The veto right and its negative effects in the Security Council and the possibility of reforming it

Abstract

     The changes in the international system after World War II weakened the role of the Security Council, as major powers granted themselves veto power over any resolution that conflicted with their interests, a phenomenon particularly evident during the Cold War. This polarization between the two superpowers (the United States and the Soviet Union) often rendered the Council incapable of fulfilling its mission of maintaining international peace and security, as each side prioritized its own interests against the other.                                                  

     The veto power held by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council is a major obstacle to the Council's ability to maintain international peace and security, as it allows any one of these countries to block any resolution, regardless of the support it receives from other nations. The excessive use of this power, driven by the national interests of these countries, has undermined the Council's effectiveness and its capacity to achieve its fundamental objectives. There is an urgent need to reform the UN Security Council, particularly with regard to the veto power, given its negative effects that hinder its work and make it a tool in the hands of permanent member states to protect their own interests. This right has contributed to the paralysis of the Security Council in resolving many important international issues, especially with regard to international peace and security, which weakens the credibility of the United Nations as a whole. This research addresses the problem of the excessive use of the veto power in the Security Council and examines the responsibility of major powers for the Council's failure to achieve its objectives as outlined in the UN Charter. The research aims to uncover the truth and determine responsibility for the Security Council's shortcomings, and it also seeks to offer findings and solutions to address this problem, which impacts international peace and security.