OK, Bobert, Powell forced Bush to go to the UN. Shame there was no one in Clinton's administration that talked him into going before them for the major issues during his tenure. I think at least as highly of the UN as Clinton did. He didn't think it was important in his wars and it did nothing in Rwanda. It was irrelevant long before this Bush came to office.

Therefore, I don't think the UN is Bush's salvation. I don't think the permanent members of the Security Council will ever take a risk on anything. They'll do something only if it doesn't cost them anything or if it doesn't interfere with their national interests. Otherwise they'll styme any initiative as they always have. Look back at their actions and tell me different. Show me examples that contradict this assessment if you can.