Larry - you left out one of their significant military functions. In Lebanon, the UN set up observation posts that made convenient shields for Hezbollah rocket launchers. That's how the blue helmets suffered one of their rare casualties - IDF fighters bombed a Hezbollah position and a nearby Canadian UN observer was killed.

Rumor has it that as Hezbollah plans their next attack on Israel, they're asking the UN for more observation posts.

Sample my new book at http://www.theweemadroad.com