3) USA Influence

• Factor 1 - UN Security Council (Veto)

  P - USA is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council

  E - Group of 15 countries, 5 permanent / 10 non-permanent. Permanent member has power of Veto. If US votes no on resolution stops any action on any measure of amendment. US used veto the most to block issues it regards as dentrimental to national interests

  E - 2023 Russia proposed amendment to call immediate cease-fire in israel-gaza crisis - US vetoed. Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated “this resolution did not mention Israel’s right to self-defence”

  A - America able to use its seat on UNSC to push own agenda. Achieved through proposing resolutions and blocking resolution not in their national interest
• Factor 1 (Rebuttal) - UN Security Council (Veto)

  P - US not the only country with power of veto.

  E - Body’s member also include China, France, Russia and UK. “no” vote from any permanent member of council stops any action of amendment put before it. US often supports resolutions which are vetoed by other permanent members.

  E - 2023 US-led draft resolution of Gaza crisis failed to pass owing to negative vote by China and Russia

  A - US does not always appear to get its way and reminds us there are other world powers
• Factor 2 - Military

  P - USA is the most powerful military in the world.

  E - US historically doubted larger share of economy to defensive than many key allies owing to huge amount it spends on military. Puts US in commanding position internationally. Known as “World’s Policeman” in terms of troops spending and technology. Having such large sophisticated army means US has lots of influence over other countries - power and weaponary decisive in battle

  E - 2024 had military budget of $842bn more than China, Russia, UK, Germany, France combined

  A - US arguably only military superpower in the world - huge influence as other countries aware of it’s military prowess. US had military strategic interests all over world.
• Factor 2 (Rebuttal) - Military

  P - Military power of USA not limitless

  E - Althought US one of only countries to possess nuclear weapons and despite US having thousands of nuclear war needs and some of most sophisticated weaponary on planet - Emerging threats from growing superpowers

  E - 2022 Russia possess more nuclear weapons than US (5978 - 5482) China plans to build 4 nuclear powered aircraft’s by 2035

  A - US is being challenged by other superpowers - scaled down military influence by pulling army out of Afghanistan after a decade