UN paralysis

As the world watches Gaza drown in blood and starvation, the United Nations, despite its tall claims and heavy mandates, has turned a blind eye and become a mere spectator to Israel’s unrelenting savagery. The editorial paints a damning picture of the UN Security Council’s inaction, particularly highlighting the complicity of major powers like the US in blocking any meaningful resolutions that might hold Israel accountable. Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad didn’t beat around the bush but he called out the Council for its spinelessness and how its failure to uphold its own decisions is chipping away at its credibility. With wars blazing in Ukraine, Palestine, Iran, and even Pakistan’s own backyard, the so-called post-WWII ‘rules-based order’ now lies in tatters. What was once imagined as a global moral compass now appears as a rusted relic hijacked by the might of the powerful.

The piece doesn’t just throw punches at the West; it asks tough, lingering questions. Why is Russian aggression in Ukraine painted as a threat to the free world, but Israel’s occupation of Palestine gets a free pass? This blatant double standard has become the Achilles’ heel of the global order. The article makes a clarion call for a new world order one rooted in fairness, accountability, and human dignity where no state gets to play god and no nation is left to bleed in silence. If this status quo continues, the UN might soon become nothing more than a talking shop, and the Global South will keep paying the price for a justice system built on hypocrisy. The immediate goal must be to put an end to the genocide in Gaza before the conscience of the world dies a quiet death.

Overview:

This editorial from Dawn sharply criticizes the UN Security Council’s failure to act against ongoing atrocities in Gaza. It underscores the hypocrisy of global powers, especially the United States, in selectively upholding international laws. With Pakistan assuming the presidency of the UNSC, the article urges urgent reforms to restore credibility, fairness, and accountability in the global system.

NOTES:

The editorial underscores the appalling failure of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, in addressing the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed or left to starve due to Israeli aggression. Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad sharply criticized the Council’s inaction, warning that its inability to implement its own resolutions erodes its authority and global trust. The article draws attention to the broader pattern of the UN’s paralysis in the face of major global conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, India’s attack on Pakistan, and Israel’s strike on Iran. It highlights how powerful countries, especially the United States and its European allies, have repeatedly blocked efforts to hold aggressors accountable, thereby rendering the international order dysfunctional. The editorial also criticizes the stark hypocrisy of treating Russia’s actions in Ukraine as a global threat while ignoring Israel’s occupation and brutality in Palestine. It suggests that the current rules-based order, forged after World War II, is practically dead and needs to be replaced with one grounded in justice, equality, and human dignity. Emphasizing the urgency of ending the Gaza crisis, the article calls for an international framework where no state is above the law and the Global South has equal representation in global decision-making processes.

Relevant CSS Syllabus Topics or Subjects:

• International Relations (Paper I & II)
  • This article aligns with themes like the role of international organizations (e.g., UN), the crisis of the global order, and major power politics. It also touches on the limitations of the United Nations and the influence of global hegemons like the US.
• Current Affairs
  • The editorial is directly relevant to contemporary international conflicts including Gaza, Ukraine, Indo-Pak tensions, and Israel-Iran hostilities. It highlights Pakistan’s diplomatic stance at the UN, which is key to understanding Pakistan’s foreign policy posture.
• Pakistan Affairs
  • The article supports analysis of Pakistan’s foreign policy, especially its role in the Muslim world and at multilateral forums like the UN. It also connects to Pakistan’s stance on the Palestinian issue.
• Governance and Public Policy
  • The failure of global governance institutions like the UN and the need for a new, justice-based international system relate to governance reform and international policy frameworks.
• Political Science
  • The editorial critiques the concept of a ‘rules-based international order’ and explores the power dynamics that challenge the effectiveness of global institutions, falling under theories of international politics and political realism.

Notes for Beginners:

This article explains how the United Nations, which was created to maintain peace and justice in the world is failing to do its job. Even though many people are dying in Gaza, the UN has not stopped the violence. Why? Because countries like the US protect their friends even when those friends do bad things. For example, the US blocks decisions that criticize Israel. This shows that rules are not applied equally. When Russia attacks Ukraine, everyone speaks out. But when Israel kills people in Gaza, many powerful countries stay quiet. The writer says we need a fair system where every country, big or small is treated the same. Otherwise, weaker countries like Palestine will continue to suffer.

Facts and Figures:

• Tens of thousands of people have died or starved in Gaza during the ongoing Israeli military operation.
• Pakistan currently holds the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council as of July 2025.
• The UN has failed to stop conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Iran, and during India’s recent attack on Pakistan.
• The United States has repeatedly vetoed resolutions that condemn Israel in the UN Security Council.

To sum up, This article is an attentive call for anyone who still believes that the global order is built on fairness. It not only exposes the double standards of the world’s most powerful nations but also warns that unless real reforms are made, the UN might lose all its moral weight. The silence on Gaza is not just a diplomatic failure it’s a stain on the conscience of humanity.

Difficult Words and Meaning:

• Bystander – A passive observer (Synonym: spectator, Antonym: participant)
• Undermines – Weakens or damages (Synonym: erodes, Antonym: strengthens)
• Egregious – Shockingly bad (Synonym: atrocious, Antonym: admirable)
• Credibility – Trustworthiness or believability (Synonym: reliability, Antonym: doubt)
• Hypocrisy – Pretending to hold moral standards one doesn’t uphold (Synonym: duplicity, Antonym: sincerity)