UN Under Fire for Failing to Maintain Peace and Security

As wars rage across the globe, the United Nations is facing intense criticism for its inability to maintain peace and international security. Critics argue that the organization is failing in its most basic job, while experts warn that it is being scapegoated for things that are beyond its control.

The UN’s record has been tarnished by the intensification of conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, among others. Critics point to these brutal conflicts as evidence that the global organization has failed in its mission. However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has a different view.

"It’s obvious that we are not having peace and security in the world, and it’s obvious that it’s not because of the UN as an institution that that doesn’t happen," Guterres told AFP. "It’s because of member states."

The Security Council, the UN body responsible for securing and enforcing peace, is largely paralyzed on issues such as Gaza and Ukraine due to vetoes wielded by Washington and Moscow. The deep divisions between the council’s permanent members have eroded its legitimacy and relevance, according to Slovenia’s UN ambassador Samuel Zbogar.

Despite the challenges, experts stress the importance of the UN’s peacekeeping operations, which have deployed 70,000 "blue helmets" worldwide to protect civilians. However, these missions have not been spared from bitter opposition, as seen in Mali, where the peacekeeping force was forced out by the ruling junta in 2023.

Oona Hathaway, a professor of international law at Yale University, defended the Security Council, highlighting the institution’s invisible successes. "What you don’t see is the wars that don’t happen," she said, calling for the rest of the UN’s 193 members to do their bit for peace through the General Assembly.

Gissou Nia of the US-based Atlantic Council think tank believes that the UN is the best multilateral system available, given the current global geopolitical situation. Jean-Marie Guehenno, the former head of UN peacekeeping, insisted that the institution is irreplaceable, despite being in a "rough patch."

Guterres emphasized the importance of the UN’s humanitarian role, stating that the organization’s agencies have been rescuing people in dramatic circumstances. While some observers would like to see the UN take a more proactive diplomatic role, Guterres acknowledged that the secretary-general has limited power and no money.

The UN’s challenges are evident, but experts believe that the organization remains a vital forum for international cooperation and a bellwether for global issues. As the world grapples with the complexities of international relations, the UN’s continued relevance and effectiveness will depend on its ability to adapt and evolve in response to the changing global landscape.