- Lack of Enforcement Mechanism: The UN lacked the authority to enforce its resolutions, which limited its ability to compel Egypt to withdraw from the Suez Canal or other countries to cease their support for Egypt.
- Superpower Divisions: The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union hindered collective action within the UN. Both superpowers had competing interests in the region and were unwilling to risk open conflict by forcefully opposing each other.
- Limited Resources and Response: The UN was unprepared for a crisis of this magnitude and did not have the necessary troops or resources to intervene militarily. The organization's peacekeeping forces arrived in the region after the fighting had largely concluded, and their presence did not significantly influence the outcome.
- Absence of a Unified International Stance: The international community was divided on how to respond to the crisis. Some countries, such as France and the United Kingdom, were strongly opposed to Egypt's actions, while others, such as India, were more sympathetic. This lack of consensus prevented the UN from taking decisive action.
- Diplomatic Failure: The UN failed to effectively mediate a diplomatic solution between Egypt and the other parties involved in the conflict. Efforts to negotiate a compromise were unsuccessful, and the situation deteriorated to the point of military conflict.
Overall, the UN's inability to effectively resolve the Suez Crisis highlighted its limitations in addressing international conflicts involving major powers and their geopolitical interests.
