Assignment task:
Australia's involvement in peacekeeping experienced a decline from 2003 onwards due to several interconnected factors. Firstly, the country's engagement in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan took precedence over peacekeeping operations, diverting military resources and attention away from international conflict resolution efforts. The demands and complexities of these military interventions shifted Australia's strategic focus towards combat roles and away from peacekeeping initiatives. Additionally, a lack of public discourse surrounding peacekeeping led to diminished awareness and understanding of its importance, resulting in limited public pressure to maintain or expand peacekeeping efforts. Australia's strong Anzac mythology, emphasizing wartime heroics, further entrenched a culture that valued combat roles over peacekeeping, and contributed to the perception that peacekeeping was less prestigious. Furthermore, shifting political priorities towards domestic concerns like refugees and climate change led to reduced emphasis on Australia's role as a "good international citizen," diminishing the motivation to engage in peacekeeping missions. The culmination of these factors resulted in a decline in Australia's commitment to and enthusiasm for participating in international peacekeeping operations.
Do you think Australia should play a larger role in UN peacekeeping? Why or why not?