On the shortcomings of UN – Is the United Nations toothless in ending wars?

Source: This post on the shortcomings of UN has been created based on the article “Is the United Nations toothless in ending wars?” published in The Hindu on 3^rd November 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Important International institutions, agencies and fora – their structure, mandate.

News: This article discusses the reasons behind the inability of the United Nations to prevent violent conflicts. It also highlights reasons for the lack of diplomatic efforts to curtail the ongoing violence in Gaza.

A detailed article on the Israel-Palestine Conflict and India can be read here.

The recent conflicts in Gaza and between Russia-Ukraine have led to questions about the inability of the United Nations in bringing about peace.

How does the United Nations maintain peace and prevent conflict?

1) Preventive Diplomacy and Mediation: UN plays an important role in conflict prevention, using diplomacy, offices and mediation.

2) Peacekeeping Operations: Peacekeeping operations are called upon to maintain peace and security, and also to facilitate political processes, protect civilians, assist in disarmament, etc.

3) Peacebuilding Efforts: These are aimed at assisting countries emerging from conflict.

4) Countering Terrorism: 18 universal instruments against international terrorism have been elaborated.

5) UNGA: The General Assembly makes recommendations in the form of resolutions. Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security are taken here.

6) UNSC: The Security Council can take enforcement measures to maintain or restore international peace and security. Such measures range from economic sanctions to international military action.

Why is the UN ineffective in bringing in a ceasefire in violent conflicts?

1) Disagreement among the major powers: With the major powers developing severe differences, it has made it impossible for the UN with its frozen membership of decision-making bodies, such as the UNSC, to be able to undertake any meaningful action.

2) Unipolarity due to lack of a counterbalancing power: The end of the Cold War saw the demise of the Soviet Union and chaos. Post the Cold War, we saw a gradual decline in the ability of the UN to undertake any kind of meaningful role (in resolving conflicts). That was when the USA and their allies were able to proceed as they wanted.

3) Issues with the Veto Power: The UNSC, in its present veto model, does not provide any hope for addressing any international issue, since the national interests of the permanent 5 are in conflict.

4) Myth of the Liberal international order: During the Cold War, we had a liberal Western order led by the USA, not an international order.
For instance, the USA’s actions in Afghanistan and then in Iraq, reflected the ineffectiveness of the UN and the USA did what it wanted. There was no UN sanction to any of these conflicts.

Why is there a lack of diplomatic willingness to control the violence in this conflict?

1) Delicate domestic political situation: There have been sustained protests in Israel over controversial judicial reforms. The continuation of the conflict may serve a political end.

2) Lack of sympathy from the Arab World: Within the Gulf Arab states, there is little sympathy for the Palestinian cause. Even in Egypt and Jordan, there is little sympathy.

3) USA’s domestic political situation: The USA is also caught up with an election. The progress on the Abraham Accords has been stalled.

What is India’s foreign policy stance on the recent Israel-Palestine conflict?

India’s interests in the West Asian region have grown. India has strong ties with the Gulf Arab states and with Israel, and a large diaspora. In addition, India gets energy supplies from the Gulf Arab states.

In the recent Gaza Conflict, Hon’ble Prime Minister tweeted in a pro-Israel manner at the beginning of the conflict.

A few days later, the official spokesperson balanced it out by reiterating India’s traditional position on the Israel-Palestinian issue, stressing the two-state solution. Thereafter, we have sent aid to Palestinians and the Prime Minister has talked to various Arab leaders.

Question for practice:

The failure of the United Nations to prevent violent conflicts around the world has raised serious questions. Elaborate the reasons behind the ineffectiveness of the UN.