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.
Policy
The Tiny, Cash-Strapped Agency at the Heart of the Iran Deal
Enforcing the agreement is the job of the IAEA, an organization that has a budget the size of San Diego's police department.
Policy
The UN Still Can't Stop Genocide
A failure to recognize the 1995 massacre at Srebenica as genocide sent the world body decades into the past.
Ideas
UN's Purpose Questioned in a 'Post-Nation' World
At the UN Charter's 70th anniversary, some ambassadors question its purpose in a world of empowered and agile non-state actors.
Policy
Two Ways the United Nations Could Improve Cybersecurity Policy This Week
It will come down to sticking with an unsatisfactory status quo or coming up with something new.
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