un as fortified island

When the United Nations began its search for a site to house its Headquarters, the first Secretary General Trygve Lie stated “We are searching for the center of the world” (Dudley 16). In the immediate postwar period, this was Manhattan: the definitively modern city. The  Rockefeller's kindly donated a portion of Manhattan for the worldly cause, an act sanctioned by the nation. During this exchange, the piece of land transformed from American soil to an international territory. The choice of site was influenced by American postwar dominance following their role in World War II, where the United States emerged as a superpower. The other major superpower, Russia sanctioned this decision believing that having the United Nations in the United States would help them to indirectly control the new superpower.

After sixty years in this location, the United Nations needs to consider the security threats resulting from its longtime association, with the United States.

Following numerous failed proposals to renovate the original building in an attempt to increase security, the United Nations made the difficult decision to dislocate its international territory from Manhattan.  As the territory floated down the East River, towards the high seas, delegates congratulated themselves on a decision well-made. As an island, an ideal model of fortification, the UN will be better able to defend itself.

Reference: George Dudley, A Workshop for Peace, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1994.