The Paradox of Global Power Trading

Ishtiaq Ahmed

Islamabad: The “Paradox of Global Power Trading” is starkly on display as world leaders gather in New York for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. This meeting unfolds against the backdrop of several urgent crises: Israel’s expansionist war in the Middle East, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and mounting concerns over global climate change.

The General Assembly’s first high-level debate began on Tuesday, September 24, with an address by President Joe Biden—likely his final one before he hands over the reins to his successor following the upcoming U.S. elections. Yet, as global leaders convene, questions loom over the UN’s continued relevance, with many calling for its reform.

The intensity of global challenges—ranging from climate change and poverty to inequalities, health crises, and armed conflicts—has made these calls more urgent than ever.

While the UN remains one of the world’s most important humanitarian organizations, known for overseeing relief efforts for refugees, disaster victims, and more, its principal security body has repeatedly appeared powerless in resolving some of the world’s most intractable conflicts.

Even at the highest levels of the organisation, there is growing recognition of the need for radical change, but no clear consensus on what that should look like. One major point of contention is the imbalance of representation on the Security Council.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has acknowledged that the UN cannot mediate conflicts where the involved parties are not seeking mediation, as is the case with Russia and Ukraine, or Israel and Hamas. Russia’s involvement in Ukraine, as both an aggressor and a permanent member of the Security Council, exposes a deeper flaw in the system: a problem not only of effectiveness but of legitimacy.

Key Issues Facing the 79th General Assembly

This year’s session is marked by four major competing isues: Israel’s expansionist occupation of Gaza, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and India’s forced occupation of Kashmir.

Global climate change also ranks high on the agenda, though powerful nations continue to stall meaningful action for economic reasons. However, despite the importance of these issues, the Kashmir conflict is likely to receive little attention, as major global players are reluctant to antagonize India due to their political and economic interests.

1. Israel’s Expansionist War in Gaza

Israel’s ongoing military campaign, aimed at annihilating Hamas and Hezbollah, coupled with the indiscriminate targeting of civilians in Gaza, has drawn international condemnation.

Yet, despite calls for an immediate ceasefire, Israel continues to press its advantage with the full backing of the U.S., its principal benefactor, as well as the UK and other NATO allies. The arrogance with which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses these calls is evident—especially in the recent bombings of Lebanon that coincided with the UN General Assembly meeting.

The Muslim world, apart from a few vocal nations like Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, has largely remained silent or powerless. Iran, due to its alliance with Russia and its role in supporting Hamas, remains marginalized by the West.

Turkey’s position is complicated by its NATO membership and its desire to maintain economic ties with Israel and the West. As for Saudi Arabia, its close ties to the U.S. limit its ability to take an independent stance. This leaves little hope for a unified response to Israel’s expansionist designs in the Middle East.

2. Russia-Ukraine War

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to make an impassioned plea for more military aid, including long-range missiles, to strike Russian targets. Zelensky’s argument is that Ukraine is fighting not just for its survival, but as a last line of defence against Putin’s broader expansionist ambitions.

This narrative resonates strongly with the U.S. and NATO, which see Ukraine as a crucial bulwark against Russian aggression. However, while the West continues to supply weapons and financial support, Ukraine bears the brunt of the human and economic toll of this proxy war.

3. India’s Occupation of Kashmir

Meanwhile, the ongoing occupation of Kashmir by India is likely to remain in the shadows at the General Assembly. Given India’s growing political and economic clout, neither the Security Council nor major global powers are keen to address this issue.

For them, maintaining good relations with India outweighs the need to confront its controversial actions in Kashmir, leaving millions in the region to suffer in silence.

The Climate Crisis: An Ongoing Struggle

On the issue of climate change, despite a series of high-powered summits and global agreements, the world’s most powerful economies continue to drag their feet.

These nations, which are the primary contributors to global emissions, are also the ones most resistant to meaningful change due to their vested economic interests. Meanwhile, countries in the Global South, which are least responsible for climate change, are bearing the brunt of its devastating effects.

Lacking the resources and infrastructure to adapt, they are left vulnerable to unpredictable disasters fueled by global warming. Despite the urgency of the crisis, it’s clear that the road to climate justice will be long and fraught with obstacles.

The Paradox of Global Power

In sum, this year’s General Assembly starkly highlights the paradox of global power trading. The UN, originally conceived as a forum for conflict resolution and international cooperation, is increasingly hamstrung by the political maneuvering of its most powerful members.

Conflicts like Israel’s occupation of Gaza, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and India’s occupation of Kashmir are met with selective outrage, dictated by the strategic and economic interests of global powers.

At the same time, the world’s most pressing existential threat climate change is met with half-hearted measures, as the very countries most responsible for the crisis prioritize economic growth over collective action.

As the 79th General Assembly proceeds, the world watches, hoping for breakthroughs but bracing for the status quo. The UN, once a beacon of hope for multilateral cooperation, now stands at a crossroads, its future relevance hanging in the balance.

Will the global community finally rise to the challenge, or will the paradox of global power continue to undermine the pursuit of peace, justice, and sustainability?

The author is a British citizen of Pakistani origin with a keen interest in Pakistani and international affairs.

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.