UNITED ORGANIZATION SEEMS TO BE A TOOTHLESS BULLDOG IN MAINTAINING PEACE AND ORDER GLOBALLY

THE UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 with the primary aim of maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, and fostering social and economic development. However, over the decades, the UN has often been criticized for being ineffective, or a "toothless bulldog," when it comes to preventing conflicts and enforcing peace. This perception arises from several instances where the UN has either failed to prevent conflicts or has been unable to effectively intervene due to various limitations.

FAILURES IN CONFLICT PREVENTION AND RESOLUTION

Rwandan Genocide in 1994

One of the most notable examples of the UN's failure to maintain peace is the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. Despite clear warnings of impending mass violence, the UN failed to take decisive action. The UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) was under-resourced and constrained by a limited mandate, leading to the massacre of an estimated 800,000 people (Power, 2001). The international community's inability to act in Rwanda is often cited as one of the UN's most significant failures.

The Bosnian War

The UN's intervention in the Bosnian War (1992-1995) highlighted its weaknesses. Despite the presence of UN peacekeepers, the massacre in Srebrenica, where over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed, occurred under the watch of the UN. The failure to prevent the genocide, despite declaring Srebrenica a "safe area," severely damaged the UN's credibility (Holbrooke, 1998).

Syrian Civil War

In the Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, the UN has also struggled to make a meaningful impact. Despite numerous resolutions and peace efforts, the conflict has persisted for over a decade, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and a massive humanitarian crisis. The Security Council's paralysis, due to the veto power wielded by permanent members with conflicting interests (notably Russia and the United States), has prevented unified action (Lynch, 2015).

The Israel-Palestine Conflict

The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict is another significant example where the United Nations has been criticized for its limited effectiveness, often being viewed as a "toothless bulldog." The UN has long been involved in efforts to mediate peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but the conflict remains unresolved, with periodic escalations in violence.

The UN has passed numerous resolutions concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict, including calls for ceasefires, condemnation of violence, and affirmations of the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. However, these resolutions have often been ignored or only partially implemented. For instance, UN Security Council Resolution 242, passed in 1967 after the Six-Day War, called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied during the war and the recognition of every state's right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries. Despite its significance, the resolution has not led to a lasting solution, and the occupation continues to be a central issue in the conflict (Gordon & Perugini, 2020).

The UN's inability to enforce its resolutions and bring about a sustainable peace agreement is partly due to the political dynamics within the Security Council. The United States, a key ally of Israel, has repeatedly used its veto power to block resolutions that are seen as unfavorable to Israel. For example, in December 2017, the U.S. vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called for the withdrawal of the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a move that was widely criticized internationally (Fassihi, 2017). This veto power has often prevented the UN from taking stronger actions that could pressure the parties to negotiate a peaceful resolution.

The UN has also faced challenges in its peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts in the region. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has provided essential services to Palestinian refugees for decades, but it has been underfunded and criticized for its limited impact in improving the long-term situation of refugees. Additionally, during conflicts like the 2014 Gaza War and the recent escalations in 2021, UN efforts to broker ceasefires were met with limited success, as violence continued despite international calls for peace (Rudoren, 2014).

STRUCTURAL AND POLITICAL LIMITATIONS

The UN's ability to maintain peace is often hampered by its own structural and political limitations. The Security Council, the body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, is frequently deadlocked due to the veto power held by its five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States). This structure can render the UN ineffective in addressing conflicts where the interests of these powerful states diverge.

For example, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and escalated with the 2022 invasion, has highlighted the UN's limitations. Russia's veto power in the Security Council has prevented the UN from taking strong action against Russian aggression, leading to accusations that the organization is unable to enforce its own principles when powerful member states are involved (Thakur, 2022).

SUCCESSES AND ONGOING CHALLENGES

Despite these criticisms, the UN has had some successes in peacekeeping and conflict resolution. UN peacekeeping missions in places like Namibia, Cambodia, and East Timor have helped stabilize post-conflict societies and facilitated transitions to democratic governance (Doyle & Sambanis, 2006). Additionally, the UN has played a crucial role in facilitating international cooperation on issues like climate change, health crises, and nuclear non-proliferation.

However, these successes are often overshadowed by the organization's failures in high-profile conflicts. The perception of the UN as a "toothless bulldog" persists largely because of its inability to prevent or effectively intervene in major conflicts, especially those involving powerful member states.

CONCLUSION

The United Nations' effectiveness in maintaining global peace and order is constrained by structural weaknesses, particularly the veto power within the Security Council, and the complex realities of international politics. While the UN has had successes in some areas, its failures in preventing and resolving conflicts in places like Rwanda, Bosnia, and Syria have contributed to the perception that it is a "toothless bulldog." For the UN to fulfill its mandate more effectively, reforms that address these structural and political challenges may be necessary, though such reforms are themselves difficult to achieve given the entrenched interests of its most powerful members.

REFERENCES

Doyle, M. W., & Sambanis, N. (2006). Making War and Building Peace: United Nations Peace Operations. Princeton University Press.

Fassihi, F. (2017). U.S. Vetoes U.N. Resolution on Status of Jerusalem. The Wall Street Journal.

Gordon, N., & Perugini, N. (2020). The Human Right to Dominate. Oxford University Press.

Holbrooke, R. (1998). To End a War. Random House.

Lynch, C. (2015). Security Council Deadlock Paralyzes U.N. as Syria War Rages On. Foreign Policy.

Power, S. (2001). Bystanders to Genocide: Why the United States Let the Rwandan Tragedy Happen. The Atlantic.

Rudoren, J. (2014). Cease-Fire in Gaza Expires, and Attacks Resume. The New York Times.

Thakur, R. (2022). Ukraine Crisis: Is the United Nations Really Helpless? The Diplomat.