US Power Dynamics: UN Chief Blasts Washington for Ignoring International Law
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UN Secretary General António Guterres isn’t holding back as his term comes to an end. He told the BBC that the United States acts with impunity, often putting its own power above international rules.
Guterres is worried that Washington thinks global solutions don’t matter anymore. Instead, he sees a world where American influence takes the lead over teamwork.
The timing is critical because the UN is facing its biggest test in decades. With conflicts flaring up everywhere, the old rules are being pushed to the limit.
Guterres warned that the founding principles of the UN are under threat. He specifically pointed to the idea that all member states should be equal.
The tension isn’t just about talk; it’s about action. Donald Trump previously questioned the UN’s value, claiming he could end wars without any help from the organization.
Guterres points out that the UN Security Council is no longer a good fit for the modern world. It was built in 1945, and it shows.
Right now, three European countries hold permanent seats, which many see as outdated and unfair. This setup makes it hard to solve problems in 2026.
The power to veto is a major hurdle. Russia and the US have both used it to block help in Ukraine and Gaza, leaving the rest of the world frustrated.
The UN currently has 193 member states, but the power is concentrated in just a few hands. This imbalance is making it harder to enforce laws that keep people safe.
In places like Gaza, the impact is real and dangerous. Guterres says the UN has been blocked from sending aid because of local barriers.
There’s even a move toward using external contractors to handle humanitarian work. This shift away from the UN’s traditional role is a big warning sign for global stability.
For nations like Germany and the Netherlands, this breakdown is a huge concern. Both countries rely on stable international trade and legal frameworks to keep their economies growing.
If international law fails, smaller but wealthy nations lose the protection of the rules they’ve followed for years. This could lead to higher costs for global security and diplomacy.
However, some analysts argue the UN is simply too slow for today’s fast-moving world. They suggest that individual power is sometimes the only way to get things done quickly.
Critics say the UN’s lack of a real army or enforcement tool makes it a weak player. Without more leverage, the organization might stay sidelined in major fights.
Guterres himself admits the UN doesn’t have the financial or military weight of the big powers. This makes it hard to stand up to giants like the US or China.
Guterres is calling for a massive reform of the Security Council. He wants to limit veto powers to make the system feel fair again.
He warns that a world without rules will be unpredictable and unequal. We’re looking at a future where conflict could break out more easily if we don’t fix the system.
As he prepares to step down, he’s pushing world leaders to defend the law before it’s too late. The next leader will have a tough job fixing these deep cracks.
The world is waiting to see if the powerful nations will actually listen or if the UN will continue to fade. The outcome will change how we handle crises for the next fifty years.