United Nations: Difference between revisions

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   |2023 May      = [[Switzerland]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 May      = [[Switzerland]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 June    = [[United Arab Emirates]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 June    = [[United Arab Emirates]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 July    = [[United Kingdom]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 July    = United Kingdom ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 August  = [[United States]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 August  = [[United States]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 September= [[Albania]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 September= [[Albania]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 October  = [[Brazil]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 October  = [[Brazil]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 November = [[China]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 November = China ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 December = [[Ecuador]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2023 December = [[Ecuador]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2024 January  = [[France]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
   |2024 January  = [[France]] ({{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}})
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The UN was established after [[World War II]] with the [[Dumbarton Oaks Conference|aim of preventing future world wars]], and succeeded the [[League of Nations]], which was characterized as being ineffective.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 April 2021 |title='The League is Dead. Long Live the United Nations.' |url=https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/league-of-nations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224050205/https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/league-of-nations |archive-date=24 February 2022 |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=National WW2 Museum New Orleans}}</ref> On 25 April 1945, 50 nations assembled in San Francisco, California, for [[United Nations Conference on International Organization|a conference]] and initialised the drafting of the [[Charter of the United Nations|UN Charter]], which was adopted on 25 June 1945. The charter took effect on 24 October 1945, when the UN began operations. The UN's objectives, as outlined by its charter, include maintaining international peace and security, protecting [[human rights]], delivering [[humanitarian aid]], promoting [[sustainable development]], and upholding [[international law]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/en/sections/what-we-do/index.html |title=What We Do |website=United Nations |language=en |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122092127/http://www.un.org/en/sections/what-we-do/index.html |archive-date=22 November 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> At its founding, the UN had 51 [[Member states of the United Nations|member states]]; {{As of|lc=yes|2024}}, it has 193 [[sovereign states]], nearly all of the world's recognized sovereign states.<ref name="UN_SouthSudan_193rd_state" />
The UN was established after [[World War II]] with the [[Dumbarton Oaks Conference|aim of preventing future world wars]], and succeeded the [[League of Nations]], which was characterized as being ineffective.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 April 2021 |title='The League is Dead. Long Live the United Nations.' |url=https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/league-of-nations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224050205/https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/league-of-nations |archive-date=24 February 2022 |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=National WW2 Museum New Orleans}}</ref> On 25 April 1945, 50 nations assembled in San Francisco, California, for [[United Nations Conference on International Organization|a conference]] and initialised the drafting of the [[Charter of the United Nations|UN Charter]], which was adopted on 25 June 1945. The charter took effect on 24 October 1945, when the UN began operations. The UN's objectives, as outlined by its charter, include maintaining international peace and security, protecting [[human rights]], delivering [[humanitarian aid]], promoting [[sustainable development]], and upholding [[international law]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/en/sections/what-we-do/index.html |title=What We Do |website=United Nations |language=en |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122092127/http://www.un.org/en/sections/what-we-do/index.html |archive-date=22 November 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> At its founding, the UN had 51 [[Member states of the United Nations|member states]]; {{As of|lc=yes|2024}}, it has 193 [[sovereign states]], nearly all of the world's recognized sovereign states.<ref name="UN_SouthSudan_193rd_state" />


The UN's mission to preserve world peace was complicated in its initial decades due in part to [[Cold War]] tensions that existed between the [[United States]] and [[Soviet Union]] and their respective allies. Its mission has included the provision of primarily unarmed [[United Nations Military Observer|military observers]] and lightly armed troops charged with primarily monitoring, reporting and confidence-building roles.<ref name="our-history">{{cite web |url=https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/our-history |title=Our history |website=United Nations Peacekeeping |access-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122132154/https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/our-history |archive-date=22 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> UN membership grew significantly following the widespread [[decolonization]] in the 1960s. Since then, 80 former colonies have gained independence, including 11 [[trust territories]] that had been monitored by the [[United Nations Trusteeship Council|Trusteeship Council]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/decolonization/index.html |title=Decolonization |website=United Nations |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122132046/http://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/decolonization/index.html |archive-date=22 November 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> By the 1970s, the UN's budget for economic and social development programmes vastly exceeded its spending on [[peacekeeping]]. After the end of the Cold War in 1991, the UN shifted and expanded its field operations, undertaking a wide variety of complex tasks.<ref name="our-history"/>
The UN's mission to preserve world peace was complicated in its initial decades due in part to [[Cold War]] tensions that existed between the [[United States]] and Soviet Union and their respective allies. Its mission has included the provision of primarily unarmed [[United Nations Military Observer|military observers]] and lightly armed troops charged with primarily monitoring, reporting and confidence-building roles.<ref name="our-history">{{cite web |url=https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/our-history |title=Our history |website=United Nations Peacekeeping |access-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122132154/https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/our-history |archive-date=22 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> UN membership grew significantly following the widespread [[decolonization]] in the 1960s. Since then, 80 former colonies have gained independence, including 11 [[trust territories]] that had been monitored by the [[United Nations Trusteeship Council|Trusteeship Council]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/decolonization/index.html |title=Decolonization |website=United Nations |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122132046/http://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/decolonization/index.html |archive-date=22 November 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> By the 1970s, the UN's budget for economic and social development programmes vastly exceeded its spending on [[peacekeeping]]. After the end of the Cold War in 1991, the UN shifted and expanded its field operations, undertaking a wide variety of complex tasks.<ref name="our-history"/>


The UN comprises six principal operational organizations: the [[United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly]], the [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]], the [[United Nations Economic and Social Council|Economic and Social Council]], the [[International Court of Justice]], the [[UN Secretariat]], and the [[United Nations Trusteeship Council|Trusteeship Council]], although the Trusteeship Council has been suspended since 1994. The [[UN System]] includes a multitude of [[specialized agencies]], funds, and programmes, including the [[World Bank Group]], the [[World Health Organization]], the [[World Food Programme]], [[UNESCO]], and [[UNICEF]]. Additionally, [[non-governmental organization]]s may be granted consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and other agencies.
