United Nations

On Topic

The United Nations was founded in 1945 to provide a venue for global dialogue and problem-solving among nations. A general assembly meets in New York once per year to deliberate issues, while a 15-member Security Council—with the United States as one of five permanent members—can issue decisions that member nations have agreed to carry out.

A Syrian refugee holds a shovel as her parents work to produce concrete blocks in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon (REUTERS/Jamal Saidi).

Opinion

Syrian Displacement Set To Become Aggravated

October 7, 2013, Kemal Kirişci and Ali E. Erol

The conclusion of the U.S.-Russian deal to remove chemical weapons from Syria has had the unintended consequence of further polarizing Syrian opposition groups and has lead to an increase in violence, argue Kemal Kirişci and Ali E. Erol. Without a resolution of the causes driving Syria's violence, Kirişci and Erol write, it is difficult to expect an end to the sufferings of civilians and a solution to the displacement problem.

Recent Activity

Refine by: Human Rights | Global Governance | Internal Displacement | Middle East and North Africa

Interview | Today's Zaman

Chemical Deal on Syria is "Kicking the Can Down the Road"

September 17, 2013, Salman Shaikh
Interview | CivilNet TV

Peace: Positive Forces Within Syria

September 5, 2013, Salman Shaikh
Interview | Syria Deeply

The Future of Syria: A Syria Deeply Interview with Salman Shaikh

September 5, 2013, Salman Shaikh
In the News

An accounting of the fate and whereabouts of all of North Korea’s political prisoners, including those missing and those who have died in detention should be of highest priority to the UN commission of inquiry and the entire international community.
August 27, 2013, Roberta Cohen, Democracy Digest
In the News

Internationally it's highly embarrassing for a country like Australia to have the UN Human Rights Committee say something like this (on Australia's refugee detention policy).
August 23, 2013, Jane McAdam, ABC News Australia
Interview | Voice of Russia

Will Reports of Chemical Weapons Spur Global Action on Syria?

May 2, 2013, Salman Shaikh
Interview | NPR

Syria, Chemical Weapons, And The Intervention Question

April 29, 2013, Shadi Hamid
In the News

The establishment of the [UN] commission [to look into North Korea's human rights abuses] reflects long overdue recognition that a human rights ‘emergency’ exists in North Korea. The commission of inquiry should not be seen as an end in itself but rather as part of a larger strategy to promote human rights in North Korea.
March 23, 2013, Roberta Cohen, Yonhap News Agency
In the News

It’s never easy to predict change in a society. Just remember the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the changes in Arab countries ― they were hardly foreseen. Continuing to chip away at the Kim regime and working to penetrate the information wall around North Korea could in time lead to change.
February 26, 2013, Roberta Cohen, The Korea Herald
In the News

[U.S. support for a U.N. inquiry into human rights abuses in North Korea could prompt other nations] especially those on the fence, to come forward in support of the initiative.
February 20, 2013, Roberta Cohen, Washington Post