Sir: The recent missile strikes by USA, UK and France without the approval of UN, on a sovereign country, over disputed claims of a chemical attack, right before the chemical monitors were due, actually renders the UN irrelevant. Although this is not the first time that a richer and a bigger country has acted on its own against a poorer & a weaker country, however, it is worth noting that this time the chances of a full-fledged regional conflagration are much higher due to the many countries already involved in the complex Syrian conflict. Furthermore, the close proximity of Israel (arch-enemy of Syria, Iran and Hezbollah) cannot be ignored especially when tensions are running high on the Lebanese-Israeli border, a war is raging in Yemen & multiple countries’ militaries are present in Iraq. Any misunderstanding or a minor miscalculation can result in a devastating scenario for the region. The world community must act together through the UN to condemn US, UK and France for unilaterally endangering the lives of so many women, children & other civilians in regional countries by taking this aggressive action without UN mandate, which could have disastrous consequences & can destroy the future livelihoods of millions of innocent people. If the UN fails to act yet again, it will render it irrelevant and its inaction will allow imperialist countries to continue to set such criminal precedents & attack sovereign nations with impunity. MIRZA MUHAMMAD ALI HOSSAIN Karachi Published in Daily Times, April 16th 2018.