McCain gets Onboard

Finally, someone who gets their face on TV regularly agrees with me: the UN is obsolete and needs to be replaced. It has long been apparent to this Administration that the United Nations has become a victim of its own permanent members (and their vetoes). Its most common response to conflict and diaster around the world is increasingly, paralysis. Take your pick of Darfur, Israel, Iran and Iraq as examples of the UN’s stuttering non-influence.

US Republican Presidential candidate John McCain has decided today that this fact can now be viewed as a US foreign policy (and therefore campaign) issue - and he’s right. McCain, identifying the veto happy Chinese and Russians, has suggested a "League of Democracies" should be formed in the UN’s stead, allowing a smoother path to pursing US foreign policy, with like minded allies. His emphasis was on increasing humanitarian efforts, such as Darfur intervention, and fighting HIV – but he also referred to environmental and economic policy co-operation. Humbly, for a US Republican, he added "Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom, knowledge and resources necessary to succeed.” Isn’t it nice to hear an American say that?

It’s not a flawless suggestion by any means, but it’s a good start. The underlying problem with the UN is that it has outlived its original design. The UN was formed in 1945 by the Allies, following their WWII victory. Composed of 50 nations, its prime purpose was to preserve the newly found peace. 62 years on, the UN now boasts 192 members (almost every independent state) and the common philosophy (and enemies) of the Allies have long faded. In its efforts to be inclusive, the UN has made it almost impossible to reach general agreement on virtually anything. Accordingly, McCain’s idea is to basically pare away dissenters (and vetoers) and to formalise alliances with like-minded nations. Like a coalition of the willing – but permanent.

McCain, for what its worth, seems to be nostalgic – in the face of a decomposing US reputation. From his comments, he appreciates that any new organisation will only operate as well as the US allows (their role as lone Superpower and the breadth of their influence is hard to deny, and their place in the driving seat of this League of Democracies is a given). He remembers a time before the US had expended its good faith with allies like Britain, (and even Australia) – and before Europe had had enough of their grandstanding. He’s trying to reach back to the close of WWII, where the US not only held international influence, but was trusted and respected. A time when pursing democracy still seemed like a valiant quest. However, given the behaviour of the US in the last decade and the implosion of their foreign policy, few share his vision.

McCain is a complex candidate. His reputation for integrity, ‘straight talk’ and idealism has long made him popular – while his support of Bush and the Iraq troop surge have pegged him back. He has recently courted controversy by advocating bombing Iran (with a song parodying the Beach Boys song Barbara Ann), and joking with Jon Stewart about IED’s, after his 'stroll' through Baghdad. He’s an old school conservative, but he puts his money where his mouth is. He's pro-Iraq, but his son is serving there. He's militaristic, but he's a Vietnam Vet and POW. Chances are he won’t win the Presidency or the Republican primary - but, I like him being in the debate, reminding us of what the US stood for in the past, and agreeing with me that the UN has passed its use by date.