It's Election Time At the UN!

What to expect from Security Council elections this week

This AI generated image almost got it right

By the end of the week, there will be five new members elected to the United Nations Security Council. On Thursday, the General Assembly vote on new members of the UN Security Council to replace countries whose terms are expiring at the end of the year. These elections are a significant event at the United Nations because they shape the composition of the single most important body in the UN system—the only one that can authorize military intervention, impose international sanctions, and approve peacekeeping missions, among other duties.

Here’s How Security Council Elections Work

There are 15 members of the United Nations Security Council. Five of them are permanent: the USA, China, the UK, France, and Russia. These “P-5” countries never leave the council (and, of course, get the veto). But ten other countries rotate in and out of the Council, serving two-year terms. The so-called “E-10” are elected to their seats by a two-thirds majority vote …