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The article reports that the U.S. plays a crucial role in funding United Nations peacekeeping operations. It mentions that the U.S. collected funds from many countries. The General Assembly decides the scale of assessments for member contributions every three years, with the United States assessed at regular budget and for peacekeeping. China, Japan, and Germany are among the leading contributors.

The article discusses issues in the operation of the United Nations (UN), particularly the move by the U.S. Congress to cap the budget contribution of the country to UN's peacekeeping operations at 25% as of February 2021. Topics include the key role played by the U.S. in funding the UN's peacekeeping activities as member of the UN Security Council and the annual State-Department-Foreign Operations (SFOPS) appropriations acts as the source of funding.

The article explores the political conditions in Lebanon, which saw a full-scale civil conflict in 1975 that ended the term of President Suleiman Franjieh and in July 2006 saw the death of United Nations peackeepers after their observation post was bombed by Israeli forces.

The article provides information on the efforts taken by United Nations (U.N.) member Fiji to contribute to peacekeeping in the Middle East and Africa.

The article presents an overview of the political and economic conditions of Italy for the year 2007-08. Romano Prodi, leader of the left-of-centre Unione coalition and prime minister of Italy, is facing difficulties in passing economic reforms, following the withdrawal of a senator from the coalition. Italy will provide up to 1,500 troops in the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. Prodi has declared strategy to improve competitiveness and boost economic growth.

The article presents the U.S. Congressional Research Service report "United Nations System Funding: Congressional Issues," by Marjorie Anne Browne. The report focuses on the U.S. Congress' process of providing funds for U.S. assessed contributions to the United Nations (UN) regular budget, the UN agencies and peacekeeping accounts and the country's voluntary contributions to UN system programs and funds. It also reports on the U.S. President's requests and the response of the U.S. Congress.

The article offers information related to the division of war powers between the U.S. President and the U.S. Congress as of August 2012. Topics discussed include the application and effectiveness of the War Powers Resolution (WPR), U.S. military actions in Asia, the Middle East and Africa and congressional authorization of United Nations peacekeeping.

The article presents a Congressional Research Service report on foreign perspectives and U.S. policy interest to the reform of the United Nations (UN). International observers lament the controversies that have affected the international body, such as corruption, sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers, and instances of waste, fraud, and abuse by UN staffers. Member states were able to implement some changes, such as the creation of the Human Rights Council and the Peacebuilding Commission.

The article U.S. Congress' concerns related to civil war in Sudan, as of April 2014. The topics discussed include rebellion against National Congress Party (NCP) government in Darfur, the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) signed by the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A). Also discussed is U.N. Security Council's resolution for deployment of peacekeeping forces in Sudan.

The article focuses on some efforts to reform the United Nations (UN). The UN Secretary-General was urged by the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document to enhance UN system-wide coherence by promoting the Delivering as One (DAO) concept and establishing an entity focusing on women's equality and empowerment. A framework resolution to form a new internal justice administration system was adopted by the General Assembly on April 4, 2007. Other reform initiatives are concerned with reviewing UN mandates, human resources management and peacekeeping operations.

The article discusses the report "Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive" by the U.S. Congressional Research Service, as of January 2011. Topics include the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in 1964, the Basis for Agreement on a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem (Annan Plan) by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and negotiations between former Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on national sovereignty.

The article presents report titled "United Nations Peacekeeping: Issues for Congress" by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of August 13, 2010. Topics discussed include United Nations peacekeeping funding contributions for fiscal year 2009-2011, role of United Nations peacekeeping forces in monitoring elections and association of the U.S. Congress and United Nations peacekeeping programs from 1991 to 2006.

The article focuses on the report titled "Instability and Humanitarian Conditions in Chad" released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of July 1, 2010. Topics discussed include economic condition of Chad according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Human Development Index, multinational peacekeeping operations carried out by the U.N. Security Council in Chad, and dependence of Chad's population on agriculture, and oil.

The article discusses the political developments in Sudan and related foreign policy implications for the U.S. as of May 2010. The topics discussed include the effects of civil war in Sudan, threats to the political party National Congress Party (NCP) government in Darfur by rebel groups in the country, and the United Nations Security Council's resolution 1769 for the deployment of peacekeeping force to Darfur, Sudan.

