Peter Beinart

In the following viewpoint, Peter Beinart asserts that United Nations’ attempts at providing aid to Third World nations are ineffective and create further problems. According to Beinart, the U.N. is too slow to act in famine- stricken and war-torn nations, and its delay results in numerous lost lives. Beinart also contends that the organization fails to confront the murderous governments that control many developing nations, particularly in Africa. He maintains that nongovernmental organizations, including the Red Cross, are better able to provide food aid in Ethiopia and Somalia. Beinart is an editor at the New Republic.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In Beinart’s opinion, why do Third World leaders praise the U.N.?
2. How many Somalians did the Red Cross feed...