Cyprus

The UN Under Secretary-General Who Also Sits on the Board of Shell

• December 21, 2021

Jane Holl Lute is in high demand. In 2020, on top of her two high-level United Nations jobs, the American diplomat has juggled other numerous executive roles on corporate and/or nonprofit boards, earning more than $900,000, according to public records. Lute was the UN envoy for Cyprus until she resigned in August, and she …

Gender Violence, UN Diplomats

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A Now-Retired UN Force Commander From Norway Double-Billed for Expenses

Dulcie Leimbach

• April 27, 2021

Maj. Gen. Kristin Lund of Norway double-billed her government and the United Nations for moving expenses, according to a new report from The Norwegian Business Daily (Dagens Naeringsliv/DN). Lund was the first woman force commander for the UN, holding the post at its peacekeeping mission in Cyprus. That stint was followed by her heading …

Middle East, Security Council, UN Careers

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GEOPOLITICS

The Moment to End Turkey’s Other War, in Cyprus, Is Fading Fast

Stéphanie Fillion

• October 24, 2019

Anywhere from the capital of Nicosia, day and night, Greek Cypriots can see a giant flag painted into the mountains in the north, in a separate region that calls itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It is an area that is recognized only by Turkey and isolated internationally. From the Greek side of …

Geopolitics, Secretary-General

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NIKKI HALEY WATCH

Can Jane Holl Lute, a New UN Envoy, Work a Miracle on Cyprus?

Dulcie Leimbach

• August 21, 2018

The newest person to venture into kick-starting talks between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots on the long-divided island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean is Jane Holl Lute. She is an American with a military and national-security background who has been assigned the task by the United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres. Since the …

Nikki Haley Watch, Security Council, UN Peacekeeping, US Foreign Relations, US-UN Relations

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TOPIC: WOMEN

UN’s First Female Force Commander Talks Gender Equality in the Military

Shana L. Childs

• April 13, 2017

Maj. Gen. Kristin Lund made history in 2014 when she was appointed the first female force commander of a United Nations peacekeeping mission — in this case, Cyprus. Still in active duty in the Norwegian military, General Lund, 58, gives lectures and advises the Norwegian Defense University College in Oslo. Although she is proud …

UN Careers, UN Peacekeeping, Women

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GEOPOLITICS

Gas Discovery Could Solidify UN-Led Cypriot Peace Talks

Omar H. Rahman

• January 25, 2017

As Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have returned this month to try to settle their 42-year conflict once and for all, a powerful new economic incentive — a significant natural gas discovery — could provide the decisive chance for success to the peace talks on Cyprus. The background to the natural gas discovery and …

Asia, Geopolitics, Middle East

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GOINGS-ON

A Norwegian Is Appointed the First Woman to Lead a UN Peacekeeping Force

Dulcie Leimbach

• May 15, 2014

A Norwegian, Maj. Gen. Kristin Lund, has been named the force commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus. General Lund is the first woman to serve in the force commander position in a UN peacekeeping operation. She replaces Maj. Gen. Chao Liu of China in August 2014. The operation in Cyprus is …

GOINGS-ON

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The Divided Life of Cyprus

Maria Luisa Gambale

• April 15, 2014

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus marked its 50th anniversary in March. The mission, which supervises cease-fire lines and maintains a buffer zone, has involved 32 countries that have contributed troops and police, among whom 184 peacekeepers have died. About 850 troops and 60 police officers make up the mission now, operating …