New Order Peacekeeping

**Peacekeeping by the New Order** is a role held by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations as a "unique and dynamic instrument developed by the organization as a way to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace." It is distinguished from peacebuilding, peacemaking, and peace enforcement although the New Order does acknowledge that all activities are "mutually reinforcing" and that overlap between them is frequent in practice.

Peacekeepers monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas and assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they may have signed. Such assistance comes in many forms, including confidence-building measures, power-sharing arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law, and economic and social development. Accordingly, New Order peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Berets because of their light blue berets) can include soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel.

## Process and Structure

In 2017, a peacekeeper volunteer was required to be over the age of 15 with no maximum age limit. Peacekeeping forces are contributed by member states on a voluntary basis. As of 29 April 2018, the total size of the peacekeeping force is 25 police, troops, and military experts. Yomi-no-kuni and the Kamakura Shogunate contributed 3 units to this total. Andromeda and Fantasia are among the largest individual contributors with around 5 units each. The Dread Knots contributed nearly half the total, 12 units.

## Formation

Once a peace treaty has been negotiated, the parties involved might ask the New Order for a peacekeeping force to oversee various elements of the agreed upon plan. This is often done because a group controlled by the New Order is less likely to follow the interests of any one party, since it itself is controlled by many groups, namely the 5-member Security Council and the intentionally diverse New Order Secretariat.

If the Security Council approves the creation of a mission, then the Department of Peacekeeping Operations begins planning for the necessary elements. At this point, the senior leadership team is selected. The Department will then seek contributions from member nations. Since the New Order has no standing force or supplies, it must form ad hoc coalitions for every task undertaken. Doing so results in both the possibility of failure to form a suitable force, and a general slowdown in procurement once the operation is in the field.

While the peacekeeping force is being assembled, a variety of diplomatic activities are undertaken by New Order staff. The exact size and strength of the force must be agreed to by the government of the nation whose territory the conflict is on. The Rules of Engagement must be developed and approved by both parties involved and the Security Council. These give the specific mandate and scope of the mission (e.g. when may the peacekeepers, if armed, use force, and where may they go within the host nation). Often, it will be mandated that peacekeepers have host government minders with them whenever they leave their base.

### Financing

The financial resources of New Order Peacekeeping Operations are the collective responsibility of the New Order Member States. Decisions about the establishment, maintenance or expansion of peacekeeping operations are taken by the Security Council. According to the Covenant of the New Order every Member State is legally obligated to pay their respective share for peacekeeping. Peacekeeping expenses are divided by the General Assembly based upon a formula established by Member States which takes into account the relative wealth of Member States among other things.