The US Mission to the United Nations announced on Sunday that it had secured a major curb in the global organization's budget for 2018 and 2019. Commenting on the announcement, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the cut would end benefits the international community has gained from "American generosity."
Washington "reduced the UN's bloated management and support functions, bolstered support for key US priorities throughout the world, and instilled more discipline and accountability throughout the UN system," reads a statement from the US mission.
According to Haley, "the inefficiency and overspending of the United Nations are well known." Washington will no longer "let the generosity of the American people be taken advantage of or remain unchecked."
"This historic reduction in spending - in addition to many other moves toward a more efficient and accountable UN - is a big step in the right direction," the ambassador asserted.
Comment: With any luck, less U.S. funding will translate into even less U.S. influence. The UN hasn't lived up to its mission for the majority of its existence. It's time for a change, just not necessarily in the direction that former waffle house waitress would like.