--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the problems for the United…" description: "\"“One of the problems for the United Nations Expeditionary Force was that its members had no uniform apart from those of their own countries—yet they ha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/alex-von-tunzelmann-34625_quote_one-of-the-problems-for-the-united-natio_933978.jpg" --- # One of the problems for the United Nations Expeditionary… ![“One of the problems for the United Nations Expeditionary Force was that its members had no uniform apart from those of their own countries—yet they had to be distinguishable from the fighting men of Britain, France, Israel, or Egypt. Somebody at the United Nations came up with the idea that they…” quote by Alex von Tunzelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/alex-von-tunzelmann-34625_quote_one-of-the-problems-for-the-united-natio_933978.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/alex-von-tunzelmann-34625_quote_one-of-the-problems-for-the-united-natio_933978.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/alex-von-tunzelmann-34625_quote_one-of-the-problems-for-the-united-natio_933978.jpg) > ““One of the problems for the United Nations Expeditionary Force was that its members had no uniform apart from those of their own countries—yet they had to be distinguishable from the fighting men of Britain, France, Israel, or Egypt. Somebody at the United Nations came up with the idea that they should wear berets in the organization’s distinctive blue. There was no time to have them made, so the Expeditionary Force borrowed thousands of American plastic helmet liners, which were spray-painted blue.25 The blue berets or blue helmets of the United Nations would become an international symbol of peacekeeping for the rest of the century and beyond.”” [Alex von Tunzelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-von-tunzelmann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The UN created a distinct blue helmet and beret to identify peacekeepers, using repurposed American plastic liners when time was short. **In simple terms:** Blue gear made UN peacekeepers recognizable. Key Takeaway Adopt clear symbols for unity. Themes peacekeeping identity innovation logistics Mood pragmatic reflective Type historical informative When to use this quote - military missions - humanitarian aid - multinational drills Key Concepts symbolism resourcefulness branding Questions to Reflect On - How do visual symbols affect perception of peacekeepers? - What alternatives could have been used? A Different Perspective Symbol can be misinterpreted as militarism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Berets Blue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/berets-blue-1542145/) [Berets Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/berets-organization-1542147/) [Blue Berets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blue-berets-1542146/) [Blue Helmets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blue-helmets-341504/) [Symbol Peacekeeping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbol-peacekeeping-1542144/) ## Related quotes > [UN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/un-peacekeeping-operations-are-now-increasingly-complex-and-multi/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [On the rare occasions when U.N. blue helmets have made the news in the past, it has unfortunately too often been in the context…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-power/on-the-rare-occasions-when-u-n-blue-helmets-have-made-the-news-in-the/) [Samantha Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-power/) ## More by Alex von Tunzelmann > [“Eden had believed it might be possible for British brains to run the world with American muscle. 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Since 1951 or 1952, the idea had been floating around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-von-tunzelmann/containing-communism-was-a-priority-but-the-united-states-government/) [Alex von Tunzelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-von-tunzelmann/) > [“Eisenhower was determined to avoid a direct confrontation with the Soviets. It is unlikely he would have sent American armed forces unilaterally. Yet something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-von-tunzelmann/eisenhower-was-determined-to-avoid-a-direct-confrontation-with-the/) [Alex von Tunzelmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-von-tunzelmann/) > [“The Soviets replaced him with a non-Jewish figure, Imre Nagy. Nagy was a Communist, but a reformer rather than a Stalinist. 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