United Nations Security Council
The Security Council consists of fifteen members. The great powers that were the victors of World War II—the Soviet Union (now represented by Russia), the United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States—serve as the body's five permanent members. These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General. The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms. The body's presidency rotates monthly among its members.
Military Staff Committee
The MSC consists of army, naval and air force representatives from the Security Council's five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK and the U.S.) who meet every 14 days at the headquarters building of the UN in New York City. Additional United Nation members are included in meetings regarding peacekeeping operations in which their country's forces are deployed.