Able Quote by Kofi Annan
“After the end of the cold war, everybody thought, fantastic, finally the UN may be able to do what it was originally set up to do without big power divisions. It would be easy to get them to come together to resolve things. You will recall, on the first Gulf war, you almost got a unanimous resolution and a very solid coalition.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: UN General Assembly, 1991
Post‑Cold War optimism about UN unity, but realpolitik limits cooperation.
In simple terms: UN hoped for unity, but power politics persist.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of idealism in diplomacy.
Themes
politics
international relations
optimism
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
analytical
policy
When to use this quote
- peace negotiations
- multilateral treaties
- conflict resolution
- UN reforms
Key Concepts
realism
institutional constraints
Questions to Reflect On
- Can the UN overcome great‑power divisions?
- What reforms could improve UN effectiveness?
A Different Perspective
Idealistic expectations may overlook entrenched interests.
![“There was a time, with the Berlin Wall down, that [it looked as if] the UN finally could do what it was set up to do, the rivalry between the two camps would dissipate, and we could all co-operate. And then, of course, Iraq came and blew it all apart. These upheavals will always take place in the…” quote by Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/48a/kofi-annan-799_berlin_there-was-a-time-with-the-berlin-wall-do_2422463.jpg)
