United Nations: Powerbroker or Toothless Tiger?
             The United Nations has given us the appearance that they are an integral part of the system of international relations; all they do is provide a central link in the chain of international organizations that are tackling global problems today. Furthermore, the United Nations does not play any other key role in tackling many essential problems that occur in the world. The United Nations has no real influence in the world; this is a result of their lack of structure in the Security Council and their poor reactions to events, such as Kosovo and Iraq. These events have given the United Nations the image as a toothless tiger; however, peacekeeping practices held tightly by the United Nations does give the tiger a bit of a bite in the global fight for peace. The United Nations does not have clout in the world, but in certain situations the UN has proven itself as real powerbroker in today's world.
             With the recent situation that is occurring in Iraq all eyes have been placed on the United Nations to see what steps they are going to take, if any, to stop the United States. The Iraq issue is shining a bright light onto the United Nations. It is highlighting a key issue for the world; does the United Nations have real any influence, is their presence beneficial to the world? The United Nations is caught between domestic oppositions to a war and increasing pressure from pro-war countries, mainly the United States. With other nations' opposition hardening, the White House left open the possibility that it would not seek a United Nations vote on its war-making resolution if the measure was clearly headed for defeat. (The Associated Press) By the United States overstepping the United Nations just as NATO had done in Kosovo it will ultimately show to the world the ineffectiveness of the Security Council. The decision made by the United Nations will help prove if they truly do wield powe...