How do we get out of here?

Ikonomou Pantelis, former IAEA nuclear inspector, writes:

President Trump and the international community

The geopolitical pendulum swings decisively through the power of arrogance and ignorance of a potential global hegemon. The US President Donald Trump. Continuous rotation of positions. Theatrical complacency and quest for public impression. Complete lack of strategic goals. Absence of serious planning.

His top characteristic is egotistic despotism. International institutions, fundamental values and universal rules of law are disregarded. Historical allies and friends of America are insulted. Pariah states and authoritarian leaders are admired. Signs of personal insecurity? Perhaps. However, they all result in worldwide untrustworthiness.

The threats to humanity

Most dangerously, the enormous threats to humanity are belittled or ridiculed: nuclear weapons, climate change, epidemics, poverty. Science, the locomotive of human civilization, is mocked. The interest of power succeeds. Might makes right. Extortionate deals are the goal.

Violence is growing and spreading worldwide. Wars and unspeakable human misery are increasing. Geopolitical disorder is on the march. Reasonable questions are raised: Is the sun setting on the West? Will humanity decline? Do we follow an irreversible course towards anarchy? Are these all samples of global entropy? Where is our planet headed?

A black hole lurks. Global threats are now ultimate. We need to comprehend it. If we ignore them, history will cease to repeat itself, forever. It is high time for the international community to act. Within the framework of the UN. Beyond colorful photos, bombastic declarations and inexpensive wishful speeches. There is need for bold decisions and above all, for binding actions.

What can be done?

There are serious proposals for Amending the UN Charter in order to achieve critical changes in the 15-member UN Security Council (UNSC), including: (a) Adding two representatives from Africa and two from Asia, (b) abolition of the right for veto of its permanent five (P5) nuclear members, (c) decisions of the majority of the UNSC to be binding and, (d) anyone who does not comply with the UN Charter should lose the right to vote.

Obviously, there will be serious obstacles. Such as, disagreements in agreeing on which countries will occupy Asian and African seats, Latin American demands, German ambitions, and European over-representation. The gravest hindrance would be the unwillingness of the P5 to give up their veto power. For any amendment of the UN Charter all P5 ultimate approval is required.

The moral and pragmatic power of the vast majority of the world population represented in the UN General Assembly is the most effective instrument for change. Only people can force the P5 leaders to undertake the way out of the catastrophic dead locks. Today’s perilous world crises do not allow for prolonging superpowers’ games through the UNSC. The future of the international community is grave. World leaders’ responsibility is paramount, so is their challenge to preserve and secure world peace.