The UN comprises six principal operational organizations: the [[United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly]], the [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]], the [[United Nations Economic and Social Council|Economic and Social Council]], the [[International Court of Justice]], the [[UN Secretariat]], and the [[United Nations Trusteeship Council|Trusteeship Council]], although the Trusteeship Council has been suspended since 1994. The [[UN System]] includes a multitude of [[specialized agencies]], funds, and programmes, including the [[World Bank Group]], the [[World Health Organization]], the [[World Food Programme]], [[UNESCO]], and [[UNICEF]]. Additionally, [[non-governmental organization]]s may be granted consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and other agencies.
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[[File:United Nations organization sketch by Franklin Roosevelt with the Four Policemen in 1943.jpg|thumb|1943 sketch by Franklin Roosevelt of the UN original three branches: The [[Four Policemen]], an executive branch, and an international assembly of forty UN member states]]
[[File:United Nations organization sketch by Franklin Roosevelt with the Four Policemen in 1943.jpg|thumb|1943 sketch by Franklin Roosevelt of the UN original three branches: The [[Four Policemen]], an executive branch, and an international assembly of forty UN member states]]


The first step towards the establishment of the United Nations was the Inter-Allied Conference in London that led to the [[Declaration of St James's Palace]] on 12 June 1941.<ref>{{Cite book|last=United Nations|first=Dept of Public Information|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=98U8YSrp1YUC&q=%22The+first+of+the+specific+steps+that+led+to+the+establishment+of+the+United+Nations+was+the+Inter-Allied+Declaration%22%22 |title=Everyone's United Nations|date=1986|publisher=UN|isbn=978-92-1-100273-7|page=5|language=en|access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165825/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=98U8YSrp1YUC&dq=The+first+step+towards+the+formation+of+the+UN+was+the+Declaration+of+St+James%27s+12+June+1941&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%22The+first+of+the+specific+steps+that+led+to+the+establishment+of+the+United+Nations+was+the+Inter-Allied+Declaration%22%22|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Tandon|first1=Mahesh Prasad|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P5g6AQAAIAAJ&q=%22The+following+may+be+summed+up+as+the+steps+that+led+to+the+formation+of+the+United+Nations.+(1)+London+Declaration%22|title=Public International Law|last2=Tandon|first2=Rajesh|date=1989|publisher=Allahabad Law Agency|page=421|language=en |access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165837/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=P5g6AQAAIAAJ&dq=The+first+step+towards+the+formation+of+the+UN+was+the+Declaration+of+St+James%27s+12+June+1941&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%22The+following+may+be+summed+up+as+the+steps+that+led+to+the+formation+of+the+United+Nations.+%281%29+London+Declaration%22|url-status=live}}</ref> By August 1941, American President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin Roosevelt]] and British Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] had drafted the [[Atlantic Charter]]; which defined goals for the post-war world. At the subsequent meeting of the Inter-Allied Council in London on 24 September 1941, the eight [[List of governments in exile during World War II|governments in exile of countries under Axis occupation]], together with the [[Soviet Union]] and representatives of the [[Free French Forces]], unanimously adopted adherence to the common principles of policy set forth by Britain and the United States.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lauren|first=Paul Gordon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=efV5wvpUjDgC&pg=PA140|title=The Evolution of International Human Rights: Visions Seen|year=2011|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn=978-0-8122-2138-1|pages=140–141|language=en|access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=15 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215201515/https://books.google.com/books?id=efV5wvpUjDgC&pg=PA140|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=24 September 1941|title=Inter-Allied Council Statement on the Principles of the Atlantic Charter|url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/wwii/interall.asp|access-date=14 August 2013|work=The Avalon Project|publisher=Lillian Goldman Law Library|archive-date=3 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803012648/http://avalon.law.yale.edu/wwii/interall.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>
The first step towards the establishment of the United Nations was the Inter-Allied Conference in London that led to the [[Declaration of St James's Palace]] on 12 June 1941.<ref>{{Cite book|last=United Nations|first=Dept of Public Information|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=98U8YSrp1YUC&q=%22The+first+of+the+specific+steps+that+led+to+the+establishment+of+the+United+Nations+was+the+Inter-Allied+Declaration%22%22 |title=Everyone's United Nations|date=1986|publisher=UN|isbn=978-92-1-100273-7|page=5|language=en|access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165825/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=98U8YSrp1YUC&dq=The+first+step+towards+the+formation+of+the+UN+was+the+Declaration+of+St+James%27s+12+June+1941&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%22The+first+of+the+specific+steps+that+led+to+the+establishment+of+the+United+Nations+was+the+Inter-Allied+Declaration%22%22|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Tandon|first1=Mahesh Prasad|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P5g6AQAAIAAJ&q=%22The+following+may+be+summed+up+as+the+steps+that+led+to+the+formation+of+the+United+Nations.+(1)+London+Declaration%22|title=Public International Law|last2=Tandon|first2=Rajesh|date=1989|publisher=Allahabad Law Agency|page=421|language=en |access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165837/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=P5g6AQAAIAAJ&dq=The+first+step+towards+the+formation+of+the+UN+was+the+Declaration+of+St+James%27s+12+June+1941&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%22The+following+may+be+summed+up+as+the+steps+that+led+to+the+formation+of+the+United+Nations.+%281%29+London+Declaration%22|url-status=live}}</ref> By August 1941, American President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin Roosevelt]] and British Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] had drafted the [[Atlantic Charter]]; which defined goals for the post-war world. At the subsequent meeting of the Inter-Allied Council in London on 24 September 1941, the eight [[List of governments in exile during World War II|governments in exile of countries under Axis occupation]], together with the Soviet Union and representatives of the [[Free French Forces]], unanimously adopted adherence to the common principles of policy set forth by Britain and the United States.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lauren|first=Paul Gordon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=efV5wvpUjDgC&pg=PA140|title=The Evolution of International Human Rights: Visions Seen|year=2011|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn=978-0-8122-2138-1|pages=140–141|language=en|access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=15 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215201515/https://books.google.com/books?id=efV5wvpUjDgC&pg=PA140|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=24 September 1941|title=Inter-Allied Council Statement on the Principles of the Atlantic Charter|url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/wwii/interall.asp|access-date=14 August 2013|work=The Avalon Project|publisher=Lillian Goldman Law Library|archive-date=3 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803012648/http://avalon.law.yale.edu/wwii/interall.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>


