New York City, New York —(Map)
Political leaders from around the globe are meeting at the United Nations in New York this week during the 80th meeting of the UN’s General Assembly. But threats of growing wars are making the UN’s job of keeping the peace extremely difficult.
The United Nations
The UN was created in 1945 after the end of World War II. The countries creating the UN hoped it would help the world avoid future wars. The UN has several important goals: to help keep the peace, to protect human rights, to bring help to people who need it, to help countries develop, to protect the environment, and to make sure international laws are followed.
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(Source: Ricardo Stuckert/Lula Oficial [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Nearly every country in the world is now a member of the UN. When countries have problems or disagreements, the UN is one of the first places those concerns are heard. For example, as worries over the climate crisis grew, the UN got countries to agree to tackle the problem.
But the UN can only take actions that its member nations agree on. And member nations often disagree – especially powerful members like China, Russia, and the US.
Under President Donald Trump, the US has greatly cut back its support of the UN. In a bitter speech to the UN yesterday, Mr. Trump questioned several UN efforts, including fighting the climate crisis, which he called a “con” [trick or rip-off]. At one point, Mr. Trump asked, “What is the purpose of the United Nations?”
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Under President Donald Trump, the US has greatly cut back its support of the UN. In a bitter speech to the UN yesterday (above), Mr. Trump questioned several UN efforts, including fighting the climate crisis. At one point, Mr. Trump asked, “What is the purpose of the United Nations?”
In spite of the differences between countries, the UN continues to work to find solutions to difficult problems. Two of the biggest challenges facing this year’s meeting are the war in Gaza and Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Israel’s War in Gaza
The situation in Gaza remains extremely dangerous. Over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s continuing fight against Hamas. Huge numbers of Palestinians are facing famine. Israel recently launched an attack on Gaza City, one of the few places in Gaza that hasn’t yet been destroyed.
UN experts say Israel’s actions in Palestine meet the definition of genocide. Israel strongly denies this.
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The situation in Gaza remains extremely dangerous. Over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed. Huge numbers of Palestinians are facing famine. Israel recently launched an attack on Gaza City, one of the few places in Gaza that hasn’t been destroyed. Above, Palestinians leaving Gaza City on September 23.
Israel’s actions in Gaza have led a growing number of countries, including Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, to recognize Palestine as a country. Treating Israel and Palestine as separate countries is often called a “two-state solution”. Currently, 157 of the UN’s 193 member countries recognize Palestine.
But Palestine is unlikely to become a country any time soon. Israel controls both the West Bank and Gaza, where most Palestinians live. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that there will not be a Palestinian State. He says recognizing Palestine is like rewarding Hamas for its brutal 2023 attack on Israel.
Russia’s War on Ukraine
Russia’s war on Ukraine, which began in February, 2022, continues. Tens of thousands of people have died, and the war shows no sign of slowing down.
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Russia’s war on Ukraine, which began in February, 2022, continues. Tens of thousands of people have died, and the war shows no sign of slowing down. Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have actually increased. Above, an apartment building in Kyiv burns after a Russian drone strike on September 7.
Mr. Trump’s recent efforts to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to join peace talks failed. Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have actually increased. And Mr. Putin now seems to be trying to test the limits of NATO. Under NATO, the US, Canada, and many European nations agree to defend each other.
Recently, Russian drones have flown over the NATO countries of Poland and Romania. Russian fighter jets also flew over Estonia, and a Russian spy plane entered NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea. NATO has warned Russia that it will defend its airspace.
There is concern that Russia-Ukraine war could grow into a larger war.
Did You Know…?
In addition to these and other conflicts, the UN this week will also tackle several other important issues including health and the climate crisis.
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