An essential addition to the Basic Documents of World Politics series, this volume presents the full text of the United Nations Charter and the Statute of the International Court of Justice, as well as other related historic documents and essays on the Charter and its legacy. Knowledgeable commentary by distinguished authorities, including former high-level U.N. officials, examines the early and ongoing roles of the United Nations in responding to contemporary international crises while addressing such issues as the challenges posed to the Charter's provisions in the post-September 11 world. A concise and accessible introduction to the U.N. for students, this collection also offers important new scholarship relevant for expert audiences.