US Unlocks Funds for UN Peacekeeping Missions in Lebanon, DRC, and Haiti : Shared by Tom McDermott

 Trump Administration to Unlock Hundreds of Millions for UN Peacekeeping

Colum Lynch – Devex, October 6, 2025

Click here for the article

Summary

Despite proposing to eliminate all U.S. peacekeeping contributions in its 2026 budget, the Trump administration has authorized roughly $400 million to fund select UN operations in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as to help launch a 5,500-strong Gang Suppression Force in Haiti. The move signals a shift toward an “à la carte” approach — supporting missions that align with Washington’s interests while withholding funds from others. Critics say this undermines the UN’s collective financing model and treaty obligations requiring the U.S. to pay its full assessed share.

U.S. arrears to UN peacekeeping now exceed $1.5 billion due to a self-imposed 25 percent cap, below the UN-assessed rate of 26 to 27 percent. While Washington claims its selective payments are temporary, the approach risks encouraging other nations to follow suit, deepening the UN’s cash crisis. Analysts warn that piecemeal funding could weaken mission stability and politicize peace operations. At the same time, U.S. officials defend the move as strategic prioritization — focusing resources on “effective” operations such as MONUSCO and UNIFIL while rejecting missions they deem inefficient or corrupt.

Within the UN Security Council, the Haiti initiative has provoked skepticism from China and other members over its undefined rules of engagement and lack of identified lead nation. China’s ambassador accused Washington of demanding a “blank check” without ensuring accountability or civilian protection. Still, U.S. diplomats insist the mission is vital to curbing gang violence and preventing migration and narcotics flows to U.S. shores. For the UN, desperately short of funds, accepting targeted support may be the only realistic option.

Quotes

“This tactic shows that the Trump Administration has no problem instrumentalizing the UN — supporting only some of its peace and security efforts while disregarding the rest.” — Daniel Forti, International Crisis Group

“The U.S. does intend to pay its share of assessed contributions for the UN Support Office for Haiti.” — Henry Wooster, U.S. chargé d’affaires

“We’re going to have mass waves of illegal immigration to the shores of the United States … it’s not going to be good.” — Henry Wooster, U.S. Foreign Press Center briefing