Foreign Policy Blogs

International

Making the UN Great Again?

Making the UN Great Again?

President Donald J. Trump has a few ideas about how to make America great again. They’re not very good. In fact, they’re counterproductive and, more likely than not, will promote the long-term decline of the nation. Now, it seems, he plans to apply comparable ideas to the United Nations as well. Making America Great Again? […]

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Our Respect for Sovereignty is also a Call to Action

Our Respect for Sovereignty is also a Call to Action

President Trump issues his first set of remarks at the United Nations. He highlighted the importance of national sovereignty and collective action.

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The Global Order in a Post-United Nations Era

The Global Order in a Post-United Nations Era

In its current form and function, the United Nations is on course to become irrelevant. Times are rapidly changing and while its model has been static, at best.

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5 Territorial Disputes to Watch Out for in 2017

5 Territorial Disputes to Watch Out for in 2017

2017 could be a watershed year for many countries, as various territorial disputes threaten to boil over amidst a climate of global uncertainty.

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Nikki Haley Steps into the Turtle Bay Meat Grinder

Nikki Haley Steps into the Turtle Bay Meat Grinder

With strong anti-UN sentiment among Republicans in Congress and growing Russian and Chinese assertiveness, Haley’s task is not going to be easy.

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Increased Great Power Competition Changes Strategy of “Swing” Powers

Increased Great Power Competition Changes Strategy of “Swing” Powers

U.S.-Russia and U.S.-China hostilities have led to foreign policy strategy recalibrations for the Philippines, Japan, and Turkey.

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Can António Guterres Save the UN?

Can António Guterres Save the UN?

The Secretary-General post requires three things at once: Guterres needs to be a diplomat, a bureaucrat, and a politician.

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UN Reform by the Numbers

UN Reform by the Numbers

For the UN to reflect today’s world accurately, it must reform both the Security Council and national contributions to the UN budget.

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Making the Olympics Less of an Elite Event

Making the Olympics Less of an Elite Event

No country should host the Olympics unless there is a guaranteed positive economic return from the Games. Unfortunately, this is not the case of Rio 2016.

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The World Needs Maternalistic Leadership

The World Needs Maternalistic Leadership

With the worldwide rising tide of female leadership, the global public’s call for a female UN leader encapsulates today’s zeitgeist.

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The UN Should Get a Better Deal from Assad

The UN Should Get a Better Deal from Assad

The Syrian government has been exerting a great deal of influence on the actions of the UN aid agencies in Syria. It has leveraged foreign aid workers need for its permission to enter Syria into access to supplies for its supporters while denying vital food and medical aid to civilians trapped in areas outside its control.

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The United Nations’ Struggles in Syria

The United Nations’ Struggles in Syria

On June 9, the U.N. was finally able to get food to residents of Daraya, a small Damascus suburb, for the first time in almost four years.

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Universal Value of Ramadan Ethics

Universal Value of Ramadan Ethics

Contrary to what ISIS, al-Shabaab, Boko Haram might preach, the core values of Islam enhanced in Ramadan are meant to be universal.

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The UN Post-2015: Great Decisions Spring Updates

The UN Post-2015: Great Decisions Spring Updates

With Ban Ki-Moon’s term as the United Nations Secretary-General ending this year, many candidates have been put forward to replace him.

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Iran-U.S. Confrontation in the Persian Gulf: An International Law Perspective

Iran-U.S. Confrontation in the Persian Gulf: An International Law Perspective

On January 12, 2016, 10 U.S. sailors were detained by Iran’s Navy and later released. Can Iran’s behavior in its territorial waters be considered justifiable or in accordance with international law?

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