What is a fundamental expectation from peacekeeping operations regarding host states?

The fundamental expectation from peacekeeping operations regarding host states is that they are responsible for safeguarding the protection of their own citizens. This principle is rooted in the concept of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), which emphasizes that sovereign states have the primary responsibility to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

When peacekeeping operations are deployed, they often aim to support or reinforce the host state in fulfilling this obligation. The role of peacekeepers includes assisting in creating a stable environment conducive to the safety of civilians, while also helping to build the capacity of the host state's institutions to ensure the ongoing protection of its own citizens.

The other options present scenarios that do not align with the intended role of peacekeeping missions. For instance, initiating military assaults runs counter to the peacekeeping mandate, which typically focuses on maintaining peace and providing security rather than engaging in offensive operations. Maintaining silence during international disputes contradicts the proactive role peacekeepers play in conflict resolution and advocacy for human rights. Allowing unrestricted access to foreign troops may not be an expectation of host states, which often have sovereignty concerns and may impose conditions on foreign military presence within their borders.