Peacekeeping missions at risk due to cuts, tensions report

International peacekeeping missions face weakening capacity due to geopolitical deadlock, funding problems, and declining personnel numbers. Personnel deployed in international peacekeeping missions fell to just under 79,000 at the end of 2025, the lowest level in 25 years and 49% below 2016. United Nations-managed missions are particularly affected. Deep cuts to personnel followed donor countries failing to meet financial commitments, creating a $2 billion funding shortfall. Hardline demands and veto threats from permanent members of the UN Security Council have complicated decisions on renewing operation mandates. Continued trends could lead to dramatic weakening of multilateral conflict management and greater civilian harm as states abandon established norms.

"International peacekeeping missions are in peril due to global geopolitical deadlock, funding issues and declining personnel numbers, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said Monday. Missions managed by the United Nations have been particularly affected, a SIPRI study said. The analysis found that just under 79,000 personnel were deployed in international peacekeeping missions at the end of 2025, its lowest point in 25 years and 49% lower than in 2016."

"If things continue in this way, we could see a dramatic weakening of multilateral conflict management and the near-complete sidelining of institutions like the United Nations. The result is likely to be more conflicts, and these conflicts are likely to have even graver impacts on civilians as states abandon long-established norms. He said the peacekeeping crisis was due to a perfect storm of funding, political and geopolitical factors."

"The UN has had to make deep cuts to personnel numbers after large donor countries failed to meet their financial commitments, SIPRI said, resulting in a $2 billion (1.7 billion) funding shortfall. Under President Donald Trump, the US has slashed its aid programs and looked to dial back its commitments to international organizations and institutions such as the UN and the World Health Organisation."

"The study also said hardline demands and veto threats from permanent members of the UN Security Council had complicated decisions on renewing operation mandates. As a result, international peacekeeping efforts face delays and reduced continuity in operations, undermining the ability to manage conflicts and protect civilians."

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