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Congress should be vigilant in scrutinizing the U.N. budget to guard against impropriety and waste.

The first step toward U.N. reform is clearing the way for experts from the Procurement Task Force to be hired by the OIOS.

On January 20, 2009, the incoming Administration will confront amultitude of international issues. The primary challenge facing the new Representative of the United States of America to the UnitedNations is a U.N. suffering from confused purposes and competinginterests among member states. In order to determine where the nextU.S. ambassador to the United Nations stands on this and othercrucial issues, the following questions should be put to thenominee during her confirmation hearing on January 15.

The unprecedented pace, scope, and ambition of U.N. peacekeeping operations have led to numerous serious flaws, limitations, and weaknesses that need to be addressed. Peacekeeping assessmentsshould be revised to spread the financial burden more equitablyamong U.N. member states. Without fundamental reform, theseproblems will likely continue and expand, undermining the U.N.'scredibility and ability to maintain international peace andsecurity.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and the largest contributor to the U.N. peacekeeping budget, the United States has extraordinary authority over the approval and parameters of those operations, and a responsibility to ensure that the missions are effective, and that peacekeepers uphold the highest standards of conduct. The unprecedented pace, scope, and ambition of U.N. peacekeeping operations over the past decade have revealed serious flaws, limitations, and weaknesses that need to be addressed.