Unpolitical wars: Presentations of conflict in development and foreign policy discourses in Iceland

The establishment of the Icelandic peacekeeping unit (ICRU), in 2001, signalled Iceland's increased participation in various UN peacekeeping projects in conflict-ridden areas, and can be seen as a part of an emphasis during its economic boom years on Iceland as an important international player. Engagement in foreign conflicts has, however, never been a part of Icelandic national identity. Iceland had prided itself on its lack of a national army and non-engagement in war-related activities. In exploring this contradiction the article's claim is that in the public media ICRU participation in conflicts was depoliticized because the Icelandic government placed it within an emerging international humanitarian framework. The Icelandic example indicates how extremely political issues are depoliticized locally by reflecting international discourses.