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Q: Has the United Nations Become A Joke In The World?
My father says they "lost their teeth" long ago and now it is just a political forum where accusations are made but they have no power to prevent any conflicts. He says the fabricated war in Iraq was a perfect example where the United Nations voted to postpone military intervention until nuclear inspectors finished their job, but America ignored them and did what they wanted anyway. Now Russia is doing the same thing. What's up with the UN?
Not quite but almost. Keep in mind that the UN and almost all other "world" organizations were formed when China was isolated from the world (pre 1978) so they had no input as to the by-laws and procedures, yet today they must abide by the same rules and procedures that favor western developed nations. Not quite fair when China is the fastest growing economy in history and contributes about 20% of the world's GDP and creates 30% of all the new jobs in the world.
BUT, having said that, at least the UN is a place where diplomats can talk to one another instead of bomb one another. So the public forum it provides has great value. Personally I think the UN would become more meaningful and productive to the world if they eliminated the veto power given to just 7 nations completely and make the organization 100% democratic.
Englteachted:
"were formed when China was isolated from the world (pre 1978) so they had no input as to the by-laws and procedures, yet today they must abide by the same rules and procedures that favor western developed nations. Not quite fair when China is the fastest growing economy in history and contributes about 20% of the world's GDP and creates 30% of all the new jobs in the world."
Is there anyone who still doubts that this is a mouthpiece. What rule and procedures China is forced to comply with? Fair trade, no they cheat, lie and scam not to mention the unbalanced tariffs on goods imported vs goods exported. Freedom, nope (we can't talk more about this).
The UN is the reason why China's economy grew so fast post 79. And where are you getting those stats? The truth is , the UN along with the WTO actually helped to ship jobs from US, Europe, Canada and Aus to China.
DrMonkey:
I've a problem with your statements on the history points. UN was formed in 1945. China was a founding nation of the UN (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_United_Nations). China in 1945 was in any ways isolated from the world, they got heavy help (weapons, training, lending. A famous supply line was http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hump) from US. Indeed, the then leader of China, Tchang Kai Check, was surnamed "Cash My Check" by Truman. China was hardly isolated when UN was created.
Grumpy:
Ted, Can you make any opinion without labeling people who disagree with you or making comparisons to China? I left you a message at another thread about Jamie Dimon. Please read it stop your paranoid nonsense. I am as as big a fan of the Chinese government as yourself. Got it?
The UN has been very important over it's time. It has helped poorer countries. It has helped to intervene in some bloody situations. It has maintained dialog between countries who hate each other.
It is easy to pick on the UN but the truth is there hasn't been another world war. And they are not a government. They do not have authority in any country. Their effectiveness is limited by powerful countries with their own agendas .
the UN peace-keeping force is one of the better, and unfortunately most impotent armies in the world.
icnif77:
Since when? They get abducted in 1992 by Serbians in Srebrenica. They still dig massive graves of Srebrenica residents, who were 'protected' by UN troops. On another note, UN doesn't exist without Russia and China.
Grumpy:
Just curious why you say "better" when the UN forces are always changing. Sometimes they a mixture of Canadians, Germans, and Brits for one campaign, and maybe for another it is Aussies, Kenyans, and Belgium troops. It is never just one army, and as "peace keeper soldiers" they usually do no fighting unless fired upon. More like policemen than soldiers if you know what I mean.
sorrel:
by 'better', i mean they are non-provocative when compared with some other armies, especially in places that are sensitive to certain countries.
However, they are impotent when it comes to stepping in and giving assistance in certain circumstances, often with great loss to human life. The UN Security council can often tie their hands or prevent their deployment.
But, what i admire is the fact that smaller countries can take part is an means of contributing to the security of ordinary people
It is by no means a perfect organisation, but it is better than nothing
Like others have said, the UN could be very powerful and effective... if only a couple of the super-powers would actually let it. The world does need a strong UN, and a strong militarised UN at that.
Instead, most countries (read: governments) think it's more important to look after its own, without understanding how one thing impacts another. Having the UN mobilise its military would send a far stronger message than just one or 2 countries choosing to intervene...
Also, the immunity given to various nation's ought to be revoked. At the moment, no US military personnel (or other citizen acting on behalf of the US - for whatever reason) can be tried for war crimes (Link) - and that, to me, sucks!
Englteachted:
Thank you, Russia, US and China are 3 of the biggest reasons why the UN is ineffective at times. We can't just expect the UN to magically do the right thing whenever it wants, that type of thinking is immature.
Is UN a joke? Fox & WP editorial on 'joke':
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/04/washington-post-obamas-foreig...
Washington Post: Obama’s foreign policy based on fantasy
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/04/fallout-over-ukraine-chatteri...
Fallout Over Ukraine: The chattering classes blame Obama
At National Review, John Fund spreads the blame:
“Barack Obama is the second U.S. president in a row to badly misjudge Vladimir Putin. In 2001, after his first meeting with Putin, George W. Bush famously toldColin Powell, his secretary of state, that he thought the Russian leader was religious. ‘Powell, I looked into Putin’s eyes and I saw his soul.’ To which Powell replied: ‘Mr. President, I looked into President Putin’s eyes and I saw the KGB.’
People will always disagree. The UN is where people can agree they disagree.
I like that. It's better to trade insults rather than bullets.
Yes, but that said, the UN have, on more than one occasion, many occasions, been forced to stand idly by and do nothing more than record mass atrocities...genocide, etc....whilst they've actually been taking place. They couldn't intervene because they are nothing in the face of reality.
Good idea...but nothing more than that.
And then the Peacemakers come home and file their PTSD claims and nothing changes except the bottom line.
Do you know what the answer is........do you???
http://news.yahoo.com/russia-test-fires-icbm-amid-tension-over-ukraine-1...
Russia test-fires ICBM amid tension over Ukraine
A U.S. official said the United States had received proper notification from Russia ahead of the test and that the initial notification pre-dated the crisis in Crimea. The Russian Defence Ministry could not be reached for comment.
Yes, they've become useless during conflicts and only good at maid service.
