Folly, Farce and Futility Along the East River: The UN in Action

The General Debate of the United Nations (UN) has begun in its headquarters along New York's East River. Representatives of its 193 member nations have flocked to the Big Apple for their annual shindig; fifteen minutes of fame, parties, shopping sprees (sales tax free, of course) and hobnobbing with various celebrities for photo ops. And of course, Manhattan's world class traffic jams will set new records for inconveniencing New Yorkers. It should also be noted that representaives of 119 non-member states, organizations and entities have received standing invitations to participate as observers. The critical question to ask is whether this general debate is of any value?

Among the leaders who have taken the rostrum of the General Assembly are Donald Trump (USA),

Andy Burnham (UK), Emmanuel Macron (France), Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel), Masoud Pezeshkian (Iran) and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukraine). They all stated well known positions and little new was heard. What was normal for the United Nations was the abnormal behavior of walkouts of delegations from various countries who, in this era of globalism, made it crystal clear that they had no interest in hearing from nations with whom they may disagree to a greater or lesser extent . During the time of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and their satellite states, the Communist bloc succeeded in obstructing any useful activity of the UN by use of the USSR's permanent status and veto power in the so called Security Council, with additional support from their subservient satellites who masqueraded as independent nations. Additionally a large number of nominally independent states who received aid from the USSR voted with the Communist bloc. WIth the downfall of the USSR and the overthrow of the Communist dictatorships of eastern Europe, it appeared that there was some hope for the morally bankrupt UN. But it was not to be. UN obstruction found a new patron in the Organization of the Islamic Conference, now renamed the Organization of Islamc Cooperation (OIC). The OIC with 57 members, 49 of whom have Muslim majorities, vote as a bloc on most issues and now is the principal obstacle to anything postitve occurring in the East River world debating center. What a waste of time! What a shame that the UN, once led by statesman as Dag Hammarskjold and Kofi Annan has sunk to this level of ignominy. When Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the General Debate last year, at least half of the membership walked out-yet the world looks to the UN to bring peace and security to the world community. What a farce! The world raves how the conquest of territory by force is unacceptable. Someone needs to notify the UN that Russia, the USSR's successor seized Crimea from Ukraine by force in 2014, and began a full scale war with that country in 2022. Not a word as women, children and the elderly are targeted by Russian drones made in Iran and North Korean soldiers fight for the Russian aggressor. Not a word about the decades long occupation of northern Cyprus by the Turkish army.Russia, allied with Communist China (PRC), both permanent members of the UN Security Council use their veto powers and with OIC support with whom they reciprocate to keep the pot boiling as they oppose the United States and other democracies. The UN has truly become major obstacle to peace in the world.

On August 10, 1962, Herbert Hoover at the dedication of his presidential library in West Branch Iowa made the following remarks: "Leaders of mankind have for centuries sought some form of organization which would assure lasting peace. The last of many efforts is the United Nations. The time has come in our national life when we must make a new appraisal of this organization. But first, let me say that I have, in all my official life believed in a world organization for peace. I supported the League of Nations when it was unpopular. I went down to defeat when, as President, I urged the Senate to join the World Court. I urged the ratification of the United Nations Charter by the Senate. But I stated at that time, the American people should be under no illusions that the Charter assures lasting peace. But now we must realize that the United Nations has failed to give us even a remote hope of lasting peace. Instead, it adds to the dangers of wars which now surround us.

The time is here when, if the free nations are to survive, they must have a new and stronger world-wide organization. For purposes of this discussion I may call it the “Council of Free Nations.” It should include only those who are willing to stand up and fight for their freedom."

One of the subsidiary organizations of the UN, the Human Rights Council, consists of 47 elected members. Elections will be held shortly to elect new members. Current beacons and exemplars of human rights who are currently members include Angola, Burundi, Egypt, PRC, Iraq, Pakistan, Viet Nam and last but not least, Cuba. What a gang to stand up for human rights. Humanity really has a serious problem to worry about.

It's time to recognize that the UN is not the hope of mankind. It is a nightnarish outpost in Manhattan that causes instability that leads to war-the very opposite for what it was created. It should go the way of its predecessor organization, the League of Nations which went into well deserved obscurity. President Hoover was right. A council of free nations is needed.

Garry S. Sklar

Las Vegas, NV

September 23, 2026