The framers of the UN Charter negotiated its stipulations amidst the ongoing carnage of World War II and while the memories of the League of Nations’ failure were still fresh. They hoped for a renewed and successful effort to create a lasting peace but were aware that it required the complete adherence of all member states to the requirements of the Charter. But it was not to happen. The unrestrained pursuit of national interests and the Cold War continuously prevented the implementation of basic demands of the Charter. Due to the Soviet Union’s absence, the UN was exceptionally able to act in the Korean War and then again for several years after the end of the Cold War against aggression and terrorism.

The debate about the effectiveness of the Security Council in creating peace and security in the world is as old as the institution. For many years practitioners and scholars have discussed how factors such as the role of major powers, the unrepresentative structure of its permanent membership, or their veto power affect the Council’s impact on world politics. Such debates are legitimate and profoundly necessary, but in the present international situation a more fundamental challenge has arisen, that threatens the very foundation on which institutions like the UN are built: the assault on multilateralism and on the concept of a rules based international order that relies on cooperation among nations as its guiding norm. Unless that assault is effectively resisted, attempts at reforming or improving this or that international institution have scant chances of success.

A sampling of recent books from Belfer Center affiliates.

Currently, scholars and political leaders are facing various global challenges: failing states, conflicts over distribution, terrorism and the refugee crisis represent only some of them. In this book, acclaimed experts from Germany and abroad offer a panorama of the international security threats of the 21^st century. With a particular focus on the role of Germany, these experts present strategic approaches through which these challenges can be tackled in the most effective and sensible way, thus providing new impulses for the security policy debate in Germany.

America and the world have yet to see the likes of this: a newly elected administration that is setting out with manic energy to destroy in mere days what took decades to build. Perhaps the most important and, for friends of the United States, the most painful collateral damage: America’s standing as the world’s moral leader defending democracy, human rights, the rights of minorities and transparency.