Trump's Hard-Nosed Executive Order Asks What U.N. Money is Going For-and is It Worth It?

"The Trump Administration intends to take a hard-nosed approach to one of the frustrating mysteries left behind by the Obama Administration: Just exactly how much money does the U.S. give to the United Nations, what is the money going for-and is it worth it?

The Administration's tough strategy is specifically aimed at reducing, rather than eliminating, U.S. support for the world organization and will not affect, at least in the short term, Washington's current dues-paying commitment to pay 22 per cent of the U.N.'s so-called 'regular' budget ($5.6 billion for 2016-2017) and 28.5 percent of its peacekeeping obligations ($7.9 billion) this year.

But at the same time, the intent is clearly to hold the U.N.'s feet close to the fire on its value to U.S. goals and interests, as well as take special aim at organizations that offer full membership to the Palestinian Authority or the Palestinian Liberation Organization, or are heavily influenced by states that sponsor or support terrorism and/or systematically violate human rights..."