United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, and it acts as the Executive Branch of the UN and has all the hard power and the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the UN Charter, include establishing peacekeeping operations, authorizing military action, and imposing international sanctions. Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Council may identify threats to international peace, determine breaches of that peace, and authorize responses up to and including the use of force. It is the only UN body with the authority to adopt binding international law by issuing resolutions binding on all member states. The Council also recommends the admission of new member states to the UN General Assembly, and approves changes to the Charter.