Opinion | Venezuela, Gaza, Ukraine: is the UN failing?
Summary
The article critically evaluates the challenges faced by the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security, focusing on the limitations of the UN Security Council, its veto system, and the broader functions of the UN beyond great-power conflicts.
Key Points
- The UN Security Council’s veto power held by the P5 often paralyzes decisive action on international peace and security.
- The UN Charter grants the P5 permanent members both veto power and the ability to block reforms, creating a significant design flaw.
- Despite its paralysis in great-power conflicts, the UN still performs crucial functions in humanitarian relief, human rights monitoring, and peacekeeping.
- Reforming the Security Council veto is theoretically possible but practically impossible due to the P5’s interests and current global politics.
