United Nations (UN)
1,280 Articles
The 2018 Annual Report of the U.N. International Law Commission
The U.N. International Law Commission’s 2018 annual report is being debated from October 22 to 31 before the Sixth (Legal) Committee of the U.N. General Assembly. Sean Murphy,…
How Will Nikki Haley’s Resignation Affect U.S. Policy Towards Africa?
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley’s surprise resignation earlier this month led to a handful of predictable questions, including why was she resigning, why now,…
Letter to the Editor: How About Some Regulation of the Mercenary Industry?
Following Sarah Knuckey and Ryan Goodman’s post on U.S. mercenaries in Yemen, I’d like to provide a bit of international legal background to the urgent discussion of whether…
The U.N. Security Council’s Outsized Role in Shaping Counter Terrorism Regulation and Its Impact on Human Rights
This week, as U.N. Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, I submitted my annual report to the…
Trump Gets “Presumption of Innocence” Wrong on Saudi Responsibility for Khashoggi Disappearance
President Donald Trump has weighed in several times in recent days on the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi in ways that seem intended to minimize Saudi Arabia’s responsibility,…
What Are the Consequences of the Trump Administration’s Recent Treaty Withdrawals?
Resorting to treaty withdrawal in response to adverse actions by other parties or decisions by international courts sets a destabilizing precedent.
Bolstered EU Force Could Help Stabilize Bosnia, as Russia and Elections Close In
On Oct. 7, Bosnia will hold its most contentious and divisive elections since the war that killed 100,000 people in the 1990s. The risk of state disintegration in the immediate…
Why Support for U.N.-backed Anti-Corruption Commission in Guatemala is Vital to U.S. Interests
The ongoing constitutional crisis in Guatemala underscores concerns that corruption continues to permeate high levels of the government.
It’s a Start – Why the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migration Matter
Both documents contain significant weaknesses. But they emerge at a time of urgency and provide a route for the crucial discussions that will still be needed going forward, because…
International Criminal Law Roundup: Part II
This is Part II of an international criminal law roundup focused on the ad hoc international and hybrid tribunals. Part I was dedicated to developments at the ICC. Part III will…
Why Trump’s Aid Cuts to Syria, Gaza and West Bank Heighten Risk to U.S.
The Trump administration recently announced, in a cascade of shortsighted decisions, that it will cut at least $700 million in aid to Syria and to the West Bank and Gaza, some…
U.N. Peace Operations Should Get Off the Counter-Terror Bandwagon
There has been too little discussion of the enormous risks that counter-terrorism involvement in U.N. peace operations poses for U.N. efforts to maintain and build peace.