Security council is the analogue of 'military department' but US and UK wanted it to fulfil the role of 'police department'. That's a different issue, why not admit it before suggesting voting and flowed shaming UN and members of council?

Alexey L.N., Novosibirsk, Russia

"a league of democracies" - We already have. It's a condition of membership in the EU. The obvious question is why the EU doesn't point the finger of scorn at the dictators - like those that have oil, gas, sweat shops and everything else we need to prop up our economy. Anyone guesses?

KR, Stockport,

In the current climate neither could looming 'league of democracies' fulfil the role of UN, nor could world at whole totally agree to be morally judged by such a league. One tenth of the world might have to crawl through some process at first to become authoritative in matters of right and wrong.

Alexey L.N., Novosibirsk, Russia

We in the UK are ruled by a party whos leader is unelected and has not faced the country to win a mandate as primeminister.Tony blair waselected primeminister not Gordon brown.We in England are ruled by members of the government who have no say in how their own country is run (Scotland). Democracy?

E Dack, Southampton, England

The United Nations is a corrupt, pointless monstrosity. It was created in order to stop war, in that it fails miserably, yet increasingly it binds every nation in the world to treaty after treaty that deal with internal moral matters that should be left to each sovereign state to decide upon.

Bruno, London,

I agree with Elliott, to return the debate to the relevant issue. Having veto holding member states is the problem here, countries will always act in their own best interests, it suits both Russia and China more to maintain Mugabe. In any open court that would constitute a conflict of interest..

Jay, London, UK

First of all, 'paul, notts, uk'....grow up! Brown is an MP so clearly he was elected!

On-topic, I'm now firmly in favour of the suggested 'League of Democracies' (albeit with another name). This group would be of the richest and most powerful nations and would not be held back by corrupt regimes.

Steve H, The Hague, Netherlands

I have in the past been a supporter of the UN - but it is not a posiiton I can place any integrity in anymore.

I am coming to the view that a League of Democracies with rules for membership and for suspension is the way forward if multi-lateralism is to survive.

danny, London,

How sanctimonous! Hamas IS the democratically elected party in power of the Occupied Territories and the inhabitants of the Chagos Islands had no choice when kicked off their island to make way for a US/UK base from which to bomb nonclient states (Iraq for example and Iran possibly) of the UK/US.

Vivien, Toronto,

Oh dear. Another on-line forum turns into a "debate" on Israel, when that was merely a side point in the article.

The point is that the UN thinks of itself as an independant arbiter working for "good". It actually merely represents the interests of the most vocal. Useless in Rwanda, now in Zim.

Elliot, Elstree, UK

funny how there is no call for banning the UNSC veto... the main obstacle to TRUE DEMOCRACY & political accountability.

Costa, Limassol , Cyprus

David of Wales - Ilan Pappe was hounded out of Israel for poor research -- you would be foolish to believe all he says.

John Taylor - Arabs in Israel can vote & have equal access to services unlike Blacks in apartheid-era RSA. Yes, Israel really is a democracy. Your comparison is poor.

C Bozner, London,

Gerard and Co. The question is not whether Israels "democracy" is better than Arab totalitarianism, clearly thats ridiculous. It is debating what constitutes a true democracy for McCains League of Democracies. For example Zimbabwe just held elections.... does that mean they qualify?!

Get a grip!

garth, Australia,

It has long been profisised that the UN would fail us all ( Look out when the world leaders start to cry!) but do we have any more faith in European deligations or envoys such as Blair. The whole continant of Africa should be resolving the Zimbabwe issue with diplomacy & economic sanctions.

Dave Farmer, Broxbourne, England

The UN should get rid of the veto. Unfortunately, this isn't going to happen, as the decision would be vetoed. The UN will never work whilst this un-democratic spanner in the works veto exists.

E J Murray, Kerry, Ireland

Being praised by the UN looks more and more like a kiss of death while being condemned by it looks more and more like a badge of honor.

