Membership of International Organisations The United Nations UN

Membership of International Organisations

The United Nations (UN) (…and its specialised agencies) • The USA is a prominent member of the UN and a permanent member of the UN Security Council • The UN was created with the hope of creating global peace and stability. Since 1948, the UN has attempted to end conflicts and create stability through peacekeeping operations in many countries, including Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mozambique, Namibia and Tajikistan. • At times, the UN has been unable to resolve conflicts and has also been ignored by the USA and other major powers

The US and the UN • When the UN was created in 1945, there were a number of global powerhouses which exerted influence • Recently, the US has become the undisputed world superpower and so conflict between the US and other UN member states has increased • The US has at times flexed its economic muscle by effectively refusing to pay its dues to the UN because the UN refused to agree with its wishes • The US currently owes millions of dollars to the UN

• The USA’s continued prominence within the UN has been called into question in Ambassadorship Nomination recent months. Video • President Trump has stated that he does not agree with many of the UN’s decisions and has also struggled in recent months to replace the outgoing Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley. • His choice for UN Ambassador to the UN has garnered criticism – Heather Nauert is a former Fox News correspondent with little international political experience. • Trump has also come under fire from the UN for his open attacks on the media. • Remember: Part of the UN’s role is to oversee rights across the world.

The UN Security Council • This is a group of 15 countries, 5 permanent and 10 non -permanent • The primary role is to maintain global peace and security • Generally the Security Council will try to resolve conflicts peacefully but it may also impose sanctions or use force • Permanent members – China, France, Russia, the UK and the USA • Members of the Council vote to decide on potential action • The permanent members each have the power to veto proposed UN action http: //www. un. org/depts/dhl/r esguide/scact_veto_en. shtml veto list

Security Council Veto? • The United States used the veto on 79 occasions between 1946 and 2016 and since 1972, it has used its veto power more than any other permanent member • Supporters of the veto power regard it as a promoter of international stability, a check against military interventions, and a critical safeguard against U. S. domination. • A key example of the USA’s agenda being denied occurred when both China and Russia vetoed any action being taken against the Assad regime in Syria in 2015. In this case, the USA’s influence was LIMITED.

The Security Council and the USA • The USA has also come under fire for deliberately ignoring other members of the Security Council to pursue it’s own international agenda. • A key example of this is the case of the US led Iraq War of 2003 -2013. • The UN Security Council, and other UN bodies, advised against any form of conflict in Iraq but the USA utilised it’s veto power on the Security Council and its weight or power to move ahead with the conflict. • The USA’s international reputation suffered greatly because of this, particularly with several European allies such as Germany and France.

The United Nations (UN) (…and its specialised agencies) • The USA is also involved with UN Specialised Agencies, including: • The World Health Organisation (WHO), The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), UNICEF and UNESCO

US and WHO react to Ebola • A key example of the USA’s international influence can be seen in it’s participation and leadership of responses to humanitarian crisis through the UN. • The USA was swift to act when the WHO declared the 2013 West African Ebola outbreak an international health emergency and sent doctors, scientists, military support and equipment to countries such as Liberia to ensure the safety of public health on a world wide scale. Ebola will be stopped - US reaction

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) • Formed in 1949, NATO is a security alliance of 28 countries from North America and Europe. • NATO's aim is to safeguard the freedom and security of its members by political and military means. • It creates a situation whereby the security of North America and Europe are linked. • NATO is essentially the most formidable military force in history as it includes powerful countries such as the USA and the UK which have strong armed forces and nuclear weapons.

• NATO has intervened in numerous global conflicts since the 1990 s, including the conflicts in Bosnia (1992 -2004), Serbia and Kosovo (1999) and Afghanistan (2001 -present). • It has been criticised by some who see it as being too powerful and dominated by the USA • Inside NATO's Libya airstrikes

The Group of 8 (G 8)/The Group of 7 (G 7) • The G 8 was a group of eight of the most powerful countries in the world. In 2014, the G 8 summit was suspended as a result of the Crimean Crisis and Russia has since been excluded from the G 8 • The remaining 7 countries, the G 7, met in Brussels in June 2014. • Its aim is to try to tackle global problems by discussing big issues and planning what action to take. • The leaders of the countries meet every year in a different member country (called a G 7 summit). • Made up of leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA (previously Russia)/ • The leaders of these countries take it in turns to be president of the G 7, with the leader of the host country acting as the president that year. • In 2013 David Cameron was president of the G 8 and the G 8 summit was held in Northern Ireland. • The next G 7 summit will take place in France in August 2019.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank • The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were both created in 1944. • They are organisations which are connected to the UN • The goal of these organisations is to encourage economic cooperation and development that would lead to a more stable and prosperous global economy. • Essentially these organisations exist to ease the financial burdens of their members and to tackle poverty and create economic stability • The US is an influential member of both organisations and the HQs of both are in Washington, D. C.

Membership of International Organisations • Analysis – The fact that the US is an influential member of the UN, NATO, the G 7 and other international organisations underlines its global influence. NATO is the most influential military alliance in the world and is dominated by the USA. Although in theory the US could be limited by other countries within the UN, the fact that it is able to veto actions also shows its power. Furthermore, when the UN rules against the US (as it did in relation to the Iraq War) the US has enough power and influence to ignore its wishes. In a military sense, the US acts with impunity. In addition, the headquarters of the UN and IMF are in the US.

Membership of International Organisations • Analysis – However, it could be argued that if the US continues to ignore the UN and other organisations in pursuit of its own agenda then its influence may in the future may deteriorate and it may become more embroiled in conflict. In addition, it is not the only permanent member of the UN Security Council. Other members such as the UK and Russia can also exert huge influence internationally through the UN.