What worth is the UN?
I think the time has come for the world to re-evaluate the role and worth of the United Nations.
The organisation was set up with the best of intentions, but when, in recent times, it’s been called upon to show its teeth in order to help resolve conflict or bring rogue countries in line, it has proved to be toothless.
It’s darkest hour must have been when it failed to protect the men and boys of Srebrenica in July, 1995, when they were massacred despite the nearby presence of UN troops.
Since then the international peace-keeping force has hardly covered itself in glory.
Yes, it has helped separate warring factions on Africa’s troubled continent, but when it is needed to intervene in more expansive conflicts it has proved to be little more than a talking shop for nations.
If the Russians or
Chinese don't like what they hear, they simple veto any action and effectively hamstring the organisation’s powers to influence a given situation.
So, let’s draw up a new body; a new United Nations; only this time give it real teeth.
In the world we now live in (so different from when the UN was formed in 1945), it may be that economic clout and not military might holds the key to bringing rogue states to heel.
Perhaps NATO and the rest of the free world should look to the global economy as a weapon rather than missiles and planes.
Russia, it is said is currently being hurt by sanctions – brought in as punishment for their invasion of Ukraine - just as was Iran when they failed to fall in line with world opinion.
Going forward, any new union of nations should seek out the soft fiscal underbelly of those who are
bent on a path of death and destruction, and hit them hard where it hurts – in their pockets.
Sally Parker, sent via email.