Blue Helmets, Red Tape
This is a weekly column that provides me a vehicle through which to provide analysis and commentary on an issue related to the United Nations—such as institutional reform, financing, or peace operations—that has been on my mind.
Unlike my longer-form publications, these posts will be shorter pieces, but are also likely to be more timely and actionable. This column is intended for an audience of United Nations insiders, including delegates, desk officers in capitals, United Nations staff members, and researchers.
Why subscribe?
For now, all posts are free to read when they are published, but the ability to comment and access to posts that are older than two weeks are available only to paid subscribers.
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Other writings
A selection of my other writings is available below:
Chapters in edited volumes
Chen, E. & Coleman, K. (2024). “Reinvigorating UN Peacekeeping.” In Kornprobst, M. & Redo, S. (Eds.), Reinvigorating the UN (pp. 131-150). Routledge. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781032707648-10
Book reviews
Chen, E. (2024). Blue helmet bureaucrats: United Nations peacekeeping and the reinvention of colonialism, 1945–1971: by Margot Tudor, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2023, 310 pp., £85.00, ISBN 9781009264921. International Peacekeeping, 32(1), 156–158. https://doi-org.proxy.library.nyu.edu/10.1080/13533312.2024.2394871
Policy publications
2025
Chen, E (2025, May 21). Reflecting on the 2025 Peacekeeping Ministerial. New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/reflections-on-the-2025-peacekeeping-ministerial/
Chen, E. (2025). Preparing for the Worst Case for UN Assessed Funding Under Trump 2.0. New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/preparing-for-the-worst-case-for-un-assessed-funding-under-trump-2-0/
2024
Chen, E. (2024, November 21). What Might Be in Store for the United Nations under a Second Trump Presidency? IPI Global Observatory. https://theglobalobservatory.org/2024/11/what-might-be-in-store-for-the-united-nations-under-a-second-trump-presidency/
Chen, E. (2024). A New Vision for Peace Operations (Or how I learned to stop worrying and love Christmas tree mandates). New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/a-new-vision-for-peace-operations/
Chen, E. (2024, September 24). ‘Recommit to Multilateralism': What to Expect from the Summit of the Future". Global Policy. https://www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/24/09/2024/recommit-multilateralism-what-expect-summit-future
Chen, E. (2024). Easier Said than Done: Overcoming Coherence Challenges Within the United Nations System. New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/overcoming-coherence-challenges-within-the-un/
Chen, E. (2024). The Liquidity Crisis at the United Nations: How We Got Here and Possible Ways Out. New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/the-liquidity-crisis-at-the-united-nations-how-we-got-here-and-possible-ways-out/
Chen, E. (2024, May 23). Gaza: Assessing Options for the UN's Role for the Day After. New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/gaza-assessing-options-for-the-uns-role-for-the-day-after/
Chen, E. (2024, March 11) Sorry, Ambassador Bolton. U.S. membership in the UN is burden-sharing at its best. New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/sorry-ambassador-bolton-us-membership-at-the-un-is-burden-sharing-at-its-best/
Chen, E. (2024). Next Steps on the Financing of African Peace Support Operations: Unpacking Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023). New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/next-steps-on-the-financing-of-african-peace-support-operations/
Chen, E., Yohannes, D., Dessu, M., Liaga, E., & Belay, T. (2024). A New Approach to United Nations Peace Operations: Pathways for Demand-Driven Interventions. New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/a-new-approach-to-united-nations-peace-operations-pathways-for-demand-driven-interventions/
Chen, E. (2024, January 31). How can the UN Best Support Kenya’s Mission to Haiti? Delay Provides Time to Reflect. IPI Global Observatory. https://theglobalobservatory.org/2024/01/how-can-the-un-best-support-kenyas-mission-to-haiti-delay-provides-time-to-reflect/
2023
Chen, E. (2023). Not a Silver Bullet: The Push for Assessed Contributions for African-led Peace Support Operations. New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/not-a-silver-bullet-the-push-for-assessed-contributions-for-african-led-peace-support-operations/
Chen, E. (2023, July 24). The MINUSMA Liquidation Process Unpacked. IPI Global Observatory. https://theglobalobservatory.org/2023/07/the-minusma-liquidation-process-unpacked/
Chen, E., Cliffe, S., Friedman, D., Francuz, B., Monnier, C., & Williams, M. (2023). Managing Opportunities, Challenges, and Expectations for the New Agenda for Peace. New York University Center on International Cooperation. https://cic.nyu.edu/resources/managing-opportunities-challenges-and-expectations-for-the-new-agenda-for-peace/
Chen, E. & McCrone, F. (2023). Renewable Energy & the United Nations: A Green Spark for Peace in South Sudan. Stimson Center. https://www.stimson.org/2023/renewable-energy-and-the-united-nations-a-green-spark-for-peace-in-south-sudan/
2022
Chen, E. (2022). Expanded Regular Budget Funding and a Grant-Making Mandate for UNOCT. Global Center on Cooperative Security. https://www.globalcenter.org/resource/expanded-regular-budget-funding-and-a-grant-making-mandate-for-unoct/
Aynte, A. & Chen, E. (2022). Powering Ahead: The United Nations and Somalia’s Renewable Energy Opportunity. Stimson Center. https://www.stimson.org/2022/powering-ahead-the-united-nations-and-somalias-renewable-energy-opportunity/
2021
Chen, E. (2021). Financing for Peacebuilding in Peace Operations and Transition Contexts. Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping & Peacebuilding. https://www.cccpa-eg.org/publications-details/979
