The United Nations under U Thant, 1961-1971

Thant's ten years as secretary-general witnessed a series of new peacekeeping missions in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and the establishment of institutional structures for the discussions of North-South economic issues. But fiscal crisis brought near paralysis; the United States became increasingly alienated from the organization over the existing policies in Vietnam; and the Arab-Israeli War demonstrated the UN's inability to prevent crisis from escalating into war. By the end of Thant's second term, the position of secretary-general was more secure but far weaker than it was ten years before.

Bernard J. Firestone is dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a professor of political science at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York