Studies on Peace Operations

FOI has unique knowledge in the field of peace support operations and has assisted the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Ministry of Defence with research and direct support within the area for a long time. Today the scope is broader and the institute works with a number of civilian and military partners to strengthen the Swedish contribution to peace support operations.

Peace support operations are becoming increasingly important elements in the work of the Swedish Armed Forces. The environment that Swedish agencies work in place great demands on the capacity of these actors. Security and development are seen as closely interlinked. The scope of peace support operations has been widened and the importance of cooperation between civilian and military actors has become more apparent.

FOI works with a wide range of issues and areas regarding peace support operations. The group of researchers working within the field represents a variety of disciplines and among other things they study topics such as:

• international and multifunctional operations
• civil-military cooperation
• the roles of  international and regional actors
• evolving concepts for peace support operations

The researchers undertake both long-term research and direct supporting activities. The  researchers and analysts also conduct assessments and evaluations of operations in which Sweden participates, for example in Afghanistan, Somalia and in the Balkans.

Clients are primarily the Swedish Government offices, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Folke Bernadotte Academy. FOI further cooperates with a wide range of national and international partners within the area.

The work is mainly conducted through the Peace Support Operations project and the Command and Control in Multifunctional Operations project.