One Way to Rebuild our Reputation in the World
As we move toward the general election in November, both parties are increasingly on the lookout for messages that appeal to the broad center of the American electorate. Enhancing America’s international image is clearly one such message: according to bi-partisan polling conducted late last year, which was commissioned by the Better World Campaign, American voters of both political parties share an overwhelming desire for a president who will help improve America’s standing in the world. Moreover, 87 percent of swing voters prefer a candidate who will work with allies and through international organizations, rather than go it alone.
One relatively easy and visible way to signal that the U.S. intends to reengage the international community is to catch up on our dues at the UN. The U.S. currently has $1.2 billion in permanent debt to the UN, which includes both our peacekeeping and regular budget contributions. This is money that we either unilaterally decided not to pay or didn’t adequately budget for in previous years. This debt is a blight on our reputation and a burden to the next Administration. It does not serve American interests and drags down our already diminished reputation in the world.
The U.S. is by far the largest debtor to the UN, owing ten times more than any other nation. By the end of the year, the U.S. will, once again, account for about 50% of all past due bills at the UN and an astounding 95% of debt in the UN’s regular budget account—which funds UN political missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has repeatedly testified that the U.S. aims to pay its obligations at the UN, and the U.S. has continued to use its voice and vote in the Security Council to call for an expanded UN role in conflicts from Haiti to Darfur to Iraq. Fully paying UN dues, however, has not been a priority in recent White House budget submissions.
Republican and Democratic candidates agree that the UN needs to function more effectively and use its resources more efficiently. The question really is how best to ensure that the UN can handle the increasingly large and complex challenges being tossed into its in-box—like tackling climate change, coordinating assistance in Afghanistan, or facilitating peace in Darfur. While some would suggest that the best way to ensure good performance at the UN is to strangle its funding then insist on U.S.-driven managerial reforms, this method has recently been tried—with disastrous effects. It has ensured that the UN lacks reliable funding streams to pay for infrastructure upgrades; it has galvanized opposition to the U.S. at the UN. The U.S. is far better served by trying to work earnestly and constructively with other nations at the UN rather than trying to bludgeon 192 member states into meeting a hard list of U.S. demands. And one key way to persuade other countries of our earnest desire to engage constructively at the UN would be living up to our treaty commitments and paying off our back dues.
Americans have a substantial interest in securing a stronger and more efficient United Nations. The organization furthers U.S. national security interests that are crucial to world peace and security. The next Administration—and even Congress, before the next President takes office—should seize this opportunity to pay off this debt and help rebuild America’s standing in the world.
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