From Gaza and Ukraine to Sudan, the United Nations has repeatedly faced criticism for failing to stop wars and protect civilians. But what if some of its most controversial failures are not flaws in the system, but consequences of how it was designed?
In 1945, the world’s most powerful countries struck a bargain: they would join a new international organisation, but retain the power to block major Security Council decisions.
More than 80 years later, that arrangement still shapes global diplomacy.
Al Jazeera explains how the UN veto works, why five countries hold extraordinary power over international peace and security, and why reforming the Security Council remains so difficult.
The question isn’t simply why the UN fails to act. It’s whether the world can change a system built to accommodate its most powerful countries.
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