UN and Iraq: The Weakest Coalition Essay Example

and injustice, based on the idea of human nature being inherently good and capable of improving its conditions of existence.

Despite the duration of the US-Iraqi War, the United Nations has not intervened to resolve the ongoing aggression and internal conflicts among Iraqi factions. Realists explain that Iraqi religious groups aim to maintain exclusive power over others and act in their own interests. Any other faction in power is seen as a threat that could cause insecurity. Given that security is crucial in the anarchical society, these factions will continue to fight until the state of Iraq is partitioned through either violent means or diplomatic intervention by the United Nations. Social constructivists, like liberals, recommend alternative approaches to reforming Iraq.

According to Social Constructivism, the prevailing beliefs and socially constructed regulations shape each state. Cultural practices hold the most significant influence over behavior, though structural forces possess minimal impact. Nevertheless, the deeply divergent religious factions in Iraq cannot overcome their differences, thwarting social constructivists' efforts to teach them tolerance. This failure stems from each group's innate desire to outdo the other. The United Nations and United States contend that the quality of life has enhanced for both Shi'as and Sunnis in Iraq. However, the concept of absolute versus reality contradicts this assertion.

Although both parties have seen improvements in their availability of services and safety under the concept of absolute gains, these gains are minimal or non-existent when viewed in a relative context. With the rise of Shi'as through Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's leadership, Sunnis who once held political dominance now perceive themselves as lower in Iraq's societal hierarchy. This shift has left Sunnis worse off

than they were before the American invasion of Iraq, facing similar persecution to what Shi'as experienced under Sunni rule.

The Shi'as have emerged as the dominant religious group in Iraq, resulting in relative losses for the Sunni party and posing a threat to their safety and personal interests. The intervention of the UN and US has further unsettled both groups, with significant implications for the surrounding region. This internal conflict in Iraq has caused negative externalities that have affected neighboring states, a phenomenon known as a common problem in protecting public goods or resources according to Coglianese. The conflicting state interests and goals between Iraq and the United States due to its newfound independence are described by Grieco as "epiphenomenal," meaning it is not causally cooperative but rather based on shared interests.

The lack of cooperation among several countries such as Israel, Pakistan, Syria, and Iran has resulted in negative externalities. This has caused an increase in refugees and terrorists who have contributed to the emergence of more terrorist organizations in different nations. The United States' safety and security objective is at risk due to this situation. The United Nations faces a challenge as it tries to intervene in Iraq again since it lacks legitimacy both normatively and descriptively. Society does not accept or believe in the legitimacy of political decisions and orders.

"(Zurn 2004) stresses that the United Nations' success in the turbulent region of Iraq is contingent upon its legitimacy. Unfortunately, the lack of a well-established transnational political community, which relies partly on trust and solidarity, leaves the United Nations vulnerable to such challenges. Thus, the United Nations must continue to strive for legitimacy among Iraqis

for years to come. The critical component missing from the UN-Iraq relationship is trust as Iraqis find it difficult to place faith in an organization largely influenced by the United States."

An unbiased observer would conclude that any United Nations intervention involving the United States is bound to fail due to its unique position. Although it leads these operations, attempts to reconcile and improve Iraq inevitably fall short. To make a genuine impact, the United States must relinquish its role in Middle Eastern affairs, including association with Israel. While both the United States and the UN remain optimistic about cooperation's ability to address corruption and aggression in Iraq, realists see their involvement as ineffective and absurd. Regardless of how much financial aid or resources either organization directs towards Iraq - with heavy US involvement - change seems unlikely. The only viable solution involves forming separate nations to tackle internal conflict and strife within Iraq.

The concept of success in Iraq must be relinquished by the United States as it has been rejected by many Americans. Instead, they prefer to allocate the wasted funds towards domestic security, immigration, education, and healthcare. While liberals and the US persist in extolling progress in Iraq, realists must explore alternative approaches to defend national interests and ensure security in different regions.