions, isolating conflict zones and performing strike operations on sides who refuse to cease fire. Peace-building operations on the other hand, include any operations undertaken after the military portion of a conflict ends. Peace-building operations are meant to prevent a conflict from restarting and may involve security operations, operations that re-establish political structure and resolving refugee problems.
  
  

Humanitarian Actions

• Humanitarian actions are often included in different types of operations, though they are also carried out independently. Humanitarian actions are operations that provide relief to civilian populations who are affected by conflicts. These operations include delivering food, medical supplies and personnel to conflict zones, evacuating groups from conflict zones and restoring basic survival systems (such as power or sewer lines).