France considers itself an "agent" of the United Nations where necessary, but often works behind the scenes to influence U.N. decisions.

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In Honduras, "Rodriguez has long led the pack in terms of moral authority and social influence, " Allen wrote i n a profile ahead of the papal election, or conclave.

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But other world leaders, like Chavez and Iran's President President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, used the U.N. podium to challenge America's influence in the world.

NPR: Chavez Calls Bush 'Devil,' Assails U.S. Policies

Like the lightly-armed Dutch contingent of U.N. peacekeepers in Srebrenica, brushed aside by Bosnian Serb forces commanded by General Ratko Mladic, the 300 U.N. monitors in Syria have no power to influence events -- just to observe and report them.

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