logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2023
25m 39s

Will removing the veto power help the UN...

Al Jazeera
About this episode

The emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly is bringing Israeli massacres in Gaza into sharp global focus. After more than nine weeks of violence, the UN Security Council has been unable to agree on a ceasefire. Warning of the global threat posed by the conflict, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres invoked a rarely used article last week to urge the Security Council to act. Despite an overwhelming majority voting in favour of a ceasefire, the U.S. blocked it, using its veto power. Critics say the fact that five permanent members have the final say on a resolution renders the world body helpless - at a time when global conflicts demand timely solutions. So, is it time for the veto power to be removed? Will it help the UN become more effective?

 

Join Host Cyril Vanier

Guests:

Carne Ross - Founder, Independent Diplomat. 

Maleeha Lodhi - Former Pakistani ambassador to the United Nations. 

Vyacheslav Matuzov - Chairman, Russian Friendship Society with Arab Countries.

Up next
Dec 2023
Is the UN's resolution on Gaza 'meaningless'?
The UN Security Council passes a motion on the Gaza War - after two months of Israeli attacks that have killed twenty thousand Palestinians. The resolution - weakened by U.S. pressure - calls for more aid, but NOT for Israel to stop its bombardment. So will it have any impact? Jo ... Show More
23m 17s
Dec 2023
How is the US presidential election campaign shaping up?
Next year's U.S. presidential election is predicted to be a contest between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But not even that is certain in the most uncertain of election campaigns. So who else might be in the mix, and what are the important issues? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests ... Show More
23m 45s
Dec 2023
Could Israel's war on Gaza trigger a wider conflict?
20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israel, armed and backed by the US and European allies. There's more fighting nearby too: Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen are among the groups involved. So, could Israel's war on Gaza trigger a wider conflict? Join hos ... Show More
25m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2024
Why didn’t the U.S. block a Gaza ceasefire vote?
This week, for the first time since the start of the Gaza war, the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. It passed after the U.S. abstained from voting, rather than using their veto power — as they did three times before.  For many watching, ... Show More
21m 55s
Oct 2023
US votes against peace in Gaza, defying vast majority of planet at UN
The United States voted against a proposed humanitarian truce in Gaza, opposing the vast majority of the world in the United Nations General Assembly and protecting Israel as it kills thousands of Palestinian civilians. Journalist Ben Norton analyzes the geopolitical situation. V ... Show More
38m 39s
Aug 2022
Should UN peacekeepers remain in Africa?
Africa has had more UN peacekeeping missions than any other region in the world.Today more than fifty thousand troops are deployed with UN operations on the continent.Despite this, violence still continues in some of these areas and in some places, there is anger over the UN's co ... Show More
15m 47s
Oct 2023
UN meeting debates Gaza ceasefire
The fate of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza was raised at an emergency meeting of the United Nations General Assembly where Arab states have drafted a resolution calling for a ceasefire. We look at the role Qatar plays as a mediator in the conflict. Also in the programme: a ma ... Show More
48m 27s
Apr 2024
US vetoes resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a UN draft resolution that sought to grant Palestine full membership of the UN. Israeli and U.S. officials have confirmed that Israel has launched an attack on Iran. Lawyers have selected all 12 jurors who will decide whether former U.S. President Don ... Show More
15 m
Jan 2024
Will the ICJ verdict stop the war in Gaza?
In November 2023, South Africa approached the International Court of Justice, to consider whether Israel is committing acts of genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. It also called for an immediate ceasefire. And on Friday, the 26th of January, the UN’s top court made its int ... Show More
21m 8s
Nov 2018
The United Nations
Britain has been heavily criticised by the United Nations expert on extreme poverty and human rights, over what he describes as its “draconian” benefits sanctions. Philip Alston has taken a 12-day tour of some of the most deprived areas of the UK and he is not impressed with what ... Show More
42m 34s