Evaluation of United States of America Influence in Post 9/11 United Nations Peacekeeping Missions
Khalid Mahmood Shafi, M.Phil; Musarrat Jabeen, Ph.D

Abstract
Influence is the ability of a state to condition, profile and control the authoritative decisions and dealings of those who possess the formal-legal authority to take these decisions and actions. Descriptive analysis of United States of America (USA) influence in post 9/11 United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions is desirable as most of the literature showed the magnitude of US in UN peacekeeping missions in terms of strategic decisions but not characteristics of influence. The present study aimed to assess the characteristics having apparent influence in terms of funding and participation while the extended influence include the support to political process, protect civilians, assist in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, organization of elections, protect and promote human rights and in restoring the rule of law. A well-established, simply worded English-language questionnaire was established to assess the US influence in UN peace keeping missions. Total 150 respondents were recruited on the bases of purposive sampling from Pakistan Army served in UN peacekeeping mission post 9/11. The instrument was structured to extended US influence in UN peace keeping missions. While asking the question that the US influence on UN peacekeeping is good or not. 14 % of the total respondents were agreeing; 27 % remained neutral and 59 % were against, according to them US influence on UN peacekeeping is not good especially after 9/11. While discussing whether the US influence is in line with the interests of the local area. It was found that 21 % of the total respondents agreed, while 63 % were totally against and they reported that the US influence is not in line with the interests of the local area. About 47 % of the respondents agreed that US funding is sufficient for the peacekeeping, however, 41 % were against and found that it can be increased. On promotion and protection of human rights in part to UN peacekeeping missions was surveyed and results were found in a negative value. It may be because of violation of human rights by US itself mainly in self-generated wars like in Afghanistan and Iraq. 74 % were against this and according to them US has not shown any concerns for promotion and protection of human rights in conflict hit zones especially after 9/11.The ground facts reveals that US is contributing for UN peacekeeping missions in terms of funding which also remained satisfactory throughout the tenure of conceptual working of UN. While in other aspects the influence remained to protect self-interests whether they are economic, social or even political.

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