This is something that I've wanted to discuss for quite a while.
Along the way to the current war in Iraq and during every crisis since, a lot of talk has been made about the "obsolescence" and "corruption" of the UN. In every major humanitarian crisis of the last decade "Where is the UN" is one of the first things you hear, especially from the US.
Assuming the UN's obsolescence, what are your opinions on the organization that's to take its place? As has become apparent in the last few years the US haven't the strength or the legitimization to turn into "Globocop" as Time once put it. So what should happen? The UN as is now are totally dependent on their member states to provide manpower and material for any intervention. Would an actual standing autonomous UN army provide a solution or would it lead to bigger problems down the road?
And what about national sovereignty? Should there be a mechanism in place to provide the UN with the ability to quickly declare a government illegitimate with regards to international law and try to intervene? The one in place right now seems awfully slow. By the time something can be done about, say, a civil war, tens of thousands of civilians can die. Should the UN be able, as governments are, to declare "martial law" in a region, regardless of that region's government? Remember that while it may be easy to say yes to the above when another country is concerned, what if during Katrina for example, such an organization said to the US government "You're messing this up. Back of we're taking over"?
Forgive me if this post seems preachy or antagonistic. This is not my intent. I really would like your opinions on this.
Along the way to the current war in Iraq and during every crisis since, a lot of talk has been made about the "obsolescence" and "corruption" of the UN. In every major humanitarian crisis of the last decade "Where is the UN" is one of the first things you hear, especially from the US.
Assuming the UN's obsolescence, what are your opinions on the organization that's to take its place? As has become apparent in the last few years the US haven't the strength or the legitimization to turn into "Globocop" as Time once put it. So what should happen? The UN as is now are totally dependent on their member states to provide manpower and material for any intervention. Would an actual standing autonomous UN army provide a solution or would it lead to bigger problems down the road?
And what about national sovereignty? Should there be a mechanism in place to provide the UN with the ability to quickly declare a government illegitimate with regards to international law and try to intervene? The one in place right now seems awfully slow. By the time something can be done about, say, a civil war, tens of thousands of civilians can die. Should the UN be able, as governments are, to declare "martial law" in a region, regardless of that region's government? Remember that while it may be easy to say yes to the above when another country is concerned, what if during Katrina for example, such an organization said to the US government "You're messing this up. Back of we're taking over"?
Forgive me if this post seems preachy or antagonistic. This is not my intent. I really would like your opinions on this.
