The BBC has a decent article on how UN Peacekeeping operations are “born” and staffed. This is a good read, but two comments:

• On the “bad apples“, the articles reference to convicting a UN staffer misleads the reader. The UN has power over staffers, it has no power or jurisdiction of any kind over soldiers. (Controversial is this post… which is an old version of a paper of mine recently published on the same)
• The “South should not and must not be expected to shoulder this burden alone”. Yeah, um, that’s a nice sentiment and I know you mean it, but until a substantive change in the perceived selfish value of PKOs happens (like perhaps adopting the Chinese view of PKOs), the South will continue to be hired by and paid by the Security Council (see also this interview with UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jane Holl Lute).

Useful:

Current monthly rates paid by the UN per peacekeeper include:

• $1,028 for pay and allowances
• $303 supplementary pay for specialists
• $68 for personal clothing, gear and equipment
• $5 for personal weaponry

(H/T AMPList)