The article focuses on a report related to efficiency of the United Nations (U.N.) system, released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) as of December 15, 2009. Topics discussed include allegations of sexual abuse by U.N. peacekeepers, and instances of waste, fraud and abuse by U.N. staff, a meeting of the U.N. members in New York City to discuss strengthening of the U.N. through institutional reform, and interests of the U.S. Congress in overall effectiveness of the U.N.

The article focuses on the report "Sexual Violence in African Conflicts" by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of November 25, 2009. Topics discussed include role of the U.S. Congress in preventing sexual violence in Africa, United Nations' peace keeping activities, and sexual violence by combatant as a tool of war. Also mentioned are sexual atrocities in countries including Burundi and Rwanda, role of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and economic assistance.

The article discusses a report of the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of September 2009 which is related to the U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD) use of private security contractors (PSCs) in Iraq and Afghanistan. Topics include profile of PSCs working in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. Congress's role in defining the role of PSCs in supporting military and DOD management of PSCs.

Since its establishment in 1945, the United Nations has been in a constant state of transition as various international stakeholders seek ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the U.N. system. Recent controversies, such as corruption of the Iraq Oil-For-Food Program, allegations of sexual abuse by U.N. peacekeepers, and instances of waste, fraud and abuse by U.N. staff, have focused renewed attention on the need for change and improvement of the United Nations. Many in the international community, including the United States, have increased pressure on U.N. member states to implement substantive reforms. The 111th Congress will most likely continue to focus on U.N. reform as it considers appropriate levels of U.S. funding to the United Nations and monitors the progress and implementation of ongoing and previously approved reform measures. In September 2005, heads of U.N. member states met for the World Summit at U.N. Headquarters in New York to discuss strengthening the United Nations through institutional reform. The resulting Summit Outcome Document laid the groundwork for a series of reforms that included establishing a Peacebuilding Commission, creating a new Human Rights Council, and enlarging the U.N. Security Council. Member states also agreed to Secretariat and management reforms including improving internal U.N. oversight capacity, establishing a U.N. ethics office, enhancing U.N. whistle-blower protection, and reviewing all U.N. mandates five years or older. Since the World Summit, U.N. member states have worked toward implementing these reforms with varied degrees of success. Some reforms, such as the creation of the Human Rights Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, have already occurred or are ongoing. Other reforms, such as U.N. Security Council enlargement, have stalled or not been addressed. U.N. member states disagree on whether some proposed reforms are necessary, as well as how to most effectively implement previously agreed-to reforms. Developed countries, for example, support delegating more power to the Secretary-General to implement management reforms, whereas developing countries fear that giving the Secretary-General more authority may undermine the power of the U.N. General Assembly and therefore the influence of individual countries. Congress has maintained a significant interest in the overall effectiveness of the United Nations. Some Members are particularly interested in U.N. Secretariat and management reform, with a focus on enhanced accountability and internal oversight. In the past, Congress has enacted legislation that links U.S. funding of the United Nations to specific U.N. reform benchmarks. Opponents of this strategy argue that tying U.S. funding to U.N. reform may negatively impact diplomatic relations and could hinder the United States’ ability to conduct foreign policy. Supporters contend that the United Nations has been slow to implement reforms and that linking payment of U.S. assessments to progress on U.N. reform is the most effective way to motivate member states to efficiently pursue comprehensive reform. This report will be updated as policy changes or congressional actions warrant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses U.S. foreign policy concerns related to political developments in Somalia as of May 2009. The topics discussed include election of Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed as new president of Somalia in 2004, the deployment of United Nations peacekeeping force in the country and the organization International Maritime Bureau's report on piracy in Somalia.

The article presents a report related to the U.S. policy and international perspectives towards United Nations Reform, released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of January 27, 2009. Topics discussed include reform efforts from the U.S. and international community, strategy to reduce corruption and fraud in the U.N. system, U.S. funding as a tool for U.N. reform and proposal related to disarmament and peacekeeping restructuring.

The article offers information on the report titled "United Nations Peacekeeping: Issues for Congress" released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as of November 13, 2008. Topics discussed include concern of the U.S. Congress over funding for peacekeeping, a budget request made by U.S. President George W. Bush for contributing to United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping operations, and a report by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on U.N. peacekeeping operations.

