PAST EVENT
Friday, September 18, 2009
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
World leaders are now in New York as the United Nations General Assembly opens its 64th session. Last week, Brookings hosted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a speech previewing the U.S. agenda for the assembly, including addressing Iran, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, climate change, and the Middle East peace process. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Elizabeth Ferris, February 09, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Elizabeth Ferris outlines her January trip to Geneva, Switzerland, where she engaged with practitioners working with the United Nations, the Red Cross/Crescent movement and NGOs to discuss key areas where research can help improve humanitarian response. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Salman Shaikh, February 08, 2012, CNN.com
Salman Shaikh outlines options for ending gridlock in the UN Security Council on Syria. Shaikh argues that the international community should hold Russia to its endorsement of the Arab League’s November initiative, call for another Security Council vote, and form a united front demanding an immediate end to the violence in Syria. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel Kaufmann, February 06, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Daniel Kaufmann examines China and Russia's veto of the U.N. Security Council resolution condemning the violence in Syria, arguing that the veto is unsurprising given the low standards of governance in all three countries. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Shadi Hamid, February 06, 2012, CNN.com
Shadi Hamid says with Russia and China vetoing the U.N. Security Council’s resolution against Syria, despite support from the Syrian population for international aid, the civil war there will only intensify. Hamid argues that the international community must plan how to best end the stalemate. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ibrahim Sharqieh, January 31, 2012, Christian Science Monitor
In protest of the Palestinian statehood bid at the United States, U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen froze $192 million in funding for USAID programs, including a Palestinian version of Sesame Street. Ibrahim Sharqieh explains how this move has jeopardized U.S. policy in the Middle East. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Khaled Elgindy, February 2012, The Brookings Institution
Ten years after its formation, Khaled Elgindy takes a critical look at the Middle East Quartet: the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. Elgindy examines the group's record on the Middle East peace process, and questions whether bringing the Israelis and Palestinians together is doing more harm than good. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Salman Shaikh, January 26, 2012, The Brookings Institution
The Arab League recently set a roadmap for a political transition in Syria that calls for Bashar al-Asad to step aside. Salman Shaikh argues that this plan, if executed with skilled diplomacy, may provide the best opportunity for a political solution that protects the freedom and rights of Syrians. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ibrahim Sharqieh, January 25, 2012, The Daily Star

January 26 marks the three-month deadline for Palestinians and Israelis to submit their opening positions on mutual borders and security. Ibrahim Sharqieh argues that the United States must avoid a diplomatic confrontation as the deadline passes and the Palestinians continue their quest for statehood in the United Nations.
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RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Diana Villiers Negroponte, January 19, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Diana Negroponte highlights five lessons about conflict resolution that should be remembered from the Chapultepec Accords, which ended the twelve-year civil war in El Salvador in 1992. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Salman Shaikh, December 15, 2011, Christian Science Monitor
As Syria shows increasing signs of civil war, Salman Shaikh examines the consequences of the actions of the United Nations Security Council, and argues that members apply pressure on supporters of the regime, and take steps to force the Syrian government to accept an immediate cease-fire and allow international monitoring. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William Y. Brown, December 12, 2011, The Brookings Institution
William Y. Brown examines the role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in multilateral peace-keeping initiatives, arguing that UNESCO encourages discussions on unifying issues of science, education and culture, an important aspect of long-term security. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Nathan Hultman, December 09, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Nathan Hultman examines the Technology Mechanism (TM), an institution charged with facilitating knowledge sharing and technology transfer so that innovations that successfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions spread more quickly. Hultman offers four ways the TM can achieve its mission. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
David L. Caprara and Matt Clausen, December 06, 2011, The Brookings Institution
David Caprara and Matt Clausen examine how Colombia's increased civil society participation can help the government achieve one of its highest priorities, reducing the levels of extreme poverty, by increasing critical services and providing youth with professional skills. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Robert Kagan, November 10, 2011, NPR
In light of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s report suggesting that Iran is still seeking to develop nuclear weapons, Robert Kagan discusses options for addressing the country’s nuclear ambitions, and examines what Iran having nuclear weapons would mean for politics in the region.
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