As the refugee crisis has escalated, the United Nations has become increasingly out of step with aspects of Europe�s policy response. The self-perception of the EU as a liberal and inclusive Union of states is deeply challenged by the massive immigration and growing blimpish nationalism, while, at the same time, the UN unapologetically points at the obligations resulting from international law. The conflict between normative principles on the one hand and a pragmatist approach on the other partly results from the identity crisis the UN is currently facing: Can the UN be the guardian of the international order and at the same time serve as vehicle for the WestŽs international security policy? Is the influence of the UN today limited to poorer countries or does it (still) have the necessary authority to broker solutions at a global level?