UN Peacekeeping In A Perilously Fragmented World – Analysis

In an era characterized by volatile geopolitics, transnational threats, civil conflicts, and the deterioration of multilateral norms, the role of United Nations Peacekeeping has gained renewed significance and scrutiny. UN peacekeepers, commonly known as “Blue Helmets,” are deployed in various critically dangerous and politically complex regions, including Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, and South Sudan.

Currently, more than 61,000 military and police personnel from 120 countries, along with over seven thousand civilian staff, serve across 11 Peacekeeping Missions. The three largest UN missions are MINUSCA in the Central African Republic (approximately 17,000 personnel), UNMISS in South Sudan (about 15,500 personnel) and MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12,000).

The UN’s first peacekeeping mission was deployed in 1948 with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)—created to monitor the ceasefire after the Arab-Israeli war. The initial peacekeeping missions were either lightly armed or unarmed, primarily focused on observing truces and providing impartial reporting. Over the years, particularly post-Cold War, the scope and complexity of peacekeeping missions have expanded significantly. These missions now involve not only ceasefire monitoring but also disarmament, civilian protection, electoral support, and even governance and institution-building.

As the global order becomes increasingly fragmented, influenced by great power rivalries, non-state actors, disinformation, climate-related instability, and weakened governance, UN peacekeeping remains one of the instruments of consensus-driven international intervention. Despite challenges, peacekeeping serves as a stabilizing force in a world experiencing disorder. Its future depends on adaptation, political will, and a recommitment to multilateralism.

Current peacekeeping operations are diverse multinational efforts, but their effectiveness is challenged by asymmetric warfare, limited resources, shifting politics, and the lack of peace to maintain.

A Fragmented Global Landscape

Great power competition between the United States, China, and Russia has resurfaced in the 21st century, weakening liberal internationalism and hindering the UN Security Council’s consensus on key issues. Today’s conflicts are often intra-state, marked by sectarianism, ethnic divisions, terrorism, and organized crime, blurring lines between combatant and civilian, criminal and political actor. Fragile states face rebellion, climate-induced migration, food insecurity, and health crises, intensifying humanitarian challenges for peacekeepers.

Additionally, non-state actors like armed militias, extremist groups such as ISIS or Boko Haram, and mercenaries like the Wagner Group complicate operations, frequently ignoring international norms and showing hostility toward UN forces. In Mali, tensions with Russian paramilitary groups led to MINUSMA‘s forced withdrawal in 2023.

UN peacekeeping delivers critical outcomes in unstable regions. A key contribution is creating “political space” by serving as a neutral buffer, reducing violence to enable peace negotiations. This limited space is often vital for war-torn societies. Peacekeepers also deter violence without full-scale intervention. Studies show that missions with strong civilian protection mandates significantly reduce civilian deaths. Additionally, they act as international witnesses to human rights abuses, adding accountability.

The Funding Architecture

Compounding these challenges is the declining political backing from major powers. Peacekeeping’s current budget is $5.6 billion, which is about half of what it was ten years ago. It represents 0.5% of global military spending, which according to the Stockholm International Research Institute (SIPRI) amounted to $2.718 trillion.

The U.S. is the UN’s largest contributor—with China second—accounting for 22% of the $3.7 billion core regular UN budget and 27% of the $5.6 billion peacekeeping budget. These payments are mandatory. The UN’s peacekeeping budget runs on a July-June cycle. However, many Member States are behind on their payments, owing a total of $2.7 billion, exacerbating the funding issue.

Peacekeeping at a Crossroads

However, peacekeeping is not a panacea. Critics point to several missions that have failed to prevent atrocities or achieve sustainable peace. The 1994 genocide in Rwanda and the fall of Srebrenica in 1995 remain painful reminders of the limits of peacekeeping when political will, clarity of mandate, and adequate resources are lacking.

Today, peacekeeping finds itself at a crossroads, caught between mounting expectations and diminishing support. Several missions are underfunded, overstretched, and working with outdated mandates that no longer reflect realities on the ground. Troop-contributing countries (TCCs) often lack advanced training or equipment, and mandates are frequently set by Security Council members far removed from field conditions.

Moreover, peacekeeping missions are increasingly the target of disinformation campaigns. Local and foreign actors, including governments and militias, spread misinformation to discredit missions and erode their legitimacy. This makes it harder for peacekeepers to engage with local populations or maintain operational transparency.

The Human Dimension

Beyond geopolitics and mandates lies the human dimension of peacekeeping. Blue Helmets, many from developing nations, face significant dangers in some of the world’s most hazardous zones. Over 4,200 UN peacekeepers have died in service. Their efforts highlight the importance of peacekeeping: the commitment of the international community to protect vulnerable populations from warlords, authoritarian leaders, or disorder.

Peacekeeping also has long-term social impacts. Missions often contribute to building infrastructure such as roads, schools, and healthcare facilities. They train police, support judicial systems, and promote the involvement of women in peace processes. These contributions are essential for sustainable peace.

Peacekeeping Ministerial

In light of recent challenges, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized that peace operations must adapt to address increasing threats. More than 130 Member States and international partners—over a thousand participants in total—gathered in Berlin on 13-14 May 2025 to reaffirm their support for UN peacekeeping and to announce specific commitments aimed at improving the effectiveness and adaptability of peace operations in response to evolving global challenges.

At the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial, 74 member states of the UN made pledges including:

Pledges of military and police units

· 53 Member States pledged uniformed capabilities, including 88 military and police units, as well as various critical capabilities, airlift, individual experts, staff officers and individual police officers.

· Specialized training

· 59 Member States pledged specialized trainings on critical issues such as peacekeeping-intelligence, protection of civilians, gender and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Technological advancements and data-driven approaches

· 18 Member States made pledges related to technological advancements and data-driven approaches to improve mission effectiveness.

· Women, Peace and Security

· 38 Member States made pledges to further implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda, including gender-responsive peacekeeping and women in peacekeeping.

Safety and Security

· 16 Member States pledged capabilities and projects to enhance the safety and security of peacekeepers.

Conduct and accountability

· Eleven Member States made pledges related to the conduct and accountability of peacekeepers and UN Peacekeeping’s fight against sexual exploitation and abuse. This response includes targeted contributions to the Trust Fund for victims.

Strategic Communications and information integrity

· Eight Member States made pledges to support the UN’s Strategic Communications efforts and contribute resources to strengthen information integrity.

The Berlin Ministerial was part of a series of high-level meetings focused on increasing political support and securing commitments to enhance UN Peacekeeping. It followed previous Ministerial meetings held in Accra (2023), Seoul(2021), New York (2019) Vancouver (2017) and London (2016). The 2025 Ministerial also coincided with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 10-year anniversary of the Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping.