Can the UN address Today’s Security Challenges?

This week, Heads of State from around the world gathered in New York for the 71^st General Assembly of the United Nations. Obviously, any event on this scale would be substantial but this year was significant because it marked the end of term of Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and President Obama. The main points of the daunting agenda include a brewing war between India and Pakistan, the failure of the ceasefire in Syria, North Korea’s nuclear weapons and the migration crisis in Europe. Phew!

This week instead of providing a report of the proceedings, I thought I would take a step back to ask the question if the UN is capable of effectively addressing these significant global challenges. One of the UNs primary goals at the time of its formation was “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” Can the UN achieve this goal in a different economic and political climate; 70 years after if its formation? My answer is a very simple ‘No’. Allow me to explain.

Firstly, let us evaluate the Security Council which is made up of 15 member states – 5 permanent members and 10 rotating members. These five permanent members (US, UK, France, China and Russia) have a veto power over any resolution. Without the approval of all five permanent members no resolutions can be passed by the Security Council.  It is no accident that I chose to name the permanent members in the above order. It represents the level of amiability among the members. On numerous fronts, schisms exist between Russia and the US, and China and the US. The UK and France which most often echo similar western liberal values, often side with the US. A newly assertive (and seemingly unresponsive) Russia and China will lead to further stalemates. This more or less renders the Security Council impotent in the face of major crises and dependent on the whims and fancies of major powers.

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