It is always worth listening to the voices of elected members of the UN Security Council. Jassim Buallay's book gives a Bahraini perspective on its workings, and it makes sobering reading for the privileged Permanent Members. In a world where soft power has an increasingly greater impact, the P5 should be calculating how much they may be losing from the way they attempt to further their own interests in this body. His plea for a more urgent approach to reform should be heard while the UN still retains some relevance for international peace.

Ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations

Ambassador Buallay's fine book appears at a very opportune moment of history. At a time when war in Ukraine has posed a fundamental challenge to the post-World War Il order and the pandemic has exposed the short-comings of existing mechanisms of international cooperation, it is more important than ever before to insist - as he does - on the vital and irreplaceable role of the United Nations and its related institutions. That they are imperfect is an argument for reform not for disregarding them. Ambassador Buallay brings the experience of a lifetime in diplomacy to the vital question of how international life is to be better organized for the benefit of all. His real theme is no less than mankind's future. This book should be read by all who aspire to leadership.

Ambassador Bilahari Kausikan, Former Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations and former Director of the Middle East Institute in Singapore