UN and Malvinas - 2026

Poll

To what extent are the League of Nations and the UN similar?

• To a great extent

• To a certain extent

• To a small extent

Poll

Ukraine presents a potentially existential crisis for the U.N., given that it was created 77 years ago with the express intent of “sav[ing] succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” With the Security Council paralyzed by the Russian veto, the question lingering in the air is whether the U.N. will repeat the history of its ill-fated predecessor, the League of Nations, which abjectly failed to stop fascist aggression during the 1930s. That sad tale is worth remembering now, as we assess whether the U.N., too, is destined for history’s trash bin. (Patrick, 2022, para. 3)

To what extent does the UN structure contribute to the achievement of its aims?

• To a great extent

• To a certain extent

• To a small extent

Poll

The UN Security Council has failed to adopt a resolution aiming to boost security in the Strait of Hormuz as the critical shipping corridor remains largely closed to global trade and the transport of humanitarian aid, with war continuing to rage across the region. 

Eleven countries voted in favour of the draft, which was vetoed by permanent members China and Russia. (...)

The draft resolution sought to strongly encourage States interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz – which lies between Iran, Oman and the United Arab Emirates – and to “coordinate efforts” defensively, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation there, including the use of escorts for merchant and commercial vessels. 

The draft also demanded that Iran immediately cease all attacks on shipping and any attempt to impede transit or freedom of navigation in the strait. (UN News, 2026 April 7, para. 1-3).

To what extent does the UN structure contribute to the achievement of its aims?

• To a great extent

• To a certain extent

• To a small extent

Poll

To what extent do you agree with the cartoonist?

• To a great extent

• To a certain extent

• To a small extent

Poll

To what extent has the UN been a successful organization?

• To a great extent

• To a certain extent

• To a small extent

​The Question of the Malvinas Islands

Argentina’s vice president has told residents of the Falkland Islands to “go back to England”, after a leaked memo from the Pentagon suggested the US could review its position on Britain’s claim to the territory.

The internal memo leaked last week listed a change in US policy as a potential punishment for Nato allies refusing to join the US-Israeli strikes against Iran.

The islands are administered by the UK but are still claimed by Argentina, whose president Javier Milei is a close ally of Donald Trump.

After news of the memo emerged, Argentina’s vice president took to social media on Saturday to affirm her nation’s claim on the South Atlantic territory.

“Today, more than ever, the Malvinas are Argentine,” Victoria Villarruel wrote on X.

“The discussion over the sovereignty of our islands is between states, therefore the United Kingdom must discuss bilaterally with Argentina the claim that we maintain for legal, historical and geographical reasons.

“The Kelpers [Falkland Islanders] are English people who live in Argentine territory; they are not part of the discussion.”

She added in another post: “If they feel English, they should go back to the thousands of miles away where their country is.”

Britain and Argentina fought a brief war in 1982 over the islands after Argentina made a failed bid to take them. Some 650 Argentine soldiers and 255 British troops died before Argentina surrendered.

On Friday, Downing Street was forced to insist the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is “not in question”, while the territory’s government said it had “complete confidence in the commitment made by the UK government to uphold and defend our right of self-determination”. (Stavrou, 2026 April 27, para. 1-10).

Poll

Do you consider the Malvinas question will be solved in the near future?

• Yes.

• No.

​Next week