Conil, Pau, France

Who are we to point fingers about inconsistency? We call it a genocide and a tyrany and then allow its victims to fall down dead amoung us unable to work. I hope a British person never needs justice because, UN and EU aside, we can't deliver it via our own government so why would/should anyone else

Stacy, London, UK

And Jay from London, "greater Freedom of speech"? maybe you should try putting that suggestion to Ilan Pappe one of my university lecturers for next year who has been hounded out of Israel for saying that Israel mistreats and oppresses the Palestinians.

David, Cwmbran, U.K. Wales

Stephen Pollard, I'm afraid you're too focused on Zimbabwe issue.

That really was a dumb thing for Russian foreign office to veto the resolution, but the relation of the move with Condi's AMD-NATO voyage is obvious. Just change US "mediator" to more nuetral European and the world will turn better

Andrei, Novosibirsk, Russia

A democracy eh?
Well that counts Britain out then with unelected Brown and laws from unelected Europe

paul, notts, uk

Apartheid era South Africa was also a democracy but majority of the population were disenfranchised. The same can be said for Israel as well where a large portion of the population do not have similar rights as others. So, without getting into semantics, is that really a democracy ?

John Taylor, London,

Garth, your comparison is laughable. Jews are not a minority in Israel and are not lording it over the arab majority. The Jews are the majority. The situation is different to South Africa. Why don't you see whether you can find any Arab or Muslim democracies, and look at their human rights records.

Gerard, London, UK

It was naive even of this government to expect support from Russia and China, both of which employ the same methods as Mugabe albeit more successfully. But then Brown initiatives seem doomed to disaster from the start.

Simon Marshland, Bath, UK

I wonder what the rabid anti-Israel posters think that Arab MPs are doing in the Knesset? Arabs fare far better in Israel than non-Muslims do in Arab countirles. Just ask the Egyptian Copts. And it also seems to me that they are using their hatred of Israel to hide their acceptance of Mugabe.

Craig, Liverpool, UK

Yes it is time to reinvent the UN. The planet needs a legitimate and powerful body which in no part is anything like the ineffective useless UN of today. It must have the power to intercede in any countries affairs. It must also be the gaurdian of the environment.

Jim Wills, Brisbane, Australia

Alex, Jay - In a true democracy EVERYONE living within the country's borders enjoys his freedoms, rights and VOTE regardless of race or religion. Can assure me that this is the case in Israel?

At best it is ethnocentric apartheid no better than the white South Africa we all pilloried. Discuss;

Garth, Australia,

Isr isnt a democracy.Does not extend the same rights to 20% of its Arab citizens(property,social services,cultural).Has a policy of pro jewish immigration.illegally occupies Wst Bank,Gaza & Jr'slm.No bill questioning the Jewish character of Isr is even legally allowed to go b4 the knesset Jay.

Manolis, Dublin, Ireland

It is a long time since the UN had any practical relevance to the good of the world.

Faustino, Brisbane, Australia

Yes, Garth in Australia, Russia and Zimbabwe are democracies and Israel is not. And the earth is flat.

Alex, Ottawa,

Sorry to upset Garth but Israel is a democracy, it have elected officials and representatives of the population that have possibly greater freedom of speech than any other nation. Elected Arab officials often suggest a bill that calls for the destruction of the state, this would be treason elsewhere

Jay, London, UK

The UN security council a group of warlords that create policies in their own self-interests. The US and Britian want to save democracy in Zimbabwehave but no problem with Musharrif in Pakistan stealing an election and locking up judges and lawyers. Nigeria too. No government is to be trusted.

John, Chicago,

Well, the UN bent its own brand new rules on 'self-determination' so disgracefully in 1947 and it's not looked back since.

If McCain thinks that a selected group of so-called democracies could cloak itself in its fig-leaf to invade whatever resource rich it wishes it comes down to might is right.

Damian , Brighton, UK

Yes maybe a league of democracies... but who is to decide what constitutes a democracy.

For example Mr Pollards unbalanced comment on Israel would suggest that he would welcome them to the club when they technically aren't a democracy and would he consider Russia or even Zimbabwe democratic?

Garth, Australia,