The United Nations

GPSV 341

Research Paper #1

Write a 5 to 7 page research paper on one of the following topics. You should have a reference page that is not included in the 5-7 page limit. You must use no less than 5 resources. Wikipedia will not be considered a source. Both in-text and post-text citations are required. They should be noted in Chicago Style or APA style guidelines. Please note the question you are answering. The paper is due on November 4 at 7pm.

1. In 2005, UN Secretary -General Kofi Annan released a report that criticized how the United Nations General Assembly operates. He claimed that the Assembly discusses too many topics without focusing on an agenda reflective of substantive issues. His comments were ignored and by 2014, the General Assembly listed 170 topics that they discussed in their meetings. Why do you think that national representatives in the General Assembly aren’t using their role within the United Nations to accomplish more by narrowing their focus? What do you think causes the UN General Assembly to diffuse its attention and reduce its effectiveness?

2. There is conflict between the ideas of the United Nations and its capacity to thwart corruption. The United Nations initiated an oil-for-food program in Iraq. In 1996, proceeds from the sale of Iraqi oil were supposed to be used to purchase food and other necessities for the Iraqi people who were challenged by international sanctions imposed against Iraq. Saddam Hussein, the leader of Iraq, was able to gain $1 billion from this program through kickbacks. Why is the United Nations ineffective at preventing corruption? How are UN programs used to increase opportunities for corruption? Explain what happened in Iraq and cite at least one other example of how UN programs stimulate corruption.

3 UN peacekeeping missions in Angola, Liberia, El Salvador and Haiti are often touted as success stories. Yet, these nations hardly live in peaceful prosperity today. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) started in 2004 and ended in 2017. More than 2,300 UN peacekeepers were in Haiti to facilitate the establishment of security and law through strengthening the Haitian National Police. What happened through the UN peacekeeping position? What is the status of law and safety in Haiti today? Why is Haiti touted as a UN success story?