United Nations
709 Articles
The Legal Problem with Trump’s WHO Order: The US Cannot Withdraw Until It Pays Its Dues
US and international law haven't changed since the last time Trump tried mandating withdrawal and nonpayment during his first term.
If the UN and Member States Are Serious About Preventing Atrocities, It’s Time to Reboot a Key Office
Member States claim to want peace. Addressing issues in the "Joint Office" would elevate atrocity prevention as a priority.
What Just Happened: Withdrawing from Paris and other International Environmental Agreement Actions
President Donald Trump’s day one E.O. titled "Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements" combines provisions that are straightforward, inconsistent with…
Stefanik’s Senate Confirmation Hearings Bring Mix of Worry and Opportunity at UN
Foreign diplomats at the U.N. will likely watch Stefanik's confirmation hearings with a mixture of trepidation and tempered optimism.
Human Rights Priorities for 2025: The Global Landscape
The task of those working for international human rights is expansive. Here are a few areas to watch in 2025.
Should the Rebels be Recognized as the New Government of Syria? How International Law Could Provide a Clearer Answer
Is HTS now the new government of Syria under international law or is the toppled Assad regime still the government? Is there perhaps no government currently at all?
Suing the Taliban at the ICJ Over Abuses of Afghan Women Isn’t a Panacea. Countries Must Do More Now.
Beyond suing the Taliban and awaiting a potential ICJ case, the international community should meaningfully act on women's rights now.
New Challenges to Xi Jinping’s Alternative Facts on Taiwan: Lessons for the Human Rights Space, Too
Democracies must challenge Beijing’s threats to the UN human rights system and its standards, as they are starting to do on Taiwan.
Amid Turmoil in Lebanon and Syria, What Future for UN Peacekeeping in the Middle East?
The Lebanon and Golan Heights missions show certain ability to separate warring sides and support ceasefires, but with serious limitations.
What to Do If U.N. Climate Negotiations Fail to Phase Out Fossil Fuels?
Next year's COP must begin with steps towards a fossil fuel phaseout — with or without the fossil fuel industry's cooperation.
The International Criminal Court’s Classification of Armed Conflicts in the Situation in Palestine
The Pre-Trial Chamber's classification of armed conflicts in Gaza and its implications for the Court's jurisdiction.
COP29 in the Rearview Mirror: A Receding Mirage – But the Possibility for Real Action on the Road Ahead
The results of COP29 were largely disappointing – but there were still moments that provide a roadmap for the climate agenda at COP30.