The document provides an overview of the role of the UN in peacekeeping. It discusses the history of UN peacekeeping, beginning in 1948 with the first peacekeeping mission in the Middle East. It notes that since then, 69 peacekeeping operations have been deployed, with over 120 countries contributing military and civilian personnel. The document then discusses the early years of peacekeeping, the post-Cold War surge in missions, and the current state of UN peacekeeping operations. It also outlines the UN's related roles in conflict prevention, peacemaking, peace enforcement, and peacebuilding to maintain international peace and security.