Greenpeace

Everybody's talking about the United Nations, as happens every year around this time with the opening of the General Assembly session.  I actually have some sort of bizarre fascination with the UN system (it's one of the few fascinations those of us who major(ed) in international relations have).  Perhaps it's because my introduction to the high-octane and action-packed world of parliamentary procedure and negotiation was during high school Model UN conferences.  But, as I've grown older, had better excuses to explore NYC and Washington, and had my eyes opened wide to the realities of the global diplomacy system, I can't help but wonder what really is going on up there.

I don't understand how any body with the word "security" in its name can have any sort of veto mechanism that stems from who was on the winning side of a war that ended more than fifty years ago.  There.  I said it.

I don't know why it's considered controversial to move the UN headquarters to the Global South.

The preamble of the UN lays it out.  It says that they're DETERMINED "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war."  Looks like we need a little less determination and a little more saving.

I don't think there are better fora to have these debates, and it's certainly not completely broken, but it never ceases to amaze me how every year we hear how controversial these UN meetings can be.  (Last year was my personal favorite.)  For another point of view, check out this article on the U.S./Iran debate.  Best quote from President Jacques Chirac: "We do not aim to call regimes into question."  The sweet, sweet smell of freedom fries.  Vive la différènce! 

"We do not aim to call regimes into question."