On a recent episode of Fox Business's "The Bottom Line," Victor Davis Hanson, a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, urged President Donald Trump to reconsider the United Nations' presence and influence in the United States.
Hanson, a prominent conservative voice, argued that the U.N. has devolved into an ineffective entity, reminiscent of the now-defunct League of Nations, and that President Trump stands as the sole leader willing to tackle global challenges directly.
According to Western Journal, Hanson suggested that it might be time for the U.S. to reevaluate its financial contributions to international organizations and consider relocating the U.N. headquarters from New York. "I think weve got to cut back on all of the so-called refugee relief funds. And weve got out of most of them. And weve got out a lot of the spinoffs, like the WHO and other criminal courts," Hanson stated. He further questioned the value of maintaining the U.N. in New York, noting, "But I think Trump should have a serious conversation whether you even want the U.N. headquarters in New York. Because for half the membership, thats the only time they ever vote in a democratic fashion."
Hanson's critique extended to the symbolic and strategic implications of hosting the U.N. in the United States, suggesting that the gesture has lost its significance. He proposed relocating the organization to countries such as Ghana or Peru, arguing that many U.N. representatives enjoy the luxuries of New York while returning to autocratic regimes. "They go home to these autocratic societies. They like to live it up in the United States and then live it up in Manhattan. So I think he should say, You know what. Put it in Ghana or maybe, I dont know, Peru or somewhere. And its pretty irrelevant. I cant think of one thing its done in the last 30, 40, 50 years to further peace," he added.
The U.N. recently announced a significant reduction in its global peacekeeping force, cutting 25% of its troops due to U.S. funding reductions linked to President Trump's "America First" policy. This decision will see up to 14,000 troops withdrawn from various missions worldwide. A senior U.N. official confirmed that the budget for peacekeeping operations would decrease by 15%, impacting support offices, including one in Somalia.
A Gallup poll conducted in September revealed that 63% of American adults believe the U.N. is underperforming, a sentiment that emerged just before the organization's general debate. While the majority still view the U.N. as a necessary institution, its support has waned compared to previous years.
In July, President Trump reiterated his intention to withdraw the U.S. from the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, citing concerns over its perceived left-leaning bias.
This move aligns with his administration's broader skepticism towards international bodies that, in their view, do not align with American interests or values.
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