America's inability to convince the UN Security Council to endorse military action against the regime of Saddam Hussein marked a watershed in U.S. relations with the world body. To some, it signaled the Security Council's flight from responsibility; to others, America's disdain for international opinion.

Beyond Iraq lie deep questions about unilateralism and multilateralism, law and power, and the relation of the United Nations to American interests. Various aspects of UN work will be examined this year in a series of panel discussions at AEI moderated by Joshua Muravchik, who is writing a book about the United Nations. Upcoming panels will look at UN efforts at peacekeeping, human rights, and arms control, as well as the UN's special treatment of Israel and the culture of Turtle Bay.

To launch the series, three distinguished public figures will share their assessments of the UN's record and prospects.