maintenance of international peace and security it has 5 permanent members china france the russian federation the united kingdom and the united states the general assembly elects 10 nonpermanent members for 2 year terms. however the permanent members of veto powers enabling them to prevent the adoption of a draft council resolution regardless of the international support it may have but does that make the 5 permanent members of the security council more powerful than the un's 188 other member states the way the criticism that is is regularly leveled at the un is that it's being held to ransom onus was hijacked if you like certainly by the permanent 5 the p 5 members of the security council the americans are a perfect example but the wilting of a veto incapacitates the security council from carrying out a function just on the basis of one nation's well yes i think that's a very legitimate question and it addresses and reinforces the view concern and how come be considered in a court and in a consistent position for any 5 to hold until you agree it's anachronistic the point i'm trying to make but then this is a d