The Gulf War of 1990-1991, triggered by Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait highlighted several challenges faced by the United Nations in maintaining global peace and security. Despite diplomatic efforts, the U.N. was unable to prevent Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The invasion occurred despite the presence of international norms and resolutions aimed at maintaining peace and security. While the U.N. Security Council did pass resolutions condemning the invasion and imposing sanctions, the enforcement of these resolutions required intervention by a coalition led by the United States. The U.N. lacked the means to directly enforce its decisions without the support of member states.

The Cold War context and the interests of major powers often influence U.N. decisions. During the Gulf War, the strategic interests of the U.S. and its allies played a significant role in shaping the response, rather than solely the U.N.'s objectives. Also, The U.N.'s role in the Gulf War was primarily focused on immediate conflict resolution and did not address the underlying issues that could lead to lasting peace. The conflict was resolved through military intervention and temporary measures rather than long-term solutions for regional stability.

Despite the resolution of the Gulf War, the region continued to experience instability and conflict. This ongoing unrest illustrates the difficulty the U.N. faces in achieving and maintaining permanent world peace.