By Daniel DePetris
The U.N. Security Council, the organization's most important body on matters of peace and international security, could use a heavy dose of reform. International politics have changed markedly since the Council's first session in January 1946; states that were minor players in the international system at that time, like India and Brazil, are now significant powers in their respective regions. Going back to 1990, U.S. presidents have advocated for enlarging the Security Council: Bill Clinton wanted to grant Japan and Germany permanent seats; George W. Bush wanted Japan to join; and Barack Obama put his support for India's membership in writing. President Joe Biden has picked up on the tradition, tasking his ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, to lead an initiative that would add six permanent seats to the chamber (albeit without veto power).
This piece was originally published in Newsweek on August 10, 2023. Read more HERE.