UAE and Iran's Island War

Why the UN Still Fails at Solving Island Disputes?

Introduction

The United Nations has played a significant role in solving island disputes around the world. In 1974, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution proclaiming the right of all people to self-determination, which was key in resolving the dispute between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands. The UN has also been involved in mediating disputes between Thailand and Cambodia over the ownership of the Preah Vihear temple, and between Malaysia and Singapore over Pedra Branca Island (Chesterman, 2015). In each of these cases, the UN was able to bring the parties together and facilitate a peaceful resolution. The organization\'s successes in resolving island disputes underscore its importance as a global peacekeeping body.

The expansion of the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) role in island disputes has been a contentious issue since the founding of the UN. The UNSC is mandated to maintain international peace and security, and over the years it has become increasingly involved in island disputes. In some cases, such as the Falkland Islands dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom, the UNSC has been able to broker a peaceful resolution. In others, such as the Senkaku Islands dispute between China and Japan, the UNSC has been unable to reach a consensus and the dispute continues.

There are a number of methods and means of solving island disputes through the UNSC. One is mediation, which is when an impartial third party helps the parties to reach a mutually-agreeable solution. Another is arbitration, which is when a panel of experts makes a binding decision on the dispute. A third option is adjudication, which is when a court or tribunal renders a legally-binding decision on the dispute. Finally, there is negotiation, which is when the parties to the dispute negotiate directly with each other to try to reach a solution.

The UNSC has used all of these methods at various times, with varying degrees of success. In some cases, such as mediation, the UNSC has been successful in helping the parties to reach a mutually-agreeable solution. In others, such as arbitration, the UNSC has been unable to reach a consensus and the dispute continues. Ultimately, each case must be evaluated on its own merits in order to determine which method or combination of methods is most likely to lead to a successful outcome.

The role the UN plays today was foretold by the League of Nations beginning in 1920. The League achieved some success in solving international disputes, notably the Aaland Islands dispute in 1921 and the Corfu incident in 1923 (Tosi, 2017). The UN has a similar mandate to the League of Nations, namely to maintain world peace and promote international cooperation. It too has had some successes, such as settling the Suez Crisis in 1956 and the Falklands War in 1982. The UN is currently working with the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to resolve conflicts that continue today (De Waal, 2021).

Still, there are many reasons why these disputes continue, including the fact that most of the islands in question are located in strategic waterways. This means that controlling these islands gives a country an important military advantage. In addition, many of the islands are rich in natural resources, which makes them valuable for both economic and political reasons. As a result, countries are often unwilling to compromise when it comes to island disputes. The UN has tried to mediate these disputes on several occasions, but without success. Ultimately, the UN\'s inability to resolve island disputes is due to the fact that countries are simply too invested in maintaining control over these pieces of land.

Moreover, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea has been used to settle island disputes in the past. The Convention could be said to provide a comprehensive legal framework for managing maritime disputes, and it has been successfully used in a number of island disputes, as, for example, in 2012, when the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was used to resolve a dispute between Malaysia and Singapore over Pedra Branca Island.

UAE Island Dispute with Iran

The archipelago of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs have been the subject of a territorial dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates since 1971. The islands are located in the southern Persian Gulf, near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran currently occupies all three islands, but the UAE claims sovereignty over Abu Musa and the Greater Tunb. The issue came to a head in 1992, when Iran refused to renew a lease that had allowed the UAE to operate a naval base on Abu Musa (Al Roken, 2001). The UAE responded by severing diplomatic relations with Iran and taking its case to the International Court of Justice. In 2003, the ICJ ruled that Iran had sovereignty over Abu Musa, but that it must allow the UAE access to the island for “humanitarian” purposes (Budari & Ricart, 2018). The UAE has rejected the ruling and continues to assert its claim to the islands. In 2007, tensions between the two countries again flared when Iran began construction of a causeway connecting Abu Musa to mainland Iran. The UAE condemned the move as an illegal land grab and called on Iran to cease work on the causeway. However, construction has continued, and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inaugurated the completed causeway in April 2008. The dispute over the islands remains unresolved, and it continues to be a source of tension between Iran and the UAE.

Japan Island Dispute with Russia

One of the most well-known examples of Japan island dispute with Russia is the ongoing disagreement over the ownership of the Southern Kuril Islands. The Kuril Islands, also known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, have been a source of dispute between the two countries for many years. The islands, which are located in the northern Pacific Ocean, are currently under Russian control but are claimed by Japan. Both countries have made efforts to assert their sovereignty over the islands, including military buildups and economic development projects. In spite of the role the UN plays, no progress has been made in resolving the territorial dispute. As a result, the Kuril Islands continue to be a source of tensions between Russia and Japan (Hara, 2019). The dispute dates back to when the Soviet Union took control of the islands at the end of World War II, and although Japan has never recognized Russian sovereignty over them.

How to Conduct Research on Why the UN Fails to Resolve Island Disputes

Island disputes are a contentious issue the UN has grappled with for years. There are various explanations as to why the UN has failed to resolve these disputes. One way to research this topic further would be to study specific island disputes and analyze the different factors involved. Another approach would be to examine the UN\'s procedures for resolving island disputes and identify any areas that could be improved. Yet another would be to conduct qualitative research of how the UN’s approach affects ordinary people who live in disputed territories.

Island disputes are a long-standing issue for the UN. Health, environmental, and sovereignty concerns are at stake when these disputes arise, and they can be difficult to resolve. This is due in part to the fact that there is no clear method for how these disputes should be handled. Often, the UN is reliant on the goodwill of the parties involved to resolve the issue. However, this can be difficult to achieve when there are multiple stakeholders with different interests at play. Another challenge is that many island disputes take place in remote locations, making it difficult for UN officials to access and monitor the situation. Finally, the UN often lacks the resources and manpower needed to effectively resolve island disputes. As a result, these disputes often remain unresolved, causing significant harm to the people and environment involved.

Thus, there are three primary ways that research into why the UN fails to resolve island disputes can be conducted. The first is by examining past cases of island disputes that have been brought before the UN. This can provide insight into why some disputes were resolved while others were not. The second research method is by interviewing UN officials who have worked on island dispute cases. This can provide first-hand information on the challenges and obstacles that UN officials face when trying to resolve these disputes. Finally, surveys can be conducted with local residents who have been affected by island disputes. This research method can provide insight into how these conflicts impact ordinary people and what role the UN plays in their lives.