Drawing on his eight years at the helm of the UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Guéhenno provides a candid account of high-stakes diplomacy, mission “creep,” and the constant tension between political ideals and practical realities. He recounts how the number of peacekeepers under UN command grew dramatically during his tenure, while the organization struggled with limited resources, unclear mandates, and the challenge of operating in environments where the line between war and peace was increasingly blurred. Through personal anecdotes and detailed case studies, Guéhenno explores the successes and failures of missions in places like Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the persistent difficulties of building sustainable peace in fragile states.

Guéhenno is frank about the institutional shortcomings of the UN, especially in command, control, and the political will needed for robust, non-consensual operations. He questions the effectiveness of “imposed consent” and hybrid missions, and reflects on the dangers of “mission creep”—expanding mandates without adequate resources or clear strategies. The memoir is both an engaging narrative and a sober meditation on the limits of international peacekeeping, emphasizing that the success of any mission depends as much on local governance and political will as on international support.