Topic: United Nations General Assembly

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Palestinian statehood: why Arabs have turned on Obama

President Obama, who made Israeli-Palestinian peace a priority from the outset of his administration, is now the US leader with incongruously bad relations with the Arab world. Here are three key causes of the deterioration in ties – and three steps that the can be taken to mend US relations with Arabs and Muslims.
US hikers freed: Timeline of key events

The two US hikers remaining in Iranian custody, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, were released today after more than two years of detention. Here are the key points in their saga.
Palestinian UN bid: key moves to watch for

At this year’s annual meeting the United Nations General Assembly in New York, one of the most high-profile issues is the Palestinian statehood bid. What is it, and how will it unfold?
Obama's speech: Five ways Netanyahu can respond

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure to make a decisive move. Here are five options.
International Women's Day: What's it all about?

Today is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. In 1911, the first year the day was celebrated internationally, women could not vote in most countries. Today, women serve as presidents of nations and corporations.

All Content

No explanation given: Palestinian PM skips Netanyahu meeting

Looking ahead, Palestinian leaders face few appealing options for advancing their agenda, which has been sidelined by Iran and the US elections.
Syrian army fighting rebels days before troop pullback (+video)

Syrian army troops and tanks are reportedly fighting rebels near Damascus and other cities. President al-Assad has agreed to pull back troops as part of a UN-brokered peace plan next week.
Only faint hope for UN 'last chance' plan to avert civil war in Syria

The UN Security Council has approved a statement urging Syria to halt all violence by next Tuesday or 'further steps' will be taken. But what those further steps are is not clear.
Latin America Monitor
Bolivia says no to cocaine, but yes to coca

As Latin America debates decriminalizing drugs, nowhere is the coca-cocaine tension more prevalent than in Bolivia, writes guest blogger Jackie Briski.
To help Syria, apply a mix of 'soft' and 'hard' power

Sanctions and isolation of the Assad regime are simply allowing massacres to continue in Syria. Yet the world resists an all-out military intervention in Syria. A third option is to apply a mix of 'hard' and 'soft' power to relieve the suffering there.
'Responsibility to protect': the moral imperative to intervene in Syria

The moral imperative of the international 'responsibility to protect' doctrine, also known as R2P, compels the world to react and respond to the widespread persecution and killings in Syria.
'Friends of Syria': Which good cause will bring unity for action?

At both the UN and at a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Tunisia, a consensus is steadily forming over which universal value can justify strong action on Syria.
How the 'Friends of Syria' meeting showcases international weakness

The intervention in Libya had some experts declaring that henceforth there would be no retreat from an international 'responsibility to protect' civilians. But the Syria crisis has many reassessing the doctrine's stature.
Syrian forces fire on crowded funeral procession

Activists say two were killed in the latest violence, which came during a visit to Syria by a Chinese envoy.
Terrorism & Security
After UN condemns Syria abuses, Assad rains artillery down on Homs

Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad redoubled his assault on the city of Homs after a symbolic UN General Assembly vote calling on him to step down.
Global News Blog
Hillary Clinton to step down from 'high wire' of US diplomacy

It's too early to talk of her legacy, or to grade the Obama administration's foreign policy, but four years of repairing relationships and defending US interests have taken a physical toll. 
Backchannels
Are the assassinations of Iranian scientists an act of terrorism?

Iran has many capable engineers, and none of the victims appear to have had indispensable knowledge. But spreading fear among the living can slow them down and deter young recruits.
As Syria death toll soars, so does US frustration with Russia

The death toll from the crackdown in Syria has topped 5,000, the top UN human rights official told the Security Council. With Russia blocking action, the US and others are voicing increasing frustration.
Kofi Annan: Despite flaws, UN Human Rights Council can bring progress

As Human Rights Day 2011 approaches, skeptics say the new UN Human Rights Council has not lived up to its mandate. Some suggest democratic nations should abandon it. At a time when we should be making it stronger, forsaking the Council is the wrong way to advance human rights.
President Obama sees popularity boost in Israel

In a new poll in Israel, Mr. Obama earns a favorable rating of 54 percent from Israeli Jews – up an impressive 13 percent compared to last year. Still, he's not as popular as former US presidents Bill Clinton or George W. Bush.
Iranian oil sales, foreign exchange taking a hit from US, UN sanctions

Despite Tehran's insistence that increasingly strict sanctions are not harming Iran, Iranian oil sales are down and its foreign exchange access is being hampered by the US and UN sanctions.
Hey America, Iran still isn't threat No. 1

Even after the alleged Iranian plot to assassinate a Saudi ambassador on US soil, Iran is not the threat to the US that most Americans – and political leaders – think it is. The mythical Iranian Goliath is still largely a fallacy.
Why even Israel supporters are worried about US freeze on Palestinian aid

The Palestinian campaign for statehood hasn't sat well with Washington, and now some members of Congress have decided to freeze some of the $500 million US aid to Palestinians.
Turkey’s potential as Middle East leader marred by Israel dispute

In its relatively new role in the Middle East, Turkey holds great potential as an influence for democratic, economic, and diplomatic good. But its dispute with Israel over the Gaza flotilla incident is holding it back.
Latin America Monitor
Mexico's 'Cannabis Libraries' reflect rising drug problem, and changing attitudes

Mexico's Cannabis Libraries, public collections of reliable information about illegal drugs, help to educate citizens in a country that is seeing consumption on the rise.
Mahmoud Abbas: 'Of whom should I be afraid?'

In an interview, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas discusses the Palestinian bid for statehood recognition at the UN; peaceful opposition to Israel; relations with Syria, Turkey, and Iran; Obama's words vs. actions; and his willingness to return to negotiations.
Africa Monitor
With support, Mali could provide a rare democracy success story

Mali has asked for logistical and financial support in its 2012 presidential elections, an event that could solidify huge strides made in recent years.
At UN, Libya's new leaders seek support to thwart terrorist threat

Libya’s interim government says capturing Qaddafi is a matter of security and stability not just for Libya, but for the region and beyond.
How US could avoid vetoing Palestinian statehood

Even though nine Security Council members have recognized Palestinian sovereignty, it appears increasingly unlikely that all of those would vote for the formal request.
Palestinian statehood: why Arabs have turned on Obama

President Obama, who made Israeli-Palestinian peace a priority from the outset of his administration, is now the US leader with incongruously bad relations with the Arab world. Here are three key causes of the deterioration in ties – and three steps that the can be taken to mend US relations with Arabs and Muslims.