So far, however, the United Nations has been unable to raise enough troops, with members awaiting the council's mandate.

CNN: U.N. could send troops to Slavonia

Meanwhile commanders make sure the Christmas boxes are ready to take out to the units outside the base, a tradition begun by Queen Mary during World War I to raise the troops' morale in the trenches.

BBC: UK troops in festive mood in Iraq

But it could take months to raise the extra troops and deploy them.

ECONOMIST: The UN may send more troops to Congo. Would they do any good?