Rare! UN Secretary-General singles out the United States and Russia—two permanent members of the Security Council—in one go! On August 26, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, "I believe it is now time for the superpowers to recognize the limits of their power. If you look back at recent events, the ability of superpowers to impose their will, strength, or force has been severely constrained in many cases."
Look at what has happened between Russia and Ukraine. Look at what has occurred between the United States and Iran. My point is, superpowers need to understand that things have changed. The weight of different countries has shifted, inevitably affecting how power relations are established. Clearly, as UN Secretary-General, Guterres rarely publicly criticizes any nation; thus, singling out two superpowers—the U.S. and Russia—simultaneously makes this move even more exceptional.
Although Guterres' remarks were phrased diplomatically, his message was unmistakable. In short, in Guterres’ view, the U.S. and Russia—as superpowers—are currently using military force to undermine the international order, and such attempts to impose their will through force are increasingly ineffective. This direct statement is unlikely to please either Washington or Moscow. But the real question is: why is Guterres saying this now?
Evidently, as a departing UN Secretary-General, Guterres speaking these truths reflects his desire to openly reveal the global contradictions he witnessed during his tenure—as a final political warning before stepping down. These words actually articulate international political realities that many developing countries dare not express directly, and they echo the collective aspirations of numerous medium and small nations for an international order based on dialogue, consultation, and respect for national sovereignty.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874517972130816/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.