Roosevelt and Churchill met at the [[White House]] in December 1941 for the [[Arcadia Conference]]. Roosevelt is considered a founder of the UN,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://press.un.org/en/1999/19990504.award.brf.html |title=Press Conference On Franklin Delano Roosevelt Disability Award |publisher=UN Press |date= |accessdate=2022-07-17 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170557/https://press.un.org/en/1999/19990504.award.brf.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://press.un.org/en/1998/19981117.sgsm6799.html |title=Without Global Cooperation Between Great And Small Alike, No Progress And No Peace Can Last Forever, Secretary-General States |publisher=UN Press |date= |access-date=17 July 2022 |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717024142/https://press.un.org/en/1998/19981117.sgsm6799.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and coined the term ''United Nations'' to describe the [[Allies of World War II|Allied countries]]. <ref>{{cite book |last1=Ward |first1=Geoffrey C. |title=The Roosevelts: An Intimate History|last2=Burns|first2=Ken |date=2014 |publisher=[(Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group]] |isbn=978-0-385-35306-9 |page=397 |chapter=Nothing to Conceal |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V73CAwAAQBAJ&pg=SA6-PA60 |access-date=5 December 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308161849/https://books.google.com/books?id=V73CAwAAQBAJ&pg=SA6-PA60 |url-status=live}}</ref> Churchill accepted it, noting its use by [[Lord Byron]].<ref>{{cite web |date=3 February 2007 |title=United Nations |url=http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/site/comments/united_nations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331193323/http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/site/comments/united_nations/ |archive-date=31 March 2016 |access-date=28 March 2016 |website=Wordorigins.org}}</ref> The text of the [[Declaration by United Nations]] was drafted on 29 December 1941, by Roosevelt, Churchill, and [[Harry Hopkins]]. It incorporated Soviet suggestions but included no role for France. One major change from the Atlantic Charter was the addition of a provision for [[religious freedom]], which Stalin approved after Roosevelt insisted.<ref>{{cite book |last=Roll |first=David |title=The Hopkins Touch: Harry Hopkins and the Forging of the Alliance to Defeat Hitler |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-19-989195-5 |pages=172–175 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] USA}}</ref>{{sfn|Sherwood|1948|pp=447–453}}
Roosevelt and Churchill met at the [[White House]] in December 1941 for the [[Arcadia Conference]]. Roosevelt is considered a founder of the UN,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://press.un.org/en/1999/19990504.award.brf.html |title=Press Conference On Franklin Delano Roosevelt Disability Award |publisher=UN Press |date= |accessdate=2022-07-17 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170557/https://press.un.org/en/1999/19990504.award.brf.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://press.un.org/en/1998/19981117.sgsm6799.html |title=Without Global Cooperation Between Great And Small Alike, No Progress And No Peace Can Last Forever, Secretary-General States |publisher=UN Press |date= |access-date=17 July 2022 |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717024142/https://press.un.org/en/1998/19981117.sgsm6799.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and coined the term ''United Nations'' to describe the [[Allies of World War II|Allied countries]]. <ref>{{cite book |last1=Ward |first1=Geoffrey C. |title=The Roosevelts: An Intimate History|last2=Burns|first2=Ken |date=2014 |publisher=[(Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group]] |isbn=978-0-385-35306-9 |page=397 |chapter=Nothing to Conceal |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V73CAwAAQBAJ&pg=SA6-PA60 |access-date=5 December 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308161849/https://books.google.com/books?id=V73CAwAAQBAJ&pg=SA6-PA60 |url-status=live}}</ref> Churchill accepted it, noting its use by [[Lord Byron]].<ref>{{cite web |date=3 February 2007 |title=United Nations |url=http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/site/comments/united_nations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331193323/http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/site/comments/united_nations/ |archive-date=31 March 2016 |access-date=28 March 2016 |website=Wordorigins.org}}</ref> The text of the [[Declaration by United Nations]] was drafted on 29 December 1941, by Roosevelt, Churchill, and [[Harry Hopkins]]. It incorporated Soviet suggestions but included no role for France. One major change from the Atlantic Charter was the addition of a provision for [[religious freedom]], which Stalin approved after Roosevelt insisted.<ref>{{cite book |last=Roll |first=David |title=The Hopkins Touch: Harry Hopkins and the Forging of the Alliance to Defeat Hitler |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-19-989195-5 |pages=172–175 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] USA}}</ref>{{sfn|Sherwood|1948|pp=447–453}}
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On 14 July 1960, the UN established the [[United Nations Operation in the Congo]] (or UNOC), the largest military force of its early decades, to bring order to [[State of Katanga|Katanga]], restoring it to the control of the [[Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)|Democratic Republic of the Congo]] by 11 May 1964.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=115–134}} While travelling to meet rebel leader [[Moise Tshombe]] during the conflict, [[Dag Hammarskjöld]], often named as one of the UN's most effective secretaries-general,{{sfn|Meisler|1995|p=76}}{{sfn|Kennedy|2007|p=60}}{{sfn|Fasulo|2004|pp=17, 20}} [[1961 Ndola United Nations DC-6 crash|died in a plane crash]]. Months later he was posthumously awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]].{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=127–128, 134}} In 1964, Hammarskjöld's successor, [[U Thant]], deployed the [[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus|UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus]], which would become one of the UN's longest-running peacekeeping missions.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=156–157}}
