REFORMING THE UNITED-NATIONS

People need an international system for security of many kinds. But th e United Nations today is precariously funded, stretched thin by an un precedented number of peacekeeping missions, and generally underequipp ed to deal with the rising demand for its services. Reform is necessar y for the middle-aged organization. States touchy about sovereignty an d interest groups pushing their agendas must sink their differences an d work out a plan to revitalize the world body. They might consider gi ving it an independent source of income and some standing troops for e nforcement power.