Eugene Chen
@casquebleu.org
Non-resident adviser, @ipinst.bsky.social // United Nations peace operations and institutional reform | previously NYU CIC, Met Opera, UN EOSG, UN Peacekeeping, USUN | views my own; RT≠endorsement
An nescis, mi fili, quantilla prudentia mundus regatur?
An nescis, mi fili, quantilla prudentia mundus regatur?
18 months in, the structural reform workstream of #UN80 has failed to meet expectations. What went wrong and why? And how should a serious attempt at #UN structural reorganization be approached?
casquebleu.substack.com/p/all-of-the...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/all-of-the...
All the structural reform discussions are backwards
Start with problems and functions, not mergers
casquebleu.substack.com
September 11, 2026 at 2:13 PM
18 months in, the structural reform workstream of #UN80 has failed to meet expectations. What went wrong and why? And how should a serious attempt at #UN structural reorganization be approached?
casquebleu.substack.com/p/all-of-the...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/all-of-the...
Reposted by Eugene Chen
How do countries view the #UnitedNations? 🇺🇳 🌐
Ahead of the opening of United Nations General Assembly, people across 37 countries view the UN more favorably than unfavorably.
However, views in some countries have turned more negative in recent years.
Ahead of the opening of United Nations General Assembly, people across 37 countries view the UN more favorably than unfavorably.
However, views in some countries have turned more negative in recent years.
September 2, 2026 at 10:00 PM
How do countries view the #UnitedNations? 🇺🇳 🌐
Ahead of the opening of United Nations General Assembly, people across 37 countries view the UN more favorably than unfavorably.
However, views in some countries have turned more negative in recent years.
Ahead of the opening of United Nations General Assembly, people across 37 countries view the UN more favorably than unfavorably.
However, views in some countries have turned more negative in recent years.
The peace operations review report is out at long last. TL;DR: it effectively argues for the status quo.
In this reaction piece, I highlight the areas I thought the report got wrong, the items that are missing entirely, and what member states should do now.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/nothing-ne...
In this reaction piece, I highlight the areas I thought the report got wrong, the items that are missing entirely, and what member states should do now.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/nothing-ne...
Nothing new in the peace operations review
Just entities protecting their interests and passing the buck
casquebleu.substack.com
August 21, 2026 at 1:38 PM
The peace operations review report is out at long last. TL;DR: it effectively argues for the status quo.
In this reaction piece, I highlight the areas I thought the report got wrong, the items that are missing entirely, and what member states should do now.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/nothing-ne...
In this reaction piece, I highlight the areas I thought the report got wrong, the items that are missing entirely, and what member states should do now.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/nothing-ne...
Over the past few decades, UN peace operations have been subverted from their original purpose of promoting liberal peace towards becoming tools of authoritarian conflict management. This week, I look at how this happened and ways to counter the trend.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/peace-oper...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/peace-oper...
Are peace operations enabling authoritarian conflict management?
It's not too late to do something about this
casquebleu.substack.com
August 7, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Over the past few decades, UN peace operations have been subverted from their original purpose of promoting liberal peace towards becoming tools of authoritarian conflict management. This week, I look at how this happened and ways to counter the trend.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/peace-oper...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/peace-oper...
My recent Substack piece was a response to some of the recommendations from a report on backroom deals by 1 for 8 Billion. It's definitely worth reading in full: 1for8billion.org/backroom-deals
@arbeider4fred.bsky.social wrote a thoughtful response to my criticism which is also worth reading.
@arbeider4fred.bsky.social wrote a thoughtful response to my criticism which is also worth reading.
July 24, 2026 at 12:45 PM
My recent Substack piece was a response to some of the recommendations from a report on backroom deals by 1 for 8 Billion. It's definitely worth reading in full: 1for8billion.org/backroom-deals
@arbeider4fred.bsky.social wrote a thoughtful response to my criticism which is also worth reading.
@arbeider4fred.bsky.social wrote a thoughtful response to my criticism which is also worth reading.
Backroom deals between candidates for Secretary-General and the permanent members of the Security Council are an unavoidable part of the selection process. But there are ways to mitigate the political pressure, and even potential silver linings to such deals.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/living-wit...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/living-wit...
