Martin Hutchinson provides a useful history of the UN, and an explanation of why it was a mistake for the Administration to think that it would help to go there before removing Saddam. I disagree with his headline, though. The disaster was mitigated by the fact that the uselessness of the UN as an institution, at least for collective security, is now abundantly clear.

I take a contrary position. You may find it worth reading.

The article is entitled U.N. Games.

It's a bit Den Beste-ish, but I think I make my case fairly well.