What is the United Nations?
The United Nations (UN) is one of the most widely recognized institutions in the world, bringing together more than 190 nations. The bright blue of the UN has become an international symbol, quickly recognized on flags, boxes of aid, and on military uniforms.
The UN serves as a forum for nations to collaboratively tackle complex global problems with a nuanced, global solution. Every day, the United Nations works to create and enforce trade and regulatory frameworks, peace agreements, aid distribution, scientific collaboration, and more. Joining the UN brings a state into this wide network of resources, which includes major economic institutions like the International Monetary Foundation (IMF) and World Trade Organization (WTO).
The UN isn’t always thought of in such a positive light. It took Switzerland over 50 years to join! The United States has just pulled out of several large organizations within the UN, in a move seeming to distance the world power from the UN. This is not the first UN-skeptic move from the United States. In the early 2010’s, there were new calls for the United States to leave the UN. With the Trump administration being more transactional and isolationist in nature, this piece seeks to explore the potential for a US withdrawal, not only from the security council, but from the United Nations as a whole.
Could the US seek to withdraw from the United Nations as a whole?
With the new administration, there may be an attempt by either Mr. Trump or his allies to withdraw the US from the UN. No country has ever withdrawn from the institution in its nearly 80 year history. There have been attempts to leave and even attempts to expel members. However, there is no formal mechanism to leave the UN, although the UN Charter does provide insight into when a member state can be expelled. Article 6 of the UN Charter allows for the Security Council to recommend expulsion of a member, but it has never been invoked, despite the numerous opportunities that have presented themselves.
Prior Attempts to Withdraw from the United Nations
There was one instance of a country attempting to withdraw from the UN. Indonesia did intend to withdraw from the UN in 1965. A formal letter was submitted to the General Assembly stating Indonesia’s intent to withdraw from the organization. However, Indonesia would go through a violent change in government later that year. The government that would later rise to power would reverse course and remain a part of the UN. Ultimately, Indonesia is still a member of the UN and one of the emerging economies of the world.
Concluding Thoughts
A formal withdrawal from the United Nations is extremely unlikely for any state, let alone a permanent member of the security council. There is one option that the Trump administration could pursue to further distance the US from the transnational organization. The United States could withdraw any and all funding from the United Nations, and even go as far as to stop sending and form of representation.
The Trump Administration has shown a propensity to withhold funding to various departments and organizations in just the first few weeks. This nuclear option has not been gaining any sort of meaningful traction, but it remains an option. No one can say for certain how the halls of the General Assembly would feel without an American presence, but there would be a large absence that is sure to be felt. As one example of the complications from a US withdrawal from the UN: one of two headquarters are located in New York City.
Further Reading
For more articles on US diplomacy, this article talks about a new book on Henry Kissinger’s global impact as a long-serving, leading US statesman: Kissinger’s Shadow: New Required Reading.