Living with backroom deals in the Secretary-General selection process
Can't wish them away
casquebleu.substack.com
July 24, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Backroom deals between candidates for Secretary-General and the permanent members of the Security Council are an unavoidable part of the selection process. But there are ways to mitigate the political pressure, and even potential silver linings to such deals.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/living-wit...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/living-wit...
Plusieurs de mes publications sur Substack concernant les opérations de paix sont désormais disponibles en français, grâce à l'Observatoire Boutros-Ghali.
www.observatoire-boutros-ghali.org/2026/07/reco...
www.observatoire-boutros-ghali.org/2026/07/reco...
Recommandations pour l’avenir du maintien de la paix : réflexions du Substack "Casque bleu"
Depuis 2025, le chercheur et diplomate Eugene Chen anime le Substack Casque Bleu, dans lequel il porte un regard aussi informé qu'incisif sur ce qui se joue loin du terrain des missions de paix onusie...
www.observatoire-boutros-ghali.org
July 16, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Plusieurs de mes publications sur Substack concernant les opérations de paix sont désormais disponibles en français, grâce à l'Observatoire Boutros-Ghali.
www.observatoire-boutros-ghali.org/2026/07/reco...
www.observatoire-boutros-ghali.org/2026/07/reco...
On 1 July, the US announced that it would not accept continuation of the #UN Support Office in Somalia #UNSOS beyond the end of the year. In this post, I highlight three takeaways from this saga that should inform future thinking on peace ops and partnership.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
The end of UNSOS? Takeaways from the U.S. announcement
The writing was already on the wall
casquebleu.substack.com
July 9, 2026 at 12:42 PM
On 1 July, the US announced that it would not accept continuation of the #UN Support Office in Somalia #UNSOS beyond the end of the year. In this post, I highlight three takeaways from this saga that should inform future thinking on peace ops and partnership.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/the-end-of...
This week, #UN Secretariat staff were told that there is only enough cash on hand to pay salaries through August, but it's not clear that leadership is ready to take the decisions necessary to keep the Organization running through the end of the year.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/quick-thou...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/quick-thou...
Quick thoughts on the financial situation
Plus, looking back on a year on Substack
casquebleu.substack.com
June 26, 2026 at 6:16 PM
This week, #UN Secretariat staff were told that there is only enough cash on hand to pay salaries through August, but it's not clear that leadership is ready to take the decisions necessary to keep the Organization running through the end of the year.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/quick-thou...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/quick-thou...
This week, I examine why and when countries fail to pay their #UN dues to show that the weaponization of assessed contributions isn't going away anytime soon. The UN needs to reduce its financial reliance on a small number of countries, and soon.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/a-la-carte...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/a-la-carte...
À la carte financing is here to stay
Understanding why and when UN member states withhold assessed contributions
casquebleu.substack.com
June 19, 2026 at 3:15 PM
This week, I examine why and when countries fail to pay their #UN dues to show that the weaponization of assessed contributions isn't going away anytime soon. The UN needs to reduce its financial reliance on a small number of countries, and soon.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/a-la-carte...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/a-la-carte...
Policymakers don't seem to understand comparative advantage. Although embracing the concept should help improve coherence and collective impact of #UN response, misunderstanding it exacerbates existing turf wars and fragmentation.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/the-perils...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/the-perils...
The perils of misunderstanding comparative advantage
Policymakers are getting it wrong
casquebleu.substack.com
June 12, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Policymakers don't seem to understand comparative advantage. Although embracing the concept should help improve coherence and collective impact of #UN response, misunderstanding it exacerbates existing turf wars and fragmentation.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/the-perils...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/the-perils...
There has been a dramatic increase in the use of gratis personnel in the #UN Secretariat, particularly for #peacekeeping. This week, I examine why this is happening and whether it is a positive development.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/gratis-per...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/gratis-per...
Gratis personnel and the pay to play problem
Personnel can be earmarked contributions too
casquebleu.substack.com
May 14, 2026 at 2:43 PM
There has been a dramatic increase in the use of gratis personnel in the #UN Secretariat, particularly for #peacekeeping. This week, I examine why this is happening and whether it is a positive development.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/gratis-per...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/gratis-per...
The #UN needs to accept that U.S. non-payment is the new normal. Many of the reforms that the U.S. is now demanding should be implemented not because of the possibility that the U.S. will pay up, but because those reforms are, in fact, necessary.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/reforms-wo...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/reforms-wo...
