THE FALLACY OF MULTILATERALISM: THE UNITED NATIONS’ INVOLVEMENT IN THE GULF WAR AND ITS AFTERMATH

Abstract

The military confrontations between the United States and Iraq have now become commonplace. Clearly, the challenge that Iraq poses for the international community has not changed. The threats and actual use of force against Iraq demonstrate both the fragility of the post-Gulf War stability and the shortcomings of the Desert Storm victory. In fact, eight years after the Gulf War, its repercussions continue both in regional tension, discussions about the role of the UN, and justifications for the use of force. The precedents set by the United Nations' involvement in the Gulf War and its aftermath have had wide implications for the future use of force, the UN's credibility and a multilateral world order.