On 14 July 1960, the UN established the [[United Nations Operation in the Congo]] (or UNOC), the largest military force of its early decades, to bring order to [[State of Katanga|Katanga]], restoring it to the control of the [[Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)|Democratic Republic of the Congo]] by 11 May 1964.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=115–134}} While travelling to meet rebel leader [[Moise Tshombe]] during the conflict, [[Dag Hammarskjöld]], often named as one of the UN's most effective secretaries-general,{{sfn|Meisler|1995|p=76}}{{sfn|Kennedy|2007|p=60}}{{sfn|Fasulo|2004|pp=17, 20}} [[1961 Ndola United Nations DC-6 crash|died in a plane crash]]. Months later he was posthumously awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]].{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=127–128, 134}} In 1964, Hammarskjöld's successor, [[U Thant]], deployed the [[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus|UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus]], which would become one of the UN's longest-running peacekeeping missions.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=156–157}}


With the spread of [[decolonization]] in the 1960s, the UN's membership shot up due to an influx of newly independent nations. In 1960 alone, 17 new states joined the UN, 16 of them from Africa.<ref name=unmilestones1951to1960 /> On 25 October 1971, with opposition from the United States, but with the support of many [[Third World]] nations, the [[China|People's Republic of China]] was given the Chinese seat on the Security Council in place of the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] (also known as Taiwan). The vote was widely seen as a sign of waning American influence in the organization.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=195–197}} Third World nations organized themselves into the [[Group of 77]] under the leadership of Algeria, which briefly became a dominant power at the UN.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=208–210}} On 10 November 1975, a bloc comprising the Soviet Union and Third World nations passed [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379|a resolution]], over strenuous American and Israeli opposition, declaring [[Zionism]] to be a form of [[racism]]. The resolution was repealed on 16 December 1991, shortly after the end of the Cold War.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=204–226, 213, 220–221}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/761C1063530766A7052566A2005B74D1 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206052903/http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/761C1063530766A7052566A2005B74D1 | url-status=dead | archive-date=6 December 2012 | title=A/RES/3379 (XXX) of 10 November 1975}}</ref>
With the spread of [[decolonization]] in the 1960s, the UN's membership shot up due to an influx of newly independent nations. In 1960 alone, 17 new states joined the UN, 16 of them from Africa.<ref name=unmilestones1951to1960 /> On 25 October 1971, with opposition from the United States, but with the support of many [[Third World]] nations, the China was given the Chinese seat on the Security Council in place of the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] (also known as Taiwan). The vote was widely seen as a sign of waning American influence in the organization.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=195–197}} Third World nations organized themselves into the [[Group of 77]] under the leadership of Algeria, which briefly became a dominant power at the UN.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=208–210}} On 10 November 1975, a bloc comprising the Soviet Union and Third World nations passed [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379|a resolution]], over strenuous American and Israeli opposition, declaring [[Zionism]] to be a form of [[racism]]. The resolution was repealed on 16 December 1991, shortly after the end of the Cold War.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=204–226, 213, 220–221}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/761C1063530766A7052566A2005B74D1 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206052903/http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/761C1063530766A7052566A2005B74D1 | url-status=dead | archive-date=6 December 2012 | title=A/RES/3379 (XXX) of 10 November 1975}}</ref>


With an increasing Third World presence and the failure of UN mediation in conflicts in the [[Six-Day War|Middle East]], [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]], and [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Kashmir]], the UN increasingly shifted its attention to its secondary goals of economic development and cultural exchange.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=167–168, 224–225}} By the 1970s, the UN budget for social and economic development was far greater than its peacekeeping budget.
With an increasing Third World presence and the failure of UN mediation in conflicts in the [[Six-Day War|Middle East]], [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]], and [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Kashmir]], the UN increasingly shifted its attention to its secondary goals of economic development and cultural exchange.{{sfn|Meisler|1995|pp=167–168, 224–225}} By the 1970s, the UN budget for social and economic development was far greater than its peacekeeping budget.
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In 1948, the General Assembly adopted a [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]], drafted by a committee headed by American diplomat and activist [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], and including the French lawyer [[René Cassin]]. The document proclaims basic civil, political and economic rights common to all human beings, though its effectiveness towards achieving these ends has been disputed since its drafting.{{sfn|Kennedy|2007|pp=178–182}} The Declaration serves as a "common standard of achievement for all people and all nations" rather than a legally binding document, but it has become the basis of two binding treaties, the [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]] and the [[International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights]].{{sfn|Fomerand|2009|p=377}} In practice, the UN is unable to take significant action against human rights abuses without a Security Council resolution, though it does substantial work in investigating and reporting abuses.{{sfn|Kennedy|2007|pp=185, 188}}
In 1948, the General Assembly adopted a [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]], drafted by a committee headed by American diplomat and activist [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], and including the French lawyer [[René Cassin]]. The document proclaims basic civil, political and economic rights common to all human beings, though its effectiveness towards achieving these ends has been disputed since its drafting.{{sfn|Kennedy|2007|pp=178–182}} The Declaration serves as a "common standard of achievement for all people and all nations" rather than a legally binding document, but it has become the basis of two binding treaties, the [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]] and the [[International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights]].{{sfn|Fomerand|2009|p=377}} In practice, the UN is unable to take significant action against human rights abuses without a Security Council resolution, though it does substantial work in investigating and reporting abuses.{{sfn|Kennedy|2007|pp=185, 188}}


