United States Foreign Policy and United Nations: The Case of the War in Iraq

Abstract

This paper deals with the unilateralism and inconsistencies in United States foreign policy and its impact on the functions and independence of United Nations. The overall background of the UN and its limitations from its inception are analyzed in relation to the US decisions to arbitrarily intervene or undermine its neutrality, which are exemplified most conspicuously by the war in Iraq. Criticism amounts as the US continues to bypass the mediatory multilateral functions of UN in a narrow pursuit of economic and political interest. It is also important to note how the lack of coherence in US foreign policy has adversely affected the operation of UN. Thus, this study examines the history of the US-UN relations, and how inconsistency in US foreign policies, from multilateral to unilateral and vice versa, has affected the UN as well as the global society. In addition, the war in Iraq and the chronological story of the battle between the US and the UN is analyzed as the up-most power struggle between the world's sole super power and the world governing body. Finally, this paper discusses the measures for enhancing the independence of the UN.