The United Nations Security Council and War: The Evolution of Thought and Practice Since 1945

The United Nations suffers not only from derision and dismissal but also from unrealistic expectations about what it can and should achieve. It is therefore valuable to have a balanced and critical analysis of all aspects of the UN Security Council and war. This substantial, comprehensive, and authoritative volume contains 28 chapters by leading academics, lawyers, and practitioners, plus detailed appendices covering UN resolutions, sanctions, and operations. The contributors demonstrate how the council has managed to evolve without straying too far from the framework established by the original UN Charter and while taking into account the changing character of war. One complaint is that although most of the major events since 1945 are well covered, for some unaccountable reason there is no mention of the 1982 Falklands War.