In 1979, the General Assembly adopted the [[Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women]]; followed by the [[Convention on the Rights of the Child]] in 1989.{{sfn|Fomerand|2009|pp=70, 73}} With the end of the Cold War, the push for human rights action took on new impetus.{{sfn|Kennedy|2007|p=192}} The [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]] was formed in 1993 to oversee human rights issues for the UN, following the recommendation of that year's [[World Conference on Human Rights]]. Jacques Fomerand, a scholar of the UN, describes the organization's mandate as "broad and vague", with only "meagre" resources to carry it out.{{sfn|Fomerand|2009|p=347}} In 2006, it was replaced by a [[United Nations Human Rights Council|Human Rights Council]] consisting of 47 nations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4810538.stm |title=UN creates new human rights body |date=15 March 2006 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226121934/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4810538.stm |archive-date=26 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2006, the General Assembly passed a [[Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples|Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/FAQsindigenousdeclaration.pdf |title=Frequently Asked Questions: Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples |publisher=United Nations |access-date=18 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413164920/http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/FAQsindigenousdeclaration.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2011 it passed its first resolution recognizing the rights of members of the [[LGBT|LGBTQ+]] community.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/17/un-gay-rights-protection-resolution-passes-_n_879032.html |date=17 June 2011 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |first=Frank |last=Jordans |title=U.N. Gay Rights Protection Resolution Passes, Hailed As 'Historic Moment' |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |access-date=18 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113131517/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/17/un-gay-rights-protection-resolution-passes-_n_879032.html |archive-date=13 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1979, the General Assembly adopted the [[Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women]]; followed by the [[Convention on the Rights of the Child]] in 1989.{{sfn|Fomerand|2009|pp=70, 73}} With the end of the Cold War, the push for human rights action took on new impetus.{{sfn|Kennedy|2007|p=192}} The [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]] was formed in 1993 to oversee human rights issues for the UN, following the recommendation of that year's [[World Conference on Human Rights]]. Jacques Fomerand, a scholar of the UN, describes the organization's mandate as "broad and vague", with only "meagre" resources to carry it out.{{sfn|Fomerand|2009|p=347}} In 2006, it was replaced by a [[United Nations Human Rights Council|Human Rights Council]] consisting of 47 nations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4810538.stm |title=UN creates new human rights body |date=15 March 2006 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226121934/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4810538.stm |archive-date=26 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2006, the General Assembly passed a [[Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples|Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/FAQsindigenousdeclaration.pdf |title=Frequently Asked Questions: Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples |publisher=United Nations |access-date=18 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413164920/http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/FAQsindigenousdeclaration.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2011 it passed its first resolution recognizing the rights of members of the [[LGBT|LGBTQ+]] community.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/17/un-gay-rights-protection-resolution-passes-_n_879032.html |date=17 June 2011 |agency=Associated Press |first=Frank |last=Jordans |title=U.N. Gay Rights Protection Resolution Passes, Hailed As 'Historic Moment' |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |access-date=18 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113131517/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/17/un-gay-rights-protection-resolution-passes-_n_879032.html |archive-date=13 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>


Other UN bodies responsible for [[women's rights]] issues include the [[United Nations Commission on the Status of Women]], the [[United Nations Development Fund for Women]] and the [[United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women]].{{sfn|Fomerand|2009|pp=57, 194, 341}} The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, one of three bodies with a mandate to oversee issues related to indigenous peoples, held its first session in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://undesadspd.org/IndigenousPeoples/AboutUsMembers.aspx |title=United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues |publisher=United Nations |access-date=18 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101010131/http://undesadspd.org/IndigenousPeoples/AboutUsMembers.aspx |archive-date=1 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Other UN bodies responsible for [[women's rights]] issues include the [[United Nations Commission on the Status of Women]], the [[United Nations Development Fund for Women]] and the [[United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women]].{{sfn|Fomerand|2009|pp=57, 194, 341}} The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, one of three bodies with a mandate to oversee issues related to indigenous peoples, held its first session in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://undesadspd.org/IndigenousPeoples/AboutUsMembers.aspx |title=United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues |publisher=United Nations |access-date=18 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101010131/http://undesadspd.org/IndigenousPeoples/AboutUsMembers.aspx |archive-date=1 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
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The Assembly has established the principle that the UN should not be unduly dependent on any one member to finance its operations. Thus, there is a "ceiling" rate, setting the maximum amount that any member can be assessed for the regular budget. In December 2000, the Assembly revised the scale of assessments in response to pressure from the United States. As part of that revision, the regular budget ceiling was reduced from 25% to 22%.{{sfn|Fasulo|2004|p=117}} For the [[Least developed country|least developed countries]] (or LDCs), a ceiling rate of 0.01% is applied.<ref name="fifth-2006"/> In addition to the ceiling rates, the minimum amount assessed to any member nation (or "floor" rate) is set at 0.001% of the UN budget ($31,000 for the two-year budget 2021–2022).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regular budget and working capital fund - Committee on Contributions - UN General Assembly |url=https://www.un.org/en/ga/contributions/budget.shtml |access-date=19 December 2022 |website=[[United Nations]] |language=en |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014093425/https://www.un.org/en/ga/contributions/budget.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Weiss|Daws|2009|p=682}}
