Sadly, you're right. The world is divided into several different geo-political spheres, with the bigger ones (Russia, China, India, EU + US as the unquestionable #1) doing as they please. The UN is used as a tool for their own interests and their goverments political agenda.
What buggers me though, is the hypocrisy of the US claiming to be the shining lighthouse of freedom and equality, but they still use the same tactics as those with less democratic goverments. Either you be cynical, realistic a**hole like the rest, or try doing some good(almost impossible).