History & Civics
Do you think the UN has justified the role for which it was established in 1945, considering the recent wars between Ukraine and Russia and Iran and Israel? Give reasons to support your answer.
United Nations
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Answer
The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 to maintain international peace and security. However, its effectiveness is questioned, especially in recent conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Iran-Israel.
1. Failure to Prevent Wars
(i) Russia-Ukraine War: The UN failed to stop Russia’s invasion, as Russia vetoed resolutions against itself in the Security Council. This shows UN's limitations in enforcing peace when a P5 country is involved.
(ii) Iran-Israel Conflict: Despite UN calls for de-escalation, both nations continue military actions, showing the UN's limited influence.
2. Veto Power Weakens Action
(i) The five permanent members (P5)—USA, UK, Russia, China, France—use veto power to block resolutions based on national interests.
(ii) Russia used Veto power to block actions against itself in the Ukraine war, and the US has vetoed resolutions on Israel, making the UN politically ineffective in major conflicts.
3. Lack of Military Enforcement
(i) The UN relies on diplomacy and economic sanctions, which are often ignored by powerful nations.
(ii) It does not have its own army and depends on the member states for action, making it slow and ineffective in stopping wars.
4. Success in Humanitarian Aid
(i) UN agencies (WHO, WFP, UNHCR) have provided food, medical aid, and refugee support in war zones.
(ii) However, aid alone cannot stop conflicts, proving the UN is reactive rather than preventive.
While the UN plays a crucial role in diplomacy and humanitarian aid, it has failed to prevent wars involving powerful nations due to veto power and lack of enforcement mechanisms.
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Related Questions
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(a) Composition of the Security Council.
(b) Veto power.
(c) Four of its functions.
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