The Assembly has established the principle that the UN should not be unduly dependent on any one member to finance its operations. Thus, there is a "ceiling" rate, setting the maximum amount that any member can be assessed for the regular budget. In December 2000, the Assembly revised the scale of assessments in response to pressure from the United States. As part of that revision, the regular budget ceiling was reduced from 25% to 22%.{{sfn|Fasulo|2004|p=117}} For the [[Least developed country|least developed countries]] (or LDCs), a ceiling rate of 0.01% is applied.<ref name="fifth-2006"/> In addition to the ceiling rates, the minimum amount assessed to any member nation (or "floor" rate) is set at 0.001% of the UN budget ($31,000 for the two-year budget 2021–2022).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regular budget and working capital fund - Committee on Contributions - UN General Assembly |url=https://www.un.org/en/ga/contributions/budget.shtml |access-date=19 December 2022 |website=[[United Nations]] |language=en |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014093425/https://www.un.org/en/ga/contributions/budget.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Weiss|Daws|2009|p=682}}


A large share of the UN's expenditure addresses its core mission of peace and security, and this budget is assessed separately from the main organizational budget.{{sfn|Fasulo|2004|p=115}} The peacekeeping budget for the 2021–2022 fiscal year is $6.38 billion, supporting 66,839 personnel deployed in 12 missions worldwide.<ref>[https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/01_contributions_to_un_peacekeeping_operations_by_country_and_post_68_november_2023_revision_1.pdf Contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations by Country and Post] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224180139/https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/01_contributions_to_un_peacekeeping_operations_by_country_and_post_68_november_2023_revision_1.pdf |date=24 February 2024 }} (as of 30/11/2023), ''[https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/troop-and-police-contributors United Nations Peacekeeping] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630060533/https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/troop-and-police-contributors |date=30 June 2019 }}''.</ref> UN peace operations are funded by assessments, using a formula derived from the regular funding scale that includes a weighted surcharge for the five permanent Security Council members, who must approve all peacekeeping operations. This surcharge serves to offset discounted peacekeeping assessment rates for less developed countries. The largest contributors to the [[Peacekeeping|UN peacekeeping]] budget for 2023–2024 are: the [[United States]] (26.94%), [[China]] (18.68%), [[Japan]] (8.03%), [[Germany]] (6.11%), the [[United Kingdom]] (5.35%), [[France]] (5.28%), [[Italy]] (3.18%), [[Canada]] (2.62%), [[South Korea]] (2.57%) and [[Russia]] (2.28%).<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://undocs.org/en/A/76/296/Rev.1/Add.1 |title=Implementation of General Assembly resolutions 55/235 and 55/236: Report of the Secretary-General |date=28 December 2021 |publisher=[[United Nations General Assembly]] |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>
A large share of the UN's expenditure addresses its core mission of peace and security, and this budget is assessed separately from the main organizational budget.{{sfn|Fasulo|2004|p=115}} The peacekeeping budget for the 2021–2022 fiscal year is $6.38 billion, supporting 66,839 personnel deployed in 12 missions worldwide.<ref>[https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/01_contributions_to_un_peacekeeping_operations_by_country_and_post_68_november_2023_revision_1.pdf Contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations by Country and Post] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224180139/https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/01_contributions_to_un_peacekeeping_operations_by_country_and_post_68_november_2023_revision_1.pdf |date=24 February 2024 }} (as of 30/11/2023), ''[https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/troop-and-police-contributors United Nations Peacekeeping] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630060533/https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/troop-and-police-contributors |date=30 June 2019 }}''.</ref> UN peace operations are funded by assessments, using a formula derived from the regular funding scale that includes a weighted surcharge for the five permanent Security Council members, who must approve all peacekeeping operations. This surcharge serves to offset discounted peacekeeping assessment rates for less developed countries. The largest contributors to the [[Peacekeeping|UN peacekeeping]] budget for 2023–2024 are: the [[United States]] (26.94%), China (18.68%), [[Japan]] (8.03%), [[Germany]] (6.11%), the United Kingdom (5.35%), [[France]] (5.28%), [[Italy]] (3.18%), [[Canada]] (2.62%), [[South Korea]] (2.57%) and [[Russia]] (2.28%).<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://undocs.org/en/A/76/296/Rev.1/Add.1 |title=Implementation of General Assembly resolutions 55/235 and 55/236: Report of the Secretary-General |date=28 December 2021 |publisher=[[United Nations General Assembly]] |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>


Special UN programmes not included in the regular budget, such as [[UNICEF]] and the World Food Programme, are financed by voluntary contributions from member governments, corporations, and private individuals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wfp.org/get-involved/donate/where-your-money-goes |title=Where Your Money Goes |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112074808/http://www.wfp.org/get-involved/donate/where-your-money-goes |archive-date=12 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unicef.org/appeals/funding_trends.html |title=Overall funding trends |date=21 January 2013 |publisher=[[UNICEF]]] |access-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109153842/http://www.unicef.org/appeals/funding_trends.html |archive-date=9 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Special UN programmes not included in the regular budget, such as [[UNICEF]] and the World Food Programme, are financed by voluntary contributions from member governments, corporations, and private individuals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wfp.org/get-involved/donate/where-your-money-goes |title=Where Your Money Goes |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112074808/http://www.wfp.org/get-involved/donate/where-your-money-goes |archive-date=12 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unicef.org/appeals/funding_trends.html |title=Overall funding trends |date=21 January 2013 |publisher=[[UNICEF]]] |access-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109153842/http://www.unicef.org/appeals/funding_trends.html |archive-date=9 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
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=== Role ===
=== Role ===