The article focuses on the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping issues in the 110th Congress. Topics discussed include the UN's potential to restore or keep the peace in the changing world environment, the peacekeeping operations which involve more non-military personnel and tasks in maintaining law and order, in election monitoring, and in human rights monitoring, and the proposals for improving peacekeeping.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974. Greek Cypriots, 76% of the population, live in the southern two-thirds of the island. Turkish Cypriots, 19% of the populace, live in the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), recognized only by Turkey, with about 36,000 Turkish troops providing security. United Nations peacekeeping forces (UNFICYP) maintain a buffer zone between the two. Since the late 1970s, the U.N., with U.S. support, has promoted negotiations aimed at reuniting the island as a federal, bicommunal, bizonal republic. The U.N. Secretary General's April 5, 1992, "Set of Ideas" was a major, but unsuccessful, framework for negotiations for an overall settlement. Next, both sides accepted U.N. confidence-building measures only in principle and they were not recorded or implemented. The prospect of Cyprus's European Union (EU) accession and its eventual membership intensified and complicated settlement efforts. After five rounds of U.N.-mediated proximity (indirect) talks beginning in December 1999, Secretary General Kofi Annan presented "observations" on substance and procedure on November 8, 2000, leading Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to withdraw from the talks for a year. Denktash and (Greek) Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides finally met on December 4, 2001 and agreed to begin direct talks on January 16, 2002. On November 11, 2002, Annan submitted a comprehensive settlement Plan based on Swiss and Belgian government models, but the two sides did not agree on it. After still more negotiations, Annan announced on March 11, 2003 that his efforts had failed. Cyprus signed an accession treaty to join the EU on April 16. The December 14, 2003, Turkish Cypriot parliamentary elections in northern Cyprus produced a new government determined to reach a settlement. The U.N. led new negotiations from February 19-March 22, 2004, and again they failed. Talks continued in Switzerland, with Greek and Turkish leaders present. Annan presented a final, revised Plan on March 31. In referenda on April 24, 76% of Greek Cypriot voters rejected the Plan, while 65% of Turkish Cypriot voters accepted it. Annan blamed (Greek) Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos for the result. Cyprus joined the EU on May 1, 2004. More than two years later, Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met U.N. Undersecretary Ibrahim Gambari and agreed, on July 8, 2006, to discuss "issues that affect day-to-day life" and, concurrently, substantive issues. This accord has not yet been implemented. Some Members of Congress have urged the Administration to be more active, although they have not proposed an alternative to the U.N.-sponsored talks. Since the referenda, the Administration has been working to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots in order to diminish economic disparities between them and the Greek Cypriots and pave the way for reunification. Some Members have questioned this policy. Members are maintaining their interest in Cyprus in the 110th Congress partly due to keen constituent concern. This CRS report will be updated as developments warrant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

