A second chance: The unipolar moment and the creation of a UN permanent military
Abstract
This article delves into the attempt made in the early 1990s to activate the dormant Article 43 of the UN Charter, aiming to establish a standing military force at the disposal of the Security Council. Utilising recently declassified documents from US archives, the paper illustrates the US stance during this endeavour, revealing a paradoxical pattern: although seemingly supportive of the UN during the 1991 Gulf War, the US consistently opposed bolstering the organisation’s military capacities. This resistance reflected a persistent aversion to embracing an international security framework, ultimately undermining the prospect of a more influential UN role in the post-Cold War era.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Global Peace and Security Dynamics
Military and Defense Studies
Gender
Security
and Conflict
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Strategic Studies
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 517–545
- Publication date
- 7 January 2026
- Language
- EN