In a sometimes-misquoted statement, American President [[George W. Bush]] stated in February 2003—referring to UN uncertainty towards Iraqi provocations under the Saddam Hussein regime—that "free nations will not allow the UN to fade into history as an ineffective, irrelevant debating society."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2003/02/14/bush-implores-un-to-show-backbone/ |title=Bush implores U.N. to show 'backbone' |last=Greene |first=David L. |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=14 February 2003 |access-date=12 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112201147/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-02-14/news/0302140349_1_security-council-resolution-united-nations-weapons-inspectors |archive-date=12 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pm-9_uxFw5UC&q=Bush+UN+ineffective,+irrelevant+debating+society&pg=PA150 |title=Problem of Ethnicity: Role of United Nations in Kosovo Crisis |first1=Jasvir |last1=Singh |publisher=Unistar Books |year=2008 |access-date=12 January 2014 |page=150 |isbn=978-81-7142-701-7 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165827/https://books.google.com/books?id=pm-9_uxFw5UC&q=Bush+UN+ineffective%2C+irrelevant+debating+society&pg=PA150 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rqiHRA8RAMkC&q=Bush+UN+ineffective,+irrelevant+debating+society&pg=PT489 |title=Human Rights at the UN: The Political History of Universal Justice |first1=Roger |last1=Normand |first2=Sarah |last2=Zaidi |publisher=[[Indiana University Press]] |page=455 |year= 2003 |access-date=12 January 2014 |isbn=978-0-253-00011-8 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165838/https://books.google.com/books?id=rqiHRA8RAMkC&q=Bush+UN+ineffective%2C+irrelevant+debating+society&pg=PT489 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In a sometimes-misquoted statement, American President George W. Bush stated in February 2003—referring to UN uncertainty towards Iraqi provocations under the Saddam Hussein regime—that "free nations will not allow the UN to fade into history as an ineffective, irrelevant debating society."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2003/02/14/bush-implores-un-to-show-backbone/ |title=Bush implores U.N. to show 'backbone' |last=Greene |first=David L. |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=14 February 2003 |access-date=12 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112201147/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-02-14/news/0302140349_1_security-council-resolution-united-nations-weapons-inspectors |archive-date=12 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pm-9_uxFw5UC&q=Bush+UN+ineffective,+irrelevant+debating+society&pg=PA150 |title=Problem of Ethnicity: Role of United Nations in Kosovo Crisis |first1=Jasvir |last1=Singh |publisher=Unistar Books |year=2008 |access-date=12 January 2014 |page=150 |isbn=978-81-7142-701-7 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165827/https://books.google.com/books?id=pm-9_uxFw5UC&q=Bush+UN+ineffective%2C+irrelevant+debating+society&pg=PA150 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rqiHRA8RAMkC&q=Bush+UN+ineffective,+irrelevant+debating+society&pg=PT489 |title=Human Rights at the UN: The Political History of Universal Justice |first1=Roger |last1=Normand |first2=Sarah |last2=Zaidi |publisher=[[Indiana University Press]] |page=455 |year= 2003 |access-date=12 January 2014 |isbn=978-0-253-00011-8 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165838/https://books.google.com/books?id=rqiHRA8RAMkC&q=Bush+UN+ineffective%2C+irrelevant+debating+society&pg=PT489 |url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2020, former American President [[Barack Obama]], in his memoir ''[[A Promised Land]]'' noted, "In the middle of the [[Cold War]], the chances of reaching any consensus had been slim, which is why the UN had stood idle as [[Hungarian Revolution of 1956|Soviet tanks rolled into Hungary]] or [[Vietnam War|U.S. planes dropped napalm on the Vietnamese countryside]]. Even after the Cold War, divisions within the Security Council continued to hamstring the UN's ability to tackle problems. Its member states lacked either the means or the collective will to reconstruct failing states like Somalia, or prevent an ethnic slaughter in places like Sri Lanka."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/un-failed-prevent-ethnic-slaughter-sri-lanka-barack-obama |title=UN failed to prevent 'ethnic slaughter in Sri Lanka' – Barack Obama |newspaper=[[Tamil Guardian]] |date=22 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308191611/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/un-failed-prevent-ethnic-slaughter-sri-lanka-barack-obama |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/sunday-times-sri-lanka/20201129/281702617274536 |title=Obama's best seller refers to 'ethnic slaughter in SL' |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]] |date=29 November 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312014934/https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/sunday-times-sri-lanka/20201129/281702617274536 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2020, former American President [[Barack Obama]], in his memoir ''[[A Promised Land]]'' noted, "In the middle of the [[Cold War]], the chances of reaching any consensus had been slim, which is why the UN had stood idle as [[Hungarian Revolution of 1956|Soviet tanks rolled into Hungary]] or [[Vietnam War|U.S. planes dropped napalm on the Vietnamese countryside]]. Even after the Cold War, divisions within the Security Council continued to hamstring the UN's ability to tackle problems. Its member states lacked either the means or the collective will to reconstruct failing states like Somalia, or prevent an ethnic slaughter in places like Sri Lanka."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/un-failed-prevent-ethnic-slaughter-sri-lanka-barack-obama |title=UN failed to prevent 'ethnic slaughter in Sri Lanka' – Barack Obama |newspaper=[[Tamil Guardian]] |date=22 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308191611/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/un-failed-prevent-ethnic-slaughter-sri-lanka-barack-obama |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/sunday-times-sri-lanka/20201129/281702617274536 |title=Obama's best seller refers to 'ethnic slaughter in SL' |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]] |date=29 November 2020 |access-date=29 November 2020 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312014934/https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/sunday-times-sri-lanka/20201129/281702617274536 |url-status=live}}</ref>
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* For Dershowitz, see [[Alan Dershowitz|Dershowitz, Alan]]. ''[[The Case for Peace]]: How the Arab-Israeli Conflict Can Be Resolved''. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005.
* For Dershowitz, see [[Alan Dershowitz|Dershowitz, Alan]]. ''[[The Case for Peace]]: How the Arab-Israeli Conflict Can Be Resolved''. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005.
* For Dreyfus, see [http://jta.org/news/article/2009/07/08/1006396/dont-be-lynch-mob-lawyers-urge-un#When:14:22:00Z "Don't be lynch mob, lawyers urge U.N.."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910130332/http://jta.org/news/article/2009/07/08/1006396/dont-be-lynch-mob-lawyers-urge-un#When:14:22:00Z|date=10 September 2012}} ''[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency|JTA]]''. 8 July 2009.
* For Dreyfus, see [http://jta.org/news/article/2009/07/08/1006396/dont-be-lynch-mob-lawyers-urge-un#When:14:22:00Z "Don't be lynch mob, lawyers urge U.N.."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910130332/http://jta.org/news/article/2009/07/08/1006396/dont-be-lynch-mob-lawyers-urge-un#When:14:22:00Z|date=10 September 2012}} ''[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency|JTA]]''. 8 July 2009.
