The United Nations is under fire for its inability to prevent or resolve ongoing conflicts worldwide. Critics argue that the UN is failing in its core mission of maintaining peace and international security, pointing to the ongoing bloodshed in conflicts such as Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan.
However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres disagrees with this assessment. He believes that the lack of peace and security is not due to the UN's institutional failures, but rather the actions of its member states. Guterres emphasizes that the UN is only as effective as its members allow it to be.
The UN Security Council, responsible for securing and enforcing peace, is currently paralyzed on key issues like Gaza and Ukraine. This is due to vetoes wielded by Washington and Moscow, leading to deep divisions among permanent members. Slovenia's UN ambassador, Samuel Zbogar, has condemned the "poisonous mood" in the council, blaming Washington and Moscow for it.
Despite these challenges, experts like Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group offer a more nuanced perspective. Gowan notes that the UN has never been able to stop conflicts involving major powers. However, he argues that it's better to have countries arguing in the Security Council than engaging in hot wars. This highlights the complex and often frustrating nature of international diplomacy, where the UN plays a crucial but limited role.