This book investigates the organizational and structural factors that determine the success or failure of United Nations peacekeeping missions. The authors, Vincenzo Bove, Chiara Ruffa, and Andrea Ruggeri, utilize extensive empirical data and comparative analysis to argue that the composition of peacekeeping forces—specifically the mix of troop-contributing countries and their operational capabilities—directly influences the effectiveness of peace enforcement and stabilization efforts. By examining the interplay between national interests and international mandates, the text provides a framework for understanding how mission design impacts conflict outcomes.

Experts in international relations identify this work as a rigorous contribution to the study of multilateral security operations. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the reliance on statistical modeling to support the authors' conclusions.