* For Anti-Defamation League, see [http://www.adl.org/PresRele/UnitedNations_94/5443_94.htm "ADL: UN Human Rights Council Resolution Reveals 'Cancerous Bias' Against Israel."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102134316/http://www.adl.org/PresRele/UnitedNations_94/5443_94.htm|date=2 November 2012}} ADL. 7 July 2009.</ref> In September 2015, [[Saudi Arabia]]'s Faisal bin Hassan Trad was elected chair of an advisory committee in the [[United Nations Human Rights Council|UN Human Rights Council]],<ref>Osborne, Samuel (30 September 2015), [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/uk-and-saudi-arabia-made-secret-deal-to-exchange-votes-for-human-rights-council-seats-leaked-a6673491.html "UK helped Saudi Arabia get UN human rights role through 'secret deal' to exchange votes, leaked documents suggest"]. ''[[The Independent]]''. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903013447/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/uk-and-saudi-arabia-made-secret-deal-to-exchange-votes-for-human-rights-council-seats-leaked-a6673491.html |date=3 September 2017 }}.</ref> a move criticized by the [[UN Watch]].<ref>Moore, Jack (21 September 2915), [https://news.yahoo.com/u-n-watchdog-slams-scandalous-160650242.html "U.N. Watchdog Slams 'Scandalous' Choice of Saudi Arabia to Head Human Rights Panel"]. Yahoo News. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055130/http://news.yahoo.com/u-n-watchdog-slams-scandalous-160650242.html|date=4 March 2016}}.</ref> The UNHRC has likewise been accused of anti-Israel bias by Ex-President of the United States [[George W. Bush]], who complained that the Council focused too much attention on Israel and not enough on countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea and Iran.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/foreign_affairs/Human_Rights_Council_president_wants_reform.html?cid=6171460 "Human Rights Council president wants reform"], SwissInfo, 29 September 2007. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811002555/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/foreign_affairs/Human_Rights_Council_president_wants_reform.html?cid=6171460 |date=11 August 2011 }}.</ref>
* For Anti-Defamation League, see [http://www.adl.org/PresRele/UnitedNations_94/5443_94.htm "ADL: UN Human Rights Council Resolution Reveals 'Cancerous Bias' Against Israel."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102134316/http://www.adl.org/PresRele/UnitedNations_94/5443_94.htm|date=2 November 2012}} ADL. 7 July 2009.</ref> In September 2015, [[Saudi Arabia]]'s Faisal bin Hassan Trad was elected chair of an advisory committee in the [[United Nations Human Rights Council|UN Human Rights Council]],<ref>Osborne, Samuel (30 September 2015), [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/uk-and-saudi-arabia-made-secret-deal-to-exchange-votes-for-human-rights-council-seats-leaked-a6673491.html "UK helped Saudi Arabia get UN human rights role through 'secret deal' to exchange votes, leaked documents suggest"]. ''[[The Independent]]''. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903013447/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/uk-and-saudi-arabia-made-secret-deal-to-exchange-votes-for-human-rights-council-seats-leaked-a6673491.html |date=3 September 2017 }}.</ref> a move criticized by the [[UN Watch]].<ref>Moore, Jack (21 September 2915), [https://news.yahoo.com/u-n-watchdog-slams-scandalous-160650242.html "U.N. Watchdog Slams 'Scandalous' Choice of Saudi Arabia to Head Human Rights Panel"]. Yahoo News. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055130/http://news.yahoo.com/u-n-watchdog-slams-scandalous-160650242.html|date=4 March 2016}}.</ref> The UNHRC has likewise been accused of anti-Israel bias by Ex-President of the United States George W. Bush, who complained that the Council focused too much attention on Israel and not enough on countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea and Iran.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/foreign_affairs/Human_Rights_Council_president_wants_reform.html?cid=6171460 "Human Rights Council president wants reform"], SwissInfo, 29 September 2007. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811002555/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/foreign_affairs/Human_Rights_Council_president_wants_reform.html?cid=6171460 |date=11 August 2011 }}.</ref>
American [[State legislature (United States)|state lawmakers]] have proposed legislation to block various UN programs deemed to threaten U.S. sovereignty.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Satija |first1=Neena |last2=McCrimmon |first2=Ryan |title=Conservative Lawmakers Target United Nations |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=February 26, 2015 |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/26/conservative-lawmakers-continue-assault-un/ |access-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122224428/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/26/conservative-lawmakers-continue-assault-un/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, [[Tennessee]] enacted legislation to block the implementation of programs "originating in, or traceable to, the United Nations or a subsidiary entity of the United Nations," including [[Agenda 21]] and [[Sustainable Development Goals|the 2030 Agenda]].<ref>{{cite web |title=State of Tennessee Public Chapter No. 479 |url=https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0479.pdf |website=Tennessee Secretary of State |access-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-date=20 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120000913/https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0479.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Kevin |title=Inside the Tennessee legislature, where a GOP supermajority reigns |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=May 15, 2023 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/15/inside-tennessee-legislature-where-gop-supermajority-reigns/ |access-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529075221/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/15/inside-tennessee-legislature-where-gop-supermajority-reigns/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
American [[State legislature (United States)|state lawmakers]] have proposed legislation to block various UN programs deemed to threaten U.S. sovereignty.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Satija |first1=Neena |last2=McCrimmon |first2=Ryan |title=Conservative Lawmakers Target United Nations |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=February 26, 2015 |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/26/conservative-lawmakers-continue-assault-un/ |access-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122224428/https://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/26/conservative-lawmakers-continue-assault-un/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, [[Tennessee]] enacted legislation to block the implementation of programs "originating in, or traceable to, the United Nations or a subsidiary entity of the United Nations," including [[Agenda 21]] and [[Sustainable Development Goals|the 2030 Agenda]].<ref>{{cite web |title=State of Tennessee Public Chapter No. 479 |url=https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0479.pdf |website=Tennessee Secretary of State |access-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-date=20 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120000913/https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0479.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Kevin |title=Inside the Tennessee legislature, where a GOP supermajority reigns |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=May 15, 2023 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/15/inside-tennessee-legislature-where-gop-supermajority-reigns/ |access-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529075221/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/15/inside-tennessee-legislature-where-gop-supermajority-reigns/ |url-status=live}}</ref>