Reforms won’t get the United States to pay up
…but that doesn’t mean the United Nations shouldn’t reform
casquebleu.substack.com
April 30, 2026 at 2:26 PM
The #UN needs to accept that U.S. non-payment is the new normal. Many of the reforms that the U.S. is now demanding should be implemented not because of the possibility that the U.S. will pay up, but because those reforms are, in fact, necessary.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/reforms-wo...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/reforms-wo...
The fact that the Falklands is back in the news complicates Rafael Grossi’s run for #UN Secretary-General as the dispute may make support for an Argentine candidate a non-starter for the UK, which retains a veto in the selection process.
UK position on Falklands will not change, No 10 says after leaked Pentagon memo
UK position on Falklands will not change, No 10 says after leaked Pentagon memo
Internal email proposes US should reassess support for UK claim to islands because of lack of support for Iran war
*
UK politics live – latest updates
The UK’s position on the Falklands is resolute and unchanging, Downing Street has insisted, after a leaked Pentagon internal email proposed the US should reassess its support for Britain’s claim to the islands because of a lack of support over Iran.
Keir Starmer’s spokesperson did not push back against the likely veracity of the email but insisted that the UK’s defence and security relationship with the US remained extremely strong. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
April 28, 2026 at 3:04 PM
The fact that the Falklands is back in the news complicates Rafael Grossi’s run for #UN Secretary-General as the dispute may make support for an Argentine candidate a non-starter for the UK, which retains a veto in the selection process.
The interactive dialogues marked a new phase in the race for #UN Secretary-General, but the shape of the race remains much the same as it was beforehand. The race is still open, and more candidates are likely to emerge in the months ahead.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/secretary-...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/secretary-...
Secretary-General selection: state of play after the interactive dialogues
The race is far from over
casquebleu.substack.com
April 23, 2026 at 1:13 PM
The interactive dialogues marked a new phase in the race for #UN Secretary-General, but the shape of the race remains much the same as it was beforehand. The race is still open, and more candidates are likely to emerge in the months ahead.
casquebleu.substack.com/p/secretary-...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/secretary-...
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...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/burning-di...
Burning diesel and driving in circles
Mismatched incentives in UN peacekeeping operations
casquebleu.substack.com
March 26, 2026 at 12:45 PM
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...
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...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/what-drive...
What drives the largest cost driver in peacekeeping?
Troop reimbursement and the pass-through problem
casquebleu.substack.com
March 19, 2026 at 2:25 PM
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...
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...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK7h...
The UN Without the United States: UN Peacekeeping
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
www.youtube.com
March 13, 2026 at 12:08 PM
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...
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-...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/improving-...
Improving the security of peacekeepers is not a technical exercise
Missing the forest for the trees
casquebleu.substack.com
March 12, 2026 at 4:27 PM
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-...
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...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/walking-th...
Walking the talk on local ownership
Another argument for rethinking UN compensation arrangements
casquebleu.substack.com
March 5, 2026 at 4:07 PM
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...
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...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/un-transit...
UN transitions in a changed geopolitical context
More lessons not learned
casquebleu.substack.com
February 27, 2026 at 9:38 AM
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...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/un-transit...
Reposted by Eugene Chen
🔍 Le dernier rapport politique d'Eugene Chen (@casquebleu.org) examine quatre défis persistants qui affectent aujourd'hui les #opérations de paix des #NationsUnies.
February 16, 2026 at 6:02 PM
🔍 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...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/considerat...
Considerations for a new vision for peace operations
Remarks to the Strategic Police Advisory Group
casquebleu.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:36 PM
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...
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).
Au cours des 80 dernières années, les opérations de paix de l’ONU ont été un outil essentiel pour le maintien de la paix et de la sécurité internationales. Mais est-il temps d'adopter une nouvelle approche ?
Découvrez les réflexions de @casquebleu.org:
cic.nyu.edu/resources/a-...
Découvrez les réflexions de @casquebleu.org:
cic.nyu.edu/resources/a-...
February 11, 2026 at 1:37 PM
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...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/whether-th...
Whether the UN faces imminent financial collapse is up to the Secretary-General
Stop admiring the problem—do something
casquebleu.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:48 PM
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...
casquebleu.substack.com/p/whether-th...