United Nations Security Council

Annual Military Training

   To improve their overall effectiveness, the five primary members of the Security Council should conduct military exercises with each other on an annual basis. This will encourage greater cooperation and improve their handling of international matters together.

Demerit System

   All Security Council members are expected to maintain a higher level of standard than other nations due to their stature and representation of international matters. However, there may be a number of situations where a particular member may behave in an unethical or unorthodox manner due to various reasons (e.g., overly strict handling of a domestic concern, choosing economic growth over pollution control, conducting a military strike on an otherwise modest situation, etc.).

   To prevent such unfavorable conduct, a demerit system should be imposed upon the Security Council to ensure that higher standards are being met at all times. Examples of earning a demerit are: dereliction of duty (not participating in an approved measure), human rights violations (both domestic and international), failure to uphold certain ideals (unfair trade practices), participating in unnecessary military conflicts (Russia/Ukraine, America/Iran, UK/Falklands, France/Libya, China/Taiwan), etc.

   If a particular member earns enough demerits that surpasses a certain threshold then that nation may be temporarily dismissed until they are able to reestablish themselves once again. If they fail to do so in a reasonable time then the dismissal will be final and they will be replaced by another that is willing to assume their duties.

   It is important for the international community to establish a demerit system to ensure that the world doesn't have a dysfunctional or uncooperative Security Council. Being a member on the Security Council is a privilege that carries essential duties and responsibilities for the international community that should be taken seriously. Since the conduct of nations may change over the years due to various reasons (some better, others worse), the United Nations charter should be updated to adopt a demerit system to rectify situations and to remove the concept of permanent members on the Security Council.

Nuclear Weapons Restriction

   The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was established to prevent the possibility of nuclear war between nations. However, the agreement as it exists today is not restrictive enough to prevent future conflicts since a nation may simply withdraw to develop nuclear weapons making the accord ineffective.

   Since the treaty started, both India and Pakistan developed nuclear weapons as well as North Korea, Israel, South Africa, and possibly Iran. The treaty, whether nations were willing to sign for it or not, has failed to discourage the development of nuclear weapons which places the entire world at risk.

   It may be better if the international community considers a tougher stance on the matter and imposes a more restrictive policy that only the five primary members of the Security Council may possess nuclear weapons. Other nations may complain in that it would leave them at a distinct disadvantage, however, there are other means of developing an advanced military than the use of nuclear weapons (e.g., stealth technology, laser weapons, robotics, space-based delivery systems, etc.).

   The reason why only the five primary members of the Security Council should be allowed to have nuclear weapons is due to their duties and responsibilities for resolving international matters. For example, a nuclear detonation may be necessary to destroy an underground/underwater/space-based facility that conventional weapons wouldn't suffice.

   So, regardless if the new measure is popular or not, something else needs to be done other than relying on the current treaty as it exists today since it has shown to be ineffective in preventing the development of nuclear weapons in the world.