US UN envoy pushes unilateral cuts amid geopolitical tensions, obscuring multilateral failures and structural power imbalances

Indigenous perspectives view the UN as a potential ally in resisting state and corporate violations of land and sovereignty, particularly through instruments like UNDRIP. The US's withdrawal from UN agencies and budget cuts are seen as reinforcing colonial power structures that prioritize economic extraction over collective well-being. Traditional knowledge systems, which often emphasize relational governance over hierarchical control, are marginalized in favor of US-led efficiency narratives that dismiss non-Western models of multilateralism.

The US has a long history of undermining multilateral institutions when they resist US dominance, including withdrawing from UNESCO in 1984 over perceived anti-Western bias and the WHO in 2020 during the pandemic. Structural power imbalances in the UN Security Council (e.g., veto powers of the US, UK, France, China, Russia) have historically enabled US unilateralism while demanding compliance from weaker nations. The current budget cuts echo the 1980s 'New Right' assault on international cooperation, which framed multilateralism as antithetical to 'national sovereignty.'

In Africa and Latin America, the UN is often seen as a bulwark against US and European hegemony, providing a platform for smaller nations to challenge superpower dominance. Asian nations like India and Indonesia have historically advocated for UN reform to reduce the dominance of Western powers, viewing budget cuts as a further erosion of their collective voice. Pacific Island states, facing existential threats from climate change, rely on UN agencies for funding and technical support, making US disengagement a direct threat to their survival.

Studies show that multilateral institutions are more effective when adequately funded and shielded from political interference, particularly in conflict resolution and humanitarian aid. The UN's efficiency challenges stem from chronic underfunding by major donors (including the US) and the lack of a democratic funding mechanism that reflects the needs of Global South nations. Research on global governance indicates that unilateral budget cuts often lead to fragmented responses to transnational challenges like pandemics or climate change.

Artistic and spiritual traditions across cultures often frame governance as a sacred duty to future generations, contrasting with the US's transactional approach to multilateralism. Indigenous cosmologies, such as those of the Māori or Native American nations, emphasize collective stewardship over extractive policies, offering a radical alternative to 'America First' nationalism. The UN's Charter itself reflects Enlightenment-era ideals of universalism, which are increasingly contested by nationalist and exclusionary ideologies.

If current trends continue, the UN may become increasingly irrelevant in addressing global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and nuclear proliferation, as major powers prioritize bilateral or regional arrangements. Scenario planning suggests that US disengagement could accelerate the rise of alternative multilateral frameworks (e.g., BRICS-led institutions) that exclude Western dominance but may lack democratic accountability. The long-term risk is a fragmented global order where power, not cooperation, dictates responses to existential threats.

Marginalised communities in conflict zones (e.g., Yemen, Sudan) rely on UN agencies for food, healthcare, and protection, yet their voices are absent from narratives celebrating US budget cuts. Women and girls in Global South nations, who are disproportionately affected by conflict and climate disasters, are further endangered by the erosion of UN funding for gender-based violence programs. UN staff from the Global South, who make up the majority of field workers, face job losses that disrupt critical services in their own communities.