United Nations peacekeepers are maintaining a fragile peace in south Lebanon after last summer's devastating 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel. Elsewhere in the Middle East, the climate of confrontation makes prospects for peace appear grim. In the region's longest-running conflict, Israel and the Palestinians remain locked in disagreement over creation of a permanent homeland for the Palestinians, and armed skirmishes between rival Palestinian parties are complicating efforts to restart peace negotiations with Israel. In addition, the Bush administration is leading an international boycott of one of those parties — Hamas — for its refusal to recognize Israel and renounce violence. In Lebanon, many fear the truce between Israel and the Hezbollah militia won't last. Hezbollah's main patron, Iran, is defying American and European efforts to ensure that its nuclear-power development is limited to peaceful purposes. And in Iraq, U.S. forces remain bogged down after more than three years of fighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major issue facing the United Nations, the United States, and Congress concerning United Nations peacekeeping is the extent to which the United Nations has the capacity to restore or keep the peace in the changing world environment. Associated with this issue is the expressed need for a reliable source of funding and other resources for peacekeeping and improved efficiencies of operation. For the United States, major congressional considerations on U.N. peacekeeping stem from executive branch commitments made in the U.N. Security Council. The concern with these commitments, made through votes in the Council, is the extent to which they bind the United States, both militarily and financially, to fund and to participate in some way in an operation. This includes placing U.S. military personnel under the control of foreign commanders. Since 1948, the United Nations (U.N.) has launched 60 peacekeeping operations, of which 16 are currently active. U.N. estimated peacekeeping expenditures went down from$3.4 billion in calendar year 1995 to $1.2 billion in 1997. Ongoing U.N. peacekeeping expenditures were estimated at $2.2 billion for the year starting on July 1, 2000, and $2.63 billion for the year starting on July 1, 2002. U.S. payments in calendar year 2000 were $518.6 million and $1.3 billion in CY2001. Peacekeeping has come to constitute more than just the placement of military forces into a cease-fire situation with the consent of all the parties. Military peacekeepers may be disarming or seizing weapons, aggressively protecting humanitarian assistance, and clearing land mines. Peacekeeping operations also now involve more non-military tasks such as maintaining law and order (police), election monitoring, and human rights monitoring. Proposals for strengthening U.N. peacekeeping and other aspects of U.N. peace and security capacities have been adopted in the United Nations, by the Clinton Administration, and by Congress. They are being implemented. Most authorities have agreed that if the United Nations is to be responsive to post-Cold War world challenges, both U.N. members and the appropriate U.N. organs will have to continue to improve U.N. structures and procedures in the peace and security area. On February 7, 2005, President Bush requested $1,035,500,000 for FY2006 assessed accounts and $195.8 million to fund U.S. assistance to international peacekeeping efforts of special concern. On December 8, 2004, President Bush had signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (P.L. 108447, H.R. 4818) that provided $490 million (of $650 million requested) for peacekeeping assessments and $104 million (as requested) to fund international peacekeeping efforts of special concern. On February 14, 2005, the President requested FY2005 supplemental funding that included $780 million for CIPA and $210 million for PKO. Issues for the 109th Congress include whether the over $1 billion request for CIPA will survive Congress' scrutiny, especially in view of numerous accountability and other problems currently facing the United Nations, including accusations of sexual misbehavior by U.N. peacekeepers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyprus has been divided since 1974. Greek Cypriots, nearly 80% of the population, live in the southern two-thirds of the island. Turkish Cypriots live in the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC, recognized only by Turkey), with about 30,000 Turkish troops providing security. United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping forces maintain a buffer zone between the two. Since the late 1970s, the U.N., with U.S. support, has promoted negotiations aimed at creating a federal, bicommunal, bizonal republic on Cyprus. The two sides would pledge not to move toward union with any other country. This stipulation reflects concerns that Greek Cypriots would like to unite with Greece and that Turkish Cypriots seek to partition the island, linking the north to Turkey. The Secretary General's April 5, 1992, "Set of Ideas" was a framework for negotiations for an overall settlement. The Security Council implied that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash was responsible. It then called for confidence-building measures (CBMs). Glafcos Clerides was elected president of the Republic of Cyprus in February 1993. Both sides eventually accepted CBMs in principle but did not agree on the Secretary General's proposed method for recording clarifications. A January 4, 1997, confirmation that Greek Cypriots would acquire Russian S-300 missiles prompted the United States to deplore the purchase and Turkey to threaten military action to prevent deployment and to bond closer to Turkish Cyprus. The missiles were the focus of intense crisis prevention efforts. On December 29, 1998, Clerides decided not to deploy the missiles on Cyprus. The prospect of Cyprus's European Union accession triggered heightened international attention to Cyprus and complicated settlement efforts. The U.N. hosted inconclusive talks in July and August 1997. Denktash demanded that the TRNC be recognized as a state equal to the Greek-Cypriot side in a confederation and concluded a declaration of partial integration with Turkey to parallel Cyprus's integration with the EU. Clerides and Denktash participated in five rounds of U.N.-mediated proximity (indirect) talks beginning in December 1999. On November 8, 2000, the Secretary General gave the two leaders his "observations" on substance and procedure. In reaction, Denktash withdrew from talks. He and Clerides met on Cyprus on December 4, 2001, and began holding direct talks on January 16, 2002. On November 11, the Secretary General submitted a comprehensive settlement plan based on Swiss and Belgian models. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots failed to agree on it at an EU summit in Copenhagen, December 12-13. Negotiations resumed on January 15, 2003. On March 12, Annan announced that his efforts to get the two sides to agree to simultaneous referenda on the plan had failed. Cyprus signed an accession treaty to join the EU on April 16. Denktash opened the border between the north and south on April 23. Members of Congress have urged the Administration to be more active, although they have not proposed an alternative to the U.N.-sponsored talks. Some Members seek increased pressure on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers a brief background on the military involvement of the U.S. in the United Nations' peacekeeping activities in Haiti in 1993 and 1994, which has raised concern over whether the action exempt from the requirements of the War Powers Resolution Act of 1973. On October 20, 1993, the U.S. had started to enforce a UN embargo without a congressional authorization. And on September 19, 1994, U.S. military forces entered Haiti without consulting with the Congress.

