The Post-Cold War World

This paper discusses and analyzes expectations and realities concerning the role of the United Nations and other international organizations in the post-cold war world. Since the late 1980s, the United Nations in particular has been thrust into new roles and responsibilities in the area of conflict management and other fields for which its current structures are not particularly well-suited. Nevertheless, the UN and other international organizations perform useful and in some cases critical functions in promoting international stability and development, including the protection of human rights. The UN must, however, gradually reform its structures and modus operandi if it is to succeed in meeting these new challenges.

Contrasting Cold War and Post-Cold War Conditions. It appeared for a brief period (1989-1991) that a new international order was emerging in which the United Nations would and could play a critical role with the cooperation of the great powers. A remarkable international consensus supported the efforts of the UN and the allied coalition vis-a-vis Saddam Hussein's Kuwaiti incursion. The UN played an important part in restoring peace, reconciling opposing factions and otherwise promoting democracy in Angola, Nambibia, Mozambique, Cambodia and Central America. However, the reality is that "in the post-Cold War era, the international system is beset by a bewildering multitude of pro

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re a craft industry ill-adapted to massive new demands" (1994, p. 440). He says that there is a need for a better system of information gathering, analysis and policy development, more contingency planning and preventative diplomacy in crisis areas and arrangements such as Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali proposed in 1993 for making available a standing emergency UN military force. The Bosnian operation revealed weaknesses in logistics, coordination, supply, control and decision-making. Financial Difficulties Ever since the Congo operations, the UN has suffered from financial difficulties resulting from the increased cost of peacekeeping and other operations and the unwillingness of some member states to meet their obligations to pay for mandatory and specially assessed contributions. The Soviets began paying their dues in the 1980s, but the United States among others is still in arrears. In 1992, the UN owed $800 million to troop-contributing countries. Composition of the Security Council. The Security Council functions fairly effectively despite the veto of the Permanent Five. Its composition reflects 1945 not 1996 realities. Demands for the inclusion of other permanent members such as Germany and Japan and other non-perman
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Approximate Word count = 1300
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)