Today, the United States co-sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution that may weaken the force of its veto on the Security Council. Elliott Abrams argues that this seemingly innocuous measure is intended to be the first step toward either abolishing permanent Security Council members’ veto power altogether or granting the General Assembly the authority to override a veto.
A moment’s thought shows how damaging this might be to U.S. interests. The United States is a global power that has been involved in military activities repeatedly. Without our veto power, the Security Council could do literally anything: subject American troops to International Criminal Court jurisdiction; subject the United States to new international treaties or agreements that impose standards to which we object and outlaw military activities we consider vital to our national security; and outside the area of national security, adopt standards relating to parents, children, family law, and gender rules that we find objectionable, or impose rules against “insults to religion” that clearly violate the First Amendment. Without the veto there is simply no way to protect against limitless actions against our national interest.
Moreover, the long list of U.S. vetoes of resolutions reflects the terrible, long-lasting bias of the United Nations against Israel. . . . The United States has used its veto in the UN Security Council fourteen times since 2000, and twelve of those fourteen were exercised to protect Israel from biased and destructive resolutions. . . . . Of course those who specialize in attacking Israel, and U.S. support for Israel, want the veto eliminated—and that is another very good explanation of why it must be maintained. Delegitimizing the veto is a step toward delegitimizing Israel.
Read more on Pressure Points: https://www.cfr.org/blog/biden-administrations-flirts-dangerous-moves-weaken-us-veto-power-united-nations