The article discusses the Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities account category of Title I of the U.S. Congress' legislative bill FY2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which funds the U.S.' contributions to the peacekeeping operations of the United Nations worldwide.

The article reports that Islamist Jihadist terrorists carried out an attack at the luxury hotel Radisson Blu in Bamako, Mali killing close to 30 people on November 20, 2015. Topics include hours later after the attack Malian security personnel, backed by United Nations peacekeepers having stormed the hotel and proceeded to neutralize the gunmen and release some 170 guests, and at the end of the ordeal, the Islamist Jihadist group, Al Mourabitoun, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The podcast of an interview with columnist Richard Gowan is presented on topics including the United Nation peacekeeping process, the ability of the intergovernmental organization to adapt to the changing global security landscape and the challenges it is facing.

The article reports on the deployment of drones by the United Nations force in the Democratic Republic of Congo to monitor borders, marking the first time unmanned systems have been used in an international peacekeeping mission, as of December 2013. The drones were launched to watch the borders of Rwanda and Uganda, which rebel militants use to slip in and out of Congo to wage war against the government and to gain control of mineral rich regions.

The article presents an outlook for the military confrontations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government forces and militia groups as of November 2008. It is predicted that ongoing rivalries between rebel groups are likely to prevent a spreading of the conflict beyond the Kivu provinces. It is recommended that the United Nations (UN) send peacekeeper reinforcements to prevent further military confrontation.

The article presents an outlook for the economic condition of Chad in light of the political instability and clashes between the government and rebel forces in 2006. The failure to reach an agreement with Sudanese government over the deployment of United Nations peacekeeping forces in Darfur affects the economic prospects of Chad. According to the International Monetary Fund, the real gross domestic product growth rate of the country in 2006 is .1%.

The article focuses on the post political and economic conditions prevailing in Sierra Leone after the departure of the United Nations (UN) peace-keeping force. The UN peace-keeping force departed from the country four years after the civil war has ended there. The departure of the UN troops points positively to the consolidation of the peaceful security situation in the country. However, the underlying causes of the 1991-2002 conflict can still be seen prevailing in Sierra Leone in the form of widespread poverty, illegal diamond mining, endemic corruption and youth unemployment. Political tensions are also likely to surround the presidential elections in May 2007. This poses serious internal and external risks to the stability of the country.

Under the transitional government in Democratic Republic of Congo, relative calm has been restored, and United Nations peacekeeping troops are now concentrating their operations in the eastern regions, where conflict persists. While the situation is much improved, compared to 2003, considerable downside risks remain. While U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's progress report says relations are improving, there were reports in December 2003 that leaked U.N. files implicated Rwanda and Uganda in ongoing support for Congolese militias.

The article discusses the international laws that provide authority for U.S. military involvement in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping actions. One is the Section 6 of the UN Participation Act which gives authority to the president of the U.S. to negotiate special agreements with the Security Council (SC) providing for the numbers and types of armed forces and facilities to be made ready for use by the SC. Another is the Section 7 of the same law which confirms the detail of up to 1,000 personnel to help in any UN peaceful settlement activities.

The article reports updates on the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR), as of November 2014. Topics discussed include how the conflict started, the exchange of gunfire between the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces and Seleka rebels, and the warning issued by the UN that the conflict could lead to genocide. Also mentioned is the opinion of anthropologist Louisa Lombard that the conflict is about regional and economic divisions in CAR.

The article examines the humanitarian conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as of February 2014. Topics discussed include the displacement of Congolese due to violence, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in DRC, and the failure of peacekeepers from the United Nations (UN) to protect civilians from SGBV.

An appendix is presented of the United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping operations in Sudan and South Sudan as of October 5, 2012, which includes the U.N.-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), the U.N. Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), and the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The article offers a brief background on the military involvement of the U.S. in the United Nations' peacekeeping actions (PA) in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1996, which have raised concern over whether the actions are exempt from the requirements of the War Powers Resolution Act of 1973. In 1992, the U.S. participated in airlifts into Sarajevo and aerial enforcement of a no-fly zone even without congressional authorization. In 1995, the U.S. deployed a large number of combat troops as part of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization-led PA.