The UN at 75

Flawed Diplomacy in Libya

February 11, 2018 / Winter 2018

For years, many actors have tried to mediate peace efforts for the Libyan crisis, but instead of an end to hostilities, conflicts remain.

Acts of Annihilation

By Sareta Ashraph

January 10, 2017 / Winter 2017

Perceptions of the Islamic State’s attack on the Yazidis focus on the enslavement of women and girls, but the barbarous gender-based assaults on women as well as men are an integral part of the group’s campaign of genocide to eradicate a religious minority.

The Elusive International Order

By Scott MacLeod

June 28, 2016 / Spring 2016

Danilo Türk, a former president of the Republic of Slovenia, is Slovenia’s candidate to become secretary-general of the United Nations, discusses the UN’s failures, the influence of great powers, and the crises in Europe.

Time for a Sensible International Effort on Israel-Palestine

By Rami G. Khouri

March 14, 2016

An American-Russian-French-European peace initiative, with the active participation of the moribund Arab League and expressions of support from Iran, Turkey, and other key players, is achievable and worth attempting.

A Terrifying Film That We Created, and Can End

By Rami G. Khouri

March 2, 2016

Jordanian Prince Zeid’s powerful cry for the countries of the world to work more seriously to implement existing mechanisms to protect all people from abuse and danger included three important elements.

Finally, a Sensible—but Difficult—Path to Reduce Terrorism

By Rami G. Khouri

January 20, 2016

The main difference between the US and UN approaches is that the UN correctly focuses on addressing the underlying drivers of violent extremism and terrorism, while the US government tends to downplay or ignore those critical underlying causes.

Rule of Terror

By Carla Del Ponte and Karen Koning AbuZayd and Paulo Pinheiro and Vitit Muntarbhorn

October 11, 2015 / Fall 2015

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) proclaimed a caliphate in 2014. An in-depth report on how its militants are using severe brutality and radical interpretations of sharia law to govern a large civilian population.

Archives Diplomatique

October 10, 2015 / Fall 2015

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the first Arab and African secretary-general of the United Nations from 1992 to 1996, has donated his library of books and papers to the American University in Cairo, offering a rare glimpse into the elder statesman’s life.

Arab Peacemaker

By Scott MacLeod

April 6, 2015 / Spring 2015

Lakhdar Brahimi is the Middle East’s elder statesman. He speaks about the impact of colonialism, the rise of political Islam, and his life as a United Nations diplomat.