United Nations and the United States: Overcoming Obstacles for a Synergistic Future of Peace Operations

摘要

As the world grows more complex, the demand for peace operations will undoubtedly increase. This increase will be coupled with new challenges and complications, requiring extensive resources and expertise. A glance at the conflict-ridden environment in the Middle East and in Africa hints of the great difficulties to come. Peace operations have placed heavy demands on United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces and also on United States (US) forces but both entities have, in recent years, operated separately for peace operations. The US, a member of the UN, has chosen to contribute less in the way of personnel and more in the way of financial assistance to UN peace operations. While financial contributions are imperative, future scenarios will require the US, as a global superpower, to send resources beyond monetary ones. Before the US and the Combatant Commanders are faced with augmenting a UN peace operation during a crisis situation, it is important to analyze why the US contribution levels are what they are currently and what could impede future contributions. This paper argues that while it will be essential for the US to assist the UN in future peace operations, the current obstacles must be identified and navigated before recommendations can be effectively implemented.