Oblivion
But, if we pull out there's the possibility that others will rush to fill the power vacuum.. It could wind up as a large scale version of the ICC with a standing army, given time.
Feelings aside (as I hate the UN completely) Is it beneficial to pull out now, lose our veto on the Security Council and allow someone else (or possibly a group of "someone elses") to fill this power vacuum and further mold the UN to their liking?
What would the ramifications of such an act be 5 or 10 years from now? What will the others do in our absence?
Threat assessment anyone?
Let's just place a huge punch bowl filled with a Jim Jones concoction of Cool Aid at a UN Meeting, with a sign attached saying: "French Elixir of Life".
After all the beurocrats have imbibed, then the US and its allies can move on to bigger a better accomplishments in the real world.
Despite the anti-American rhetoric that has, and will continue to spew forth from the Arab press, and much of the liberal press in the U.S., the United States should not trust the U.N. with any important mission. The U.N. has demonstrated its anti-American bias, its inefficiency, indeed, its corruption in many areas, and its inability, or unwillingness, to enforce its own resolutions.
As for this one; all I can say is: Amen & Damn Straight!
The United Nations' vision of creating world peace through world law, judged by a world court, enforced by a world army has failed. It has failed because Americans are not willing to surrender their freedom and sovereignty to a world government.
Congress did not declare war under the constitution. It passed a resolution authorizing the president to carry out UN sanctions against Iraq spelled out in at least three UN documents, each one empowering any member state to carry out their provisions. One provision, if I remember correctly, is the use of military force against Iraq for refusal to comply.
We are presently on a UN mission, which is exactly what Congress authorized. I don't think Congress could have legitimately declared war on Iraq using Art 1 Sec 8 Cl 11 because the bitch was about Iraq violation of UN agreements (The conflict with Iraq being originally a UN project).
Yes, America says it has potential security problems with Iraq, itself and I agree, which why I support the war. Yes, The UN security council did refuse to pass that last resolution. But we have plenty of live resolutions, so we could go on the authority of the ones already passed.
So, being on a legitimate UN mission, authority given to the executive by Congress to prosecute the UN mission, the outcome of the UN mission can be reasonably claimed under UN jurisdiction. Whether I like it or not, the UN may justifiably be able to take over the post war administration.
If and when some delegation, probably French or German, brings all these points out in session, America is gaing to have a awful time coming up with plausible reasons to demurr. Either we will have to turn the tasks to the UN or we will have to formally declare our withdrawal.
If we don't, and categorically break our agreements as a member, I think this can be rightly be seen as a breach of international law governing these kind of agreements/treaties, and will just make us look like deadbeats.
Much fun will be had by all.