| Publication |
2012.
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| Summary/Abstract |
This paper analyzes the activities of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) from the
perspectives of compellence and coercive diplomacy with the recognition that the proactive use of
force is also effective in peace operations and the appropriate concept underpinning such actions is
coercion, particularly compellence and coercive diplomacy. After a referendum on independence
from Indonesia in August 1999, East Timor was thrown into confusion by large-scale destruction
and forced displacement of residents by anti-independence militias. INTERFET that intervened to
restore security to East Timor used its military force to proactively put pressure on militias and
part of Indonesian troops to induce them to alter their actions. These behaviors of INTERFET can
be captured in line with the structure of coercive diplomacy and INTERFET's high-level military
capability and the existence of its clear objectives can be cited as factors contributing to its success.
As suggestions for peace operations in general, it can be pointed out that coercion by denial, rather
than by punishment, seems to be more effective in the context of peace operations and that it is
necessary to practice threats of denial across all areas of operations.
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