John Kerry

Rights Advocates Rejoice as the New Biden Team Is Assembled

November 23, 2020

Advice is pouring into President-elect Joe Biden from around the United States and across the world on how to turn around the damage the Trump administration has inflicted in key policy areas. Advocates for public health, women’s rights and a semblance of restored American leadership are among those hoping for quick action starting the …

Africa, Climate and Environment, US Foreign Relations, US-UN Relations

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In a Single Day, US Congress Castigates Both the UN and Obama Over Israeli Vote

January 6, 2017

by Barbara Crossette

While Washington is caught up in the unfolding drama about the extent and motives of Russian hacking and possible attempted manipulation of the 2016 American presidential election, another story is playing out around threats to “punish” the United Nations. On Jan.5, the United States House of Representatives voted to repudiate the Security Council resolution …

Health and Population, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Middle East, Security Council, UN Agencies

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UN Puts on Big To-Do, Amid Tight Security, for Signing of New Climate Agreement

April 22, 2016

by Dulcie Leimbach

The United Nations threw a large and lavish party at its headquarters in New York on Earth Day, the opening day of the signing ceremony for the world’s new climate agreement. About 170 heads of state and government representatives came to inscribe their names, in alphabetical order by country, in the General Assembly Hall, …

Climate and Environment, Secretary-General

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As Syrian Peace Talks Take Shape, How Will Women Take Part?

December 26, 2015

by Dulcie Leimbach

When the United Nations Security Council recently approved timelines to begin peace talks and institute a national cease-fire in Syria, the language in the resolution gave no hint of the magnitude of such undertakings, nor did the congratulatory speeches afterward by diplomats delve into the details. That means the nitty-gritty work is left to …

Gender-Based Violence, Middle East, Peace and Security, Security Council, Syria, Women

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Russia Supplies the Single Vote Against UN Action on Ukraine

March 15, 2014

by Dulcie Leimbach

Facing near-unanimous Security Council support over the situation in Ukraine, Russia supplied the single veto needed to nix a resolution that aimed to de-legitimize the scheduled referendum on Crimea’s seceding from the country, to be held March 16, in a vote today in the United Nations Security Council. Russia’s veto on the resolution was …

Peace and Security, Security Council

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Syrian Women Win Active Role in Geneva Peace Conference

January 22, 2014

by Maurizio Guerrero and Dulcie Leimbach

The United Nations-led peace talks in Switzerland to begin the laborious discussions to end the war in Syria have officially started, but Syrian women activists who have been demanding to sit at the crucial peace-talks table on Jan. 24 in Geneva did not know until the last minute whether any women would be involved. …

Middle East, Peace and Security, Women

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WORLDVIEWS

Susan Rice’s Rise Beyond the United Nations

April 18, 2013

by Patrick Rosenow

JENA, Germany — Many rumors abound regarding the future of America’s top envoy at the United Nations, Susan E. Rice. While she is still working as the United States ambassador to the UN, some media reports are predicting that she will become President Obama’s next national security adviser, succeeding Thomas E. Donilon. As to …

Security Council, US-UN Relations, WORLDVIEWS

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The UN Adopts an Arms Treaty ‘With Teeth’

April 3, 2013

by Dulcie Leimbach

The momentous adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty at the United Nations has been greeted with much enthusiasm worldwide but also strong skepticism as the reality of carrying out its aim — regulating international transfers of conventional arms — sets in. “Effectiveness will be slow as it comes into force,” Peter Woolcott, the permanent …

Disarmament, General Assembly, Peace and Security, US-UN Relations, Women

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Notorious African Rebel Lands in International Court Hands

March 22, 2013

by Dulcie Leimbach

Bosco Ntaganda, whom the United States calls “one of the most notorious and brutal rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” has arrived at the International Criminal Court in The Hague after being transported by court officials from Rwanda. Ntaganda is a Congolese warlord who has been operating with impunity in eastern Congo …