The inability of the United Nations to intervene effectively in Syria has once again raised the question whether the Security Council can ever fulfill its mandate. Major changes are probably necessary in the structure of the Council, not surprisingly since it was created in 1945 when the world was a vastly different place. Here is an interesting analysis of the possibilities for change.
The Palestinian Authority has indicated that it is willing to accept “non-member state” status in the United Nations. It had earlier tried to obtain member status, but that effort died because of the threat of a US veto. Non-member status is a step up from the PA’s current observer status and requires only a majority vote within the General Assembly, side-stepping the veto threat in the Security Council. The US and Israel will fight this move, but I suspect that the PA has the votes.
There are reports that Spain will ask the EU to bail out its banking system. This step is unprecedented and contrary to eurozone rules. The reports are that the request will be made on Saturday and we’ll see how Germany responds. There has been a softening of the German position in recent weeks, but bailing out the banking system in a member state opens up a real can of worms as far as sovereignty is concerned. We live in interesting times.
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