President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the UN Human Rights Council and to stop funding the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) is another step that intensifies geopolitical tensions. Why did Washington take this step, how is the international community reacting to it, and what consequences could await global politics?
Why did the USA withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council?
The USA has long accused this organization of bias. In the view of the White House, the Council focuses excessively on Israel, adopting more resolutions against it than against regimes such as Iran, North Korea, or Syria.
This is not the first time the USA has left this institution. In 2018, during Trump’s first term, Washington already departed from the Council, expressing dissatisfaction with its position on the Middle East.
Termination of UNRWA funding: a blow to Palestinian refugees
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) plays a key role in supporting millions of people in the Middle East. The USA was one of the main donors to this organization, and the cessation of funding could have serious consequences for the education, health care, and livelihoods of Palestinian refugees.
Tensions between the USA and Europe are escalating
Lately, the actions of the USA have been increasingly alienating them from allies. For instance, Trump’s statement about territorial claims on Greenland caused a wave of dissatisfaction in Europe, and the withdrawal from international organizations only compounds this trend.
Former allies who once stood together against Russia and China are now more frequently showing discrepancies. This could lead to a significant reshaping of the global order and new geopolitical crises.
What to expect next?
Trump’s decisions indicate the United States’ intention to decrease its involvement in global initiatives and strengthen its policy of isolationism. This may lead to increased instability in international relations and the emergence of new conflict zones.
It is evident that former allies – the USA and Europe – are losing unity. The potential consequences of this and how it will end can only be speculated about. One thing is clear: the world is on the brink of global changes that do not promise peaceful and balanced times.
