After the Cold War, peacekeeping expanded beyond ceasefires. Western governments, led by the United States, added elections, state-building, economic reforms, and human rights to peace plans. These ideas reflected Western political values and were treated as universal solutions.
For decades, Washington shaped what peacebuilding looked like. It had the money, military power, and diplomatic reach. Many peace missions followed a formula: bring in outside experts, set standards, and push reforms from the top down.
But that system is now under pressure. Conflicts are more complex, and trust in Western leadership has weakened. Critics point to double standards, saying Western powers defend human rights in some wars while looking away in others.
In Ukraine, the US and EU gave heavy military and financial aid. In Gaza and Myanmar, responses were largely limited to sanctions and statements. These inconsistencies fueled accusations of hypocrisy and damaged Western
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