Furqan Ahmed 

Senior Research Associate, South Asia Research Institute for Minorities (SARIM). Secretary, Research Committee 26 RC26 – Human Rights, General Research Coordinator, International Association of Political Science Students, IAPSS

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9234-848X

Abstract:

As the United Nations marks its 79th anniversary, this commentary assesses whether the organization can still uphold neutrality and prevent conflict in an increasingly polarized international system. It first situates the UN’s legitimacy in the post–World War II legal and human-rights architecture, then balances that foundation against tangible accomplishments in humanitarian relief, global health, and decolonization. The paper argues that the UN’s most visible failures in contemporary crises reflect less a lack of normative ambition than structural and political constraints—especially Security Council paralysis, uneven member-state commitment, and perceptions of selective enforcement. Using recent conflicts such as Russia–Ukraine and Gaza as focal points, the analysis highlights how great-power rivalry and competing narratives limit preventive diplomacy and erode confidence in impartial mediation. A historical comparison with the League of Nations clarifies repeating institutional vulnerabilities: weak enforcement capacity, dependence on major powers, and delayed responses to aggression. The discussion then turns to peacekeeping and protection-of-civilians cases—Rwanda, Bosnia, Syria, Myanmar, and Yemen—to illustrate operational gaps, mandate limitations, and the tension between humanitarian action and accountability. The article concludes that restoring credibility requires reform-minded coalitions, earlier conflict prevention, and clearer standards for neutrality that can withstand geopolitical pressure.

Keywords: United Nations, neutrality, peacekeeping, Security Council

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Introduction:

October 24, 2024 marks the commemoration of the ‘United Nations Day’ and this blog is dedicated to celebrate the birth of United Nations with an aim as whistleblower, highlight the challenges the UN faces in effectively addressing global peace in a divided world. The emergence of the United Nations took place on October 24, 1945 as a result of one of the most horrific wars human beings have ever witnessed. The United Nations (UN) was established by its member states, which then created a new primary body of international law and human rights that is regulated by the International Bill of Human Rights, a set of five treaties that each state has ratified in compliance with its own domestic laws on foreign commitments. 

Before we begin our dissection on why the UN is failing in maintaining global peace, we will dive into some of its major achievements, which are tantamount to success rather than failure

Here are three pillars, which define the UN’s significance achievements:  

1. Fight against poverty, hunger, and health related initiatives: The United Nation provides food and financial assistance to over 80 million people, while, it provide aid to more than 69 million people who have fled their homeland due to persecution, conflict, or human rights violation. Along with that, the UN facilitates 45% of the world’s children with vaccines, saving as estimated 2 to 3 million lives.  
2. Efforts for upholding Human Rights through: 
3. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
4. International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
5. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
6. Decolonization: Before its inception in 1945, there was a massive network of Colonizers across the world, 750 million people lived under the colonial regime. The numbers have been trickled down to 2 million people today. 

Despite these monumental achievements, the UN is still under immense pressure, be it the financial crunch, post Covid-19 and the other bulging challenges regarding maintaining a massive influx of migrants caused by two of contemporary regional conflicts of Russo-Ukraine War and Middle-East crisis, and climate change. 

Critical Analysis: 

The outbreak of the Russo-Ukraine war on February 24, 2022, and the ongoing crisis in Gaza are stark reminders that contemporary conflicts are not isolated events but rather the culmination of decades of unresolved tensions. As war experts warn of the potential for these conflicts to escalate into a global confrontation, including the frightening prospect of World War III, it is crucial to examine the effectiveness of international organizations tasked with maintaining peace.

The purpose of the following commentary is to examine the causes, which is making the UN a ‘toothless tiger. At first place, why it [UN] failed to prevent these two recent wars, while on the second place, why this intergovernmental organization is failing to maintain neutrality in establishing global peace.

Numerous independent reports document gross human rights violations in conflict zones, where innocent civilians bear the brunt of war. The UN’s failure to act decisively in these situations raises critical questions about its effectiveness as a peacekeeping body. Why has the UN struggled to prevent recent wars, and what specific cases illustrate its compromised neutrality?

“The author also gave a reference to his interaction with Prof. Dr. Heinz-Dietrich Steinmeyer in a podcast that took place on October 10, 2024 titled “Social Security and Minority Rights: Lessons from Europe for South Asia”. In response to a question to Prof. Steinmeyer, that “do you really think that UN is failing to maintain neutrality and in establishing global peace”, the guest responded that, is the world ready to live a peaceful life, that is the reason UN is becoming extremely compulsive in maintaining neutrality, because you sometimes have to deal with the good-one and the bad ones”

Is the UN on the verge of become the League of Nations 2.0?  

