Comment & Analysis - January 23, 2012

A Quiet Diplomat for Challenging Times

Ban Ki-moon was appointed to a second five-year term as Secretary-General of the United Nations in his typical style: quietly. In a time of divisive power plays in the Security Council, all 15 members supported him and, a week later, the General Assembly gave its unanimous consent. No other candidate had been put forward and no fuss was raised among Member States.  

General Announcements - August 15, 2011

African Junior Professionals Fellowship Program at IPI

The fourth annual African Junior Professionals Fellowship Program at IPI brought six African scholars to New York for a month-long (July 1-28) familiarization with the United Nations and the related think tank community.  

General Announcements - April 28, 2011

First Findings From Study of Compliance with Security Council Resolutions Presented at Convention

Under which circumstances and why do warring factions comply with third-parties’ demands for the cessation of hostilities, and when do such calls go unheeded?  

Podcasts - April 12, 2011

Podcast: Mark Malloch Brown

The former UN Deputy Secretary-General spoke to an overflow audience at IPI at an April 6th event based on his new book "The Unfinished Global Revolution: The Pursuit of a New International Politics."  

IPI in the News - March 18, 2011

OSCE Launches Post-Summit Discussions [OSCE Press Release]

General Announcements - February 23, 2011

Ed Luck: Crimes Against Humanity May Have Occurred in Libya

Asked on Al Jazeera on February 23rd if crimes against humanity were being committed in Libya, Dr. Edward C. Luck, IPI Senior Vice President for Research and Programs, said that though "we don't have direct access, there is certainly good reason to believe" they were. 

Comment & Analysis - February 22, 2011

Where the Security-Development Debate Falls Short

The relationship between security and development has been a growing concern this decade at the UN, highlighted by current events in the Middle East and figuring in comments from Secretaries-General, a summit meeting of the full UN membership and, just this month, a thematic discussion at the Security Council under the presidency of Brazil.  

Comment & Analysis - September 14, 2010

Democracy Day at the United Nations?

Three years ago the United Nations General Assembly declared September 15th the International Day of Democracy, an annual event to assess the progress of democracy around the world. 

Comment & Analysis - August 05, 2010

For These Founders, the Empire Mattered the Most

At a farewell reception two years ago for under secretary for peacekeeping operations, Jean-Marie Guéhenno, he was asked what had surprised him the most during his eight years in the post. “The importance of national sovereignty,” he answered. 

Comment & Analysis - August 04, 2010

The Shifting of Political Positions in Africa

Africa's leaders gathered at Speke Resort Munyonyo on the shores of Lake Victoria on the outskirts of the Ugandan capital Kampala on July 25th for the African Union bi-annual summit. This was the 15th meeting since the continental body was founded eight years ago.