Inter Press Service, Sept. 1, 2026, By Thalif Deen, Quotes Zunes, who said the makeup of the Security Council, having the headquarters of the United Nations located in the United States, is an outdated relic of World War II. For most of the UN’s history the United States has vetoed far more otherwise-unanimous UNSC resolutions than any other country. And Washington has repeatedly reneged on its financial obligations. Under both Republican and Democratic administrations, said Dr Zunes, the U.S. has repeatedly attacked UN institutions, including its judicial bodies, humanitarian organizations, and investigative commissions, particularly in regard to the enforcement of international humanitarian law. “The U.S. wars on Iraq and Iran and the U.S. recognition of Israeli and Moroccan annexations of territories seized by military force have underscored a brazen disregard for the foundational principles of the UN Charter… And the refusal to allow a delegation of a permanent observer member state (Palestine) is a direct violation of the U.S.-UN agreement making New York the world body’s headquarters. Despite this, there are certainly major logistical, financial, and institutional reasons why it would not make sense for the United Nations to remove its headquarters from New York. The very fact that it is even being discussed, however, is indicative that the United States is increasingly becoming an international pariah and an ironic choice as the host nation,” declared Dr Zunes.