The following proposition will explore the similarities in the failure of the League of Nations with its replacing counterpart, the United Nations, in maintaining global peace and why it is heading towards repeating the same mistakes, which caused the demise of the League of Nations and the outbreak of World War II. 

Historical Background: 

Historically, the League of Nations provides a compelling case study of the failures in global governance. Established after World War I to prevent future conflicts, the League ultimately faltered in the 1930s, unable to respond effectively to aggression from rising powers. This historical precedent raises important questions about the current role of the United Nations (UN) and its ability to learn from past mistakes. The main reason gave birth to the creation of an intergovernmental organization, known as the United Nations, was the miserable failure of the League, the first intergovernmental organization that was established after the World War I, which was built of the principles of maintaining international peace, achieving international cooperation, and being a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.  

Reasons behind the failures of League of Nations: 

The League of Nations was sandwiched between aggressor nations [Germany, Italy, and Japan] and the abysmal performance of its own members [Britain and France], failing to appease Hitler – actions that arguably led to the outbreak of World War II. The member states became hostile to each other as a result of the ‘World Economic Depression’ in the late 1930s. The overtaking of fascist dictatorships in Germany, Italy, and Japan, which were intended for empire-building, and these countries defied the League.

Can the UN adapt its strategies to overcome historical pitfalls and effectively maintain global peace in the face of contemporary challenges?

 “76 years and half a trillion dollars later, the international community is divided on the effectiveness of the United Nations. Overall, the UN has a positive international image but the partisan divide over supporting the UN has widened, particularly in the United States. The United States’ perception of the UN is important since the United States is the largest donor to the UN and accounts for roughly 20% of the UN’s collective budget”

Katelyn Balakir

The effectiveness of the United Nations remains a contentious issue, with a positive international image overshadowed by a widening partisan divide, particularly in the U.S., which contributes 20% of the UN’s budget. While the UN has achieved significant successes in humanitarian aid, human rights, and decolonization, it faces critical limitations, including enforcement challenges, Security Council inaction, and perceptions of Western dominance, all of which hinder its peacekeeping efforts and future operations amid financial constraints and fluctuating political support from member states.

Role in Peacekeeping Missions Globally: 

Rwanda Genocide (1994): The genocide of Rwanda in 1994, despite wary of impeding violence, the mandate holder, the United Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNIMAR), lacked resources and the UN’s reluctance to mediate vehemently exhibited genocide to escalate, which caused innocent civil casualties.  

Bosnia (1992-1995):  The UN even couldn’t even protect its safe zones for civilians in Srebrenica; the Bosnian Serb forces violated attacked Peacekeepers from Netherlands [Dutch]. As a result of the UN’s inactiveness, more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were massacred. 

Syria (2011 Present):  The ineffectiveness of mediating the current conflict in Syria presents a case study of human rights defenders. Additionally, the use of chemical weapons and the humanitarian crisis have further complicated the UN’s neutrality, as various member states have been accused of using the UN as a platform to advance their geopolitical interests, rather than genuinely seeking a resolution.

Myanmar (Rohingya Crisis):  Once again, the UN’s ineptness forming a robust political stance against the Myanmar Government raised disbelief about its commitment to fairness. That is why the Rohingya Crisis is still unsettled and the UN faces hostile response for being slow in response. Critics argue that the UN’s focus on humanitarian aid has overshadowed the need for accountability and justice. 

Yemen (2015-present): This crisis is regarded as perhaps world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The United Nations is under extreme pressure for failing to hold parties accountable for violations of International Laws, particularly the Saudi-led coalition’s actions. It is perceived that the UN holds soft corner or passive in resolving and addressing these issues. 

These conflicts and crises provided the intricacies and challenges the UN faces in sustaining impartiality whereas resolving complicated conflicts. They accentuate the need for reorganization and a preemptive approach to conflict resolution to rebuild trust in its capacity to mediate fairly and effectively.

In conclusion, as we navigate an increasingly volatile world, it is imperative to critically assess the role of the UN and other international organizations. By learning from the lessons of the past and addressing their shortcomings, we may foster a more effective approach to maintaining global peace and security.