OPINION: The United Nations needs American leadership

President Donald Trump got one thing right in his combative speech to the United Nations General Assembly [on Sept. 23]. The UN, he said, had such great promise, but it has failed to live up to its potential. Few reasonable people would disagree. But Trump’s approach to the organization’s perceived failures is exactly wrong. Insulting its members, rejecting its priorities, and dismissing its achievements sends a message that America will not be a reliable partner in addressing the world’s problems. The UN needs U.S. engagement and strong American leadership. And the United States needs an effective United Nations, the one body that brings together all the world’s governments to resolve conflicts and support democracy and human rights. The United Nations came into being 80 years ago, when a majority of members ratified the charter that delegates had drafted at a meeting in San Francisco. Its founders were determined to avoid what happened after World War I, when the League of Nations, without U.S. membership, failed to prevent conflicts that again led to global war. The UN has always faced criticism and even outright opposition. Many Americans worried we would concede it too much power, undermining national sovereignty. At the same time, the UN can be ponderous and slow to act. Veto power granted the five permanent members of the Security Council — the U.S., China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom — blocks actions that are counter to any of their interests. There are legitimate concerns about the size and inefficiency of the bureaucracy. The organization is sometimes accused of being biased against America and our allies, notably Israel. But the UN has played an important role in protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting development and upholding international law.  Most importantly, it deserves some credit for preventing a third world war. NATO peacekeepers, now deployed in 11 missions, have helped contain local conflicts. Americans appreciate this work. A survey this year by the Pew Research Center found that 57 percent have a favorable view of the UN while only 41 percent have an unfavorable view. From those findings, Trump’s address to the General Assembly was out of synch with public opinion. The hour-long speech was typical Trump: a mix of boasts, insults, and exaggeration. He bashed immigration, called climate change a hoax, faulted Europe for buying Russian oil, and bragged about the U.S. economy. “Your countries are going to hell,” he told his audience. Afterward, however, Trump told Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that he supports the UN because “the potential for peace at this institution is great.” He signaled greater support for Ukraine in its war with Russia and had a friendly encounter with Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the kind of dialogue UN gatherings should promote. Trump often contradicts himself, and actions matter more than words. He has withdrawn from several UN bodies, including the World Health Organization, the Human Rights Council and UNESCO. The U.S. has cut or is proposing to cut billions of dollars in funding. The sensible answer to the United Nations’ failings is reform, not rejection. In fact, Guterres, who has been secretary-general since 2017, has instituted reforms and focused on finances. Withholding U.S. support will make the work harder. Several years ago, Illinois Congressman David Dreier and I co-chaired a Council on Foreign Relations task force on enhancing U.S. leadership at the United Nations. We called for working with other democratic members to strengthen the organization’s promotion of democracy. We also recommended more consistent support of human rights, with sanctions for egregious violations, and efforts to strengthen counterterrorism. The priorities in that report could guide robust U.S. engagement that would make the UN more effective and better aligned with our values and interests. The United Nations has great potential, no less today than when it was founded. It’s more likely to achieve success with strong and supportive American leadership.      

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Lee Hamilton, 94, is a senior advisor for the Indiana University (IU) Center on Representative Government, distinguished scholar at the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and professor of practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Hamilton, a Democrat, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years (1965-1999), representing a district in south-central Indiana.