US policy on peacekeeping in the Middle East is not unitary but derives from the intersection between US strategic policy in the Middle East and US attitudes to peacekeeping in general. During the cold war, the United States supported UN and multinational peacekeeping and observer missions as a means of stabilizing conflicts and avoiding superpower confrontation. In the period between the end of the cold war and 9/11, peacekeeping was minimally relevant in the region. Since 9/11, counter-terrorism concerns and broader efforts to stabilize the region have led the United States to support ambitious NATO, UN and European Union peace operations in the region.