Ideas

Will the Israeli-Iranian Showdown Be in Syria — or New York?

Iran's various rivals and opponents are seeking a UN resolution that would return Tehran to pariah status and undermine its regional gains.

Threats

In Fiery UN Speech, Trump Delivers The Far-Right Goods

The black-helicopter crowd, and the president’s base, should love this Bannon-esque, undiplomatic speech, filled with ‘America First,’ ‘radical Islamic extremism,’ and cries for sovereignty over collective security.

Threats

'We Do Not Have Long to Act': Tech Heads Warn UN About Autonomous Arms

SpaceX head Elon Musk and other industry leaders write that autonomy will lead to wider and faster war.

Science & Tech

Risk of 'Accidental' Nuclear War Growing, UN Research Group Says

The warning comes as the Pentagon begins an extensive review of its nuclear arsenal.

Threats

UN Report Alleges Syrian War Crimes in Aleppo, Rebutting Russian Denials

The document backs up open-source and think-tank reporting on the Assad regime’s use of chlorine gas.

Science & Tech

The US Does An About-Face on New Cyber Norms

The US delegate now says a UN cybersecurity group should pause hashing out new rules for online behavior and instead try to get governments to adhere to the ones we have.

Ideas

5 Things to Know Before the US Reduces Its Role at the UN

Trump’s hyper-nationalist, 'America First' agenda will play well with his populist base. But it signals a reckless abdication of U.S. global leadership.

Ideas

Progress or Oppression—You Decide, Obama Tells the UN in His Final Address

From mass migration to North Korea’s nukes, Obama’s lofty speech contained little guidance about how to resolve the world’s intractable problems.

Ideas

How Mistakes and Mission Creep Are Shaping Libya’s Future

Lost in the din of developments at the UN this week is a British report on the ‘failed’ intervention that has turned the country into an 'unmitigated disaster.'

Ideas

North Korea Is Not Afraid of the International Community

With sanctions having no effect, few options remain short of regime change and acquiescence to Pyongyang as a permanent nuclear power.

Ideas

The United Nations: What's the Point?

It's not clear the organization can effectively confront—or even survive—today's challenges.

Ideas

Here's Why the UN Sat on Its Hands During 5 Years of War in Syria

The 'great power' origins and recent deadly failings of the power of veto inside the U.N. Security Council.

Threats

The 'Staggering' Civilian Costs of Iraq's Fight Against ISIS

The UN estimates that at least 18,000 Iraqis have been killed since the start of 2014, a number it warns might be too low.

Ideas

The United Nations Must Clamp Down on ISIS Oil Profits

With little power to stop Islamic State administrators from taxing subjugated populations, the world community must focus on limiting petrochemical revenues.

Ideas

The US Military Just Lost Its Carbon Exemption, But Don't Expect Big Changes Soon

Under the Paris climate agreement, countries are no longer exempted from cutting military emissions. Here's how that figures into U.S. plans, which are not set to begin for many years.

Ideas

UN Peacekeeping Needs a Major Technological Update

The blue-helmeted troops often find themselves with far inferior gear than local fighters and even police.

Ideas

The Rules of Cyberspace Just Got A Bit Clearer

The UN's new recommendations guiding state activity in cyberspace break new ground in three important areas.

Policy

What the UN Can Do To Fix Its Peacekeeping Mission

UN peacekeeping missions are 'not suited to engage in military counterterror operations,' according to the first independent report on UN peacekeeping operations since 2000.

Policy

Kerry Defends UN Vote on Iran Deal, Says Bought Congress Time

Members of Congress wanted a vote on the Iran agreement before the U.N. had its say, but the Obama administration says it fought and won them a 90-day window.