--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The US wished things to turn out as they…" description: "\"The US wished things to turn out as they did, and worked to bring this about. The department of state desired that the UN prove utterly ineffective in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/daniel-patrick-moynihan-8627_department_the-us-wished-things-to-turn-out-as-they_103254.jpg" --- # The US wished things to turn out as they did, and worked… ![“The US wished things to turn out as they did, and worked to bring this about. The department of state desired that the UN prove utterly ineffective in whatever measures it undertook. This task was given to me, and I carried it forward with no inconsiderable success.” quote by Daniel Patrick Moynihan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/daniel-patrick-moynihan-8627_department_the-us-wished-things-to-turn-out-as-they_103254.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/daniel-patrick-moynihan-8627_department_the-us-wished-things-to-turn-out-as-they_103254.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/daniel-patrick-moynihan-8627_department_the-us-wished-things-to-turn-out-as-they_103254.jpg) > “The US wished things to turn out as they did, and worked to bring this about. The department of state desired that the UN prove utterly ineffective in whatever measures it undertook. This task was given to me, and I carried it forward with no inconsiderable success.” [Daniel Patrick Moynihan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-patrick-moynihan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker claims to have deliberately undermined the UN’s effectiveness, aligning with a U.S. policy that preferred a weaker multilateral body. **In simple terms:** U.S. aimed to keep the UN ineffective. Key Takeaway Powerful states may sabotage international institutions to preserve influence. Themes international relations U.S. foreign policy UN realism Mood cynical critical Type political historical When to use this quote - diplomatic negotiations - UN reform debates - foreign‑policy planning Key Concepts power dynamics institutional decay Practical Applications - strategic diplomatic engagement - building alternative coalitions Questions to Reflect On - Why would a nation weaken an organization it once supported? - What are the hidden costs of a weakened UN? A Different Perspective Undermining the UN can erode global cooperation and damage long‑term U.S. credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ineffective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ineffective/) ## Related quotes > [“In the silence that followed, I was aware of just how much I wished things were different. I wanted to be able to talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-matson/in-the-silence-that-followed-i-was-aware-of-just-how-much-i-wished/) [Morgan Matson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-matson/) > [“When I returned to New York, it had already changed. I always wished things could just remain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-lillith-assadi/when-i-returned-to-new-york-it-had-already-changed-i-always-wished/) [Hannah Lillith Assadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-lillith-assadi/) > [I've wished for things and never really had the chance...It's time to stop dreaming and do something about it. 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