Case Studies on UN Information Operations Ethiopia, Liberia, and Kosovo

Abstract

Over the past ten years, the demand for UN Information Operations (IO) has grown, with the UN initiating or strengthening seventeen peacekeeping operations and increasing the number of deployed UN personnel. Given the growing demand for UN peacekeeping, we will examine, assess, and make recommendations for increasing UN Information operations during peacekeeping (IODP) effectiveness. This thesis will focus on UN information operations from a tactical methodology of peacekeeping operations utilizing the information hierarchy of needs in a post conflict situation. To determine whether the United Nations has established IODP, the following questions are addressed What is more important the IO message or the information system (IS) Is a successful system sufficient for IO success What is the information hierarchy What impact does the information hierarchy have on peacekeeping operations Who should deliver the message How should the message be delivered What is the structure for evaluating UN IODP When, where, and how has the UN succeeded in utilizing IODP in missions Where has it failed and what were the IO issues it faced How can the United Nations and member countries better utilize information operations How can the United Nations utilize the information hierarchy to garner public support in post-conflict environments How can the United Nations counter competing information How do you manage expectations in a post conflict situation Are the tools used by the United Nations for managing expectations during peacekeeping operations effective Specifically, in this thesis, we examine(1) the evolution of UN IODP over the past decade; (2) the characteristics of ongoing IODP in case studies from Kosovo, Liberia, and Eritrea-Ethiopia; (3) the current structure for evaluating the UN IODP and the challenges, if any, the current structure poses, specifically in the previously mentioned case; and (4) countering disinformation efforts in IODP case studies.