|
|
 |
|
28.2%ANMag Issue 21 Public Surveillance
The United Nations and its Effects on Stability in the Middle East
By Vanessa Zuabi, Staff Writer
Paris, France − Since its creation in 1945, the United Nations has played a consistent role in mediating crisis in the Middle East; whether through human rights programs, emergency relief, or economic and political development policy. No doubt, their presence has allowed for fact-based knowledge and analysis on regional conflicts and solutions. Given the current status of countries such as Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon, it is evident that while the United Nations has quelled tensions and provided much needed humanitarian relief to people desperately affected by war, they have failed to bring about a true change in diplomatic relations between countries.
In many ways, the United Nations has served as a necessary force in providing stability in major areas of conflict. The most essential aspect of the United Nations’ role in the Middle East lies in its peacekeeping missions, particularly the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), The U.N. Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), and the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The UNDOF, since its creation in June of 1974, has played a large role in de-escalating tension between Israel and Syria over the Golan Heights. While tensions continue to exist between the two countries, physical U.N. presence has decreased the level of violence in the largely disputed territory. UNTSO, created in May 1948, sustains military observers from 23 nations and has long attempted to provide stability throughout the region. Finally, UNIFIL, in place since March 1978, has tried to reduce tension between Lebanon, Syria, and Israel over the past thirty years. These peacekeeping forces have allowed for a concession in violence; however, they have done little to change diplomatic tension which continues to rise.
The United Nations has served as an essential tool in aiding the millions of refugees, desperately in need of humanitarian assistance spread all throughout the region; most notably, the Palestinians. For example, the United Nations Relief and Words Agency (UNRWA) provides basic education, health and social services to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. UNRWA provides fundamental assistance that most states cannot afford to donate to refugees flooding their borders. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, education and healthcare systems are woefully underdeveloped and underfunded.
Recently, UNRWA has sought to aid the thousands of Iraqi refugees flooding Syria, Jordan and Lebanon as they flee chaos and war. As of mid-September, Lebanon has become home to almost 40,000 Iraqi refugees and asylum seekers. The U.N. High Commissioner for Protection has made several trips to these camps in both Syria and Lebanon, pleading with both countries to aid in making the situation in the camps more livable. This has been a difficult task. Lebanon currently hosts more refugees than any other country in the region, and their current situation in unsustainable. While the United Nations has made a host of recommendations, countries such as Lebanon and Syria do not have the funds or capability to support more refugee camps. As a result, thousands are living in sub-human conditions. Whether the U.N. will be able to produce the funds for these refugees is yet to be determined. In the meantime, they provide necessary shelter and food that would otherwise not exist.
While the United Nations’ peacekeeping and humanitarian ventures have been mildly successful on the whole, the organization fails to execute its policy regarding crucial diplomatic issues. Resolutions such as 242 and 338 which demand the right of return for the Palestinians have yet to be executed. The U.N. lacks the ability to implement such resolutions themselves. Many argue that violation of international law and escalation of violence in the Middle East is due to the U.N.’s lack of credibility as a moderator and negotiator. Bureaucracy, inefficiency, corruption and lack of military power are all factors contributing to the U.N.’s inability to implement a viable course of action in solving the crisis in the region. Continued insistence by Washington to handle issues of international importance themselves, has delegitimized the role of the United Nations as an international broker for peace and overshadowed its original significance. As a result, the U.N. has only been able to aid the region at a grassroots level. Rather than bring about true change and peace, the United Nations merely maintains the status quo. While this is a necessary task when handling immediate peacekeeping and humanitarian relief, the U.N. has not and cannot bring lasting peace to the region.