The Decline of the United Nations: A Toothless Global Forum

[Social Media]

 

It’s that time of the year again in New York City when the streets are clogged, not by regular traffic but by the arrival of world leaders for the United Nations General Assembly. Some African dictators are holed up in their luxury suites, while Arab leaders indulge in their five-star hotel minibars. All the while, the global stage is set for diplomatic speeches that achieve little more than headline fodder.

 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took the podium recently and made a dramatic comparison, likening Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. "Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must also be stopped by the alliance of humanity," Erdogan proclaimed. This dramatic and inflammatory rhetoric highlights a common theme at the United Nations—leaders with questionable records on human rights using the stage to point fingers and level accusations at democratic nations. 

 

Erdogan went on to criticize the United Nations as a "dysfunctional structure," a sentiment shared by many. Yet, the irony of his words is lost on him, as he embodies much of what makes the U.N. ineffective. Erdogan’s government has been known for its authoritarian practices, including the jailing of journalists and political opponents. After the supposed coup attempt in 2016, he jailed approximately 50,000 people, continuing a campaign of repression, especially against the Kurdish population.

 

The U.N., originally founded to foster peace and cooperation, now provides a platform for leaders like Erdogan, Vladimir Putin, and the rulers of Iran and Qatar—figures who flout human rights and democratic principles. It’s a stage where the world’s democracies should shine, but instead, even Western leaders fall into the same traps of self-indulgence and ineffectiveness.

 

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy recently delivered a speech that had the potential to focus on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Instead, Lammy diverted attention to himself, emphasizing his identity as a Black man whose ancestors were enslaved. While his personal history is undoubtedly significant, it offered little relevance to addressing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Lammy’s focus on his own background mirrored a broader trend in the West, where politicians seem to believe their personal stories provide them with unique insights into global affairs. However, speeches like his do little to confront the real issues at hand—Russia’s imperialism and aggression.

 

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden used his time on the podium to call for a ceasefire in the Middle East, as if Hamas and Hezbollah were eagerly awaiting diplomatic advice. “Now is the time for the parties to finalize its terms, bring the hostages home,” Biden said, as if this simple directive would suddenly lead to a resolution. On the escalating war between Israel and Hezbollah, Biden stated, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” despite the fact that such a conflict could arguably be in the interest of the minorities in Lebanon or Israelis living under constant rocket fire. His call for diplomacy seemed especially hollow given the U.N.’s failure to enforce Resolution 1701, which was supposed to limit Hezbollah’s arms buildup but has been ignored for nearly two decades.

 

The U.N. today, filled with global bad actors, is toothless in the face of real challenges. While leaders from democratic nations should be using this platform to address genuine threats and present clear actions, they often fall short, offering little more than hollow rhetoric. The world needs more than speeches—it needs action.

 

Based on a report from: NYP 2024-10-01

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

The UN can be saved even now, but only by removing the veto from the security council permanent members.

 

Otherwise it can join the League of Nations in the garbage bin of history.

[thaibeachlovers]

23 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden used his time on the podium to call for a ceasefire in the Middle East,

IMO speaking with forked tongue, given he allows the endless supply of weapons to israel to prosecute a one sided assault on an almost defenseless people.