Reimbursement underpins the form and function of troops and police in #UN #peacekeeping. Without a fit-for-purpose framework, efforts to improve the relevance and effectiveness of peace operations will be doomed to failure.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/burning-di...
Reimbursements to troop-contributing countries are the largest expense in #peacekeeping, and rates are artificially inflated by inclusion of pass-thru payments. Reducing rates would allow more troops to be deployed and more TCCs to benefit from participation.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/what-drive...
I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel this week during which I shared my thoughts on the à la carte financing approach of the Trump administration, the rise of non-UN alternatives to #peacekeeping, and what we need from the next Secretary-General.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK7h...
Improving the security of peacekeepers is not something that can be solved through more training or better equipment. It's a doctrinal issue tied to the fact that peacekeepers have become parties to conflict. Has the shift to stabilization been worth it?
casquebleu.substack.com/p/improving-...
We've been talking about the importance of local ownership in #peacebuilding for years now, with little effect. Part of the problem is the basic setup of the international civil service. This week, I look at measures that can help overcome these barriers.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/walking-th...
Accelerated #UN transitions are here to stay, and long-standing problems—including mission-centric mindsets, administrative and budgetary obstacles, and planning deficiencies—need to be fixed to avoid jeopardizing hard-won peacebuilding gains.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/un-transit...
Background photo of the UN. CIC logo on top right. Text, "Gérer les opérations de paix : Comment sortir de la boucle temporelle de la réforme des opérations de paix; Eugene Chen; Lire la suite."
🔍 Le dernier rapport politique d'Eugene Chen (@casquebleu.org) examine quatre défis persistants qui affectent aujourd'hui les #opérations de paix des #NationsUnies.
The #UN is developing a new vision for police in #peacekeeping. How can we make sure this exercise doesn't exacerbate internal turf wars but instead helps peace operations meet the moment and address unintended negative consequences of existing approaches?
casquebleu.substack.com/p/considerat...
A French translation of my report setting out a new vision for #UN peace operations is now available, thanks to the support of @dgris.bsky.social (French Ministry of Armed Forces).
The #UN is in dire financial straits because of non-payment by the United States. But instead of taking the necessary steps needed to keep the organization afloat, the Secretary-General is more interested in playing the blame game and avoiding responsibility.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/whether-th...
The working methods that emerged after the Cold War at the #UN do not suffice when the U.S. no longer pretends to adhere to a rules-based order. In the absence of leadership from the Secretary-General, member states need to think—and act—outside the box.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/leadership...
Following approval of major budget cuts proposed by the Secretary-General, the #UN enters 2026 with a dramatically worsened financial position. Unless something major changes, U.S. non-payment means the organization is slipping into a budgetary death spiral.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/fifth-comm...
Quote card from the linked Substack article
This draws from a piece I wrote back in July on the Trump administration's policy towards the UN, which accurately predicted what the outcome of the 180-day review would be and what we're likely to see going forward.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/the-emergi...
We finally have the long-awaited outcome of the Trump administration review of U.S. participation in international organizations.
TL;DR—it's not nearly as bad as it could have been, at least where the UN is concerned.
theglobalobservatory.org/2026/01/the-...
Back in July, I wrote this piece on how the Trump administration treats international law and norms opportunistically, using them as justification when useful and ignoring them when not convenient.
Although the piece was about the #UN, it applies to U.S. foreign policy more broadly. #Venezuela.
At this stage, I think they will still be able to find someone. It just depends on how low the least common denominator ends up being.
The race for the next #UN Secretary-General has begun. This week, I make five predictions based on the process agreed and the interests of key Member States on:
1️⃣ Profile of candidates
2️⃣ Gender
3️⃣ Regional representation
4️⃣ What the P5 will demand
5️⃣ Timeline
casquebleu.substack.com/p/prediction...
Are #UN staff overpaid? Maybe. But short-sighted cuts pushed in the #FifthCommittee are counterproductive. We need a broader rethink of compensation to make the int'l civil service affordable while also being able to effectively respond to today's challenges.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/are-un-sta...
Reimbursement for troops and equipment in #UN #peacekeeping is not just a financial matter. How reimbursement is paid—and for what—helps shape Member State behavior and Secretariat processes, with under-appreciated implications for performance and effectiveness.
open.substack.com/pub/casquebl...
Mahler 6 ❤️
Unfortunately, the #FifthCommittee failed to meet the moment on this. Instead of protecting the budgetary prerogatives of the General Assembly, it rolled over by agreeing on a rubber-stamp draft resolution on the implementation or resolution 2719.
undocs.org/en/A/80/527
Member States should use the peace operations review to rethink the scope and working methods of the Special Committee on #Peacekeeping Operations (C-34) to reposition the C-34 as a body that can productively shape #UN peace operations moving forward.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/re-imagini...
Reducing the U.S. share of the #UN budget would help mitigate the cash shortfall, but it is unlikely to happen due to the zero-sum nature of negotiations over the scales of assessments and the consensus-based decision making process in the #FifthCommittee.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/can-changi...
It's been over 10 years since the last large-scale UN mission start-up. This week, I provide a refresher on start-up funding arrangements, explain the Secretary-General's request for the UN Support Office in #Haiti, and point out some issues with the request.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/getting-th...
The #UN80 mandate review highlights the use of the phrase "within existing resources" by delegates wishing to handwave away pesky budgetary issues. But the way it's currently being used goes against the Charter and decisions of the General Assembly.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/how-do-you...
A political appointee, Tammy Bruce, was nominated last month to replace her as deputy permanent representative.
The UN has been forced to repatriate 25% of troops and police in #peacekeeping missions to deal with cash shortages stemming primarily from U.S. non-payment. I explain why existing liquidity mechanisms were insufficient and what this means going forward.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/the-contin...
U.S. arrears at the #UN are mounting, and it is at risk of losing its vote in the General Assembly. This week, I dive into when this might happen and what the consequences might be.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/is-the-us-...
Talk of modular approaches in peace operations is in the air, but there are many different interpretations and uses of the concept. What are the different schools of thought and which should be the focus of #UN80 and the peace operations review?
casquebleu.substack.com/p/what-do-we...
The Security Council never needed resolution 2719 to be able to provide assessed contributions to non-UN forces, and the likelihood of 2719 application seems more remote than ever. It's time to look beyond 2719 in designing effective partnership arrangements.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/what-now-f...