10 August 2026
Campaigning From Within
On Thursday, 23 July 2026, the six candidates “running” for the position of United Nations Secretary-General came forward in the General Assembly Hall in New York to publicly present their visions for the organization’s future, as part of the “UN Town Hall.” Several of the candidates are current and former senior officials of the UN and related agencies. This post will explore the nature and procedure of the UNSG appointment, the challenges that arise when senior officials “run” for the highest office, and propose recommendations to mitigate these concerns. Continue reading >>
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17 March 2026
Condemning the Counterstrike Without the Cause
On 12 March 2026, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes against Gulf states and Jordan, declaring them a “breach of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.” While the resolution is silent on the ongoing US-Israeli bombing campaign, the larger problem is structural. Under the ius ad bellum framework the resolution purports to apply, the lawfulness of a use of force cannot be assessed in isolation from the use of force that preceded it. Continue reading >>
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27 March 2024
Beyond the Blocs
On Monday, 25 March, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate release of hostages, as well as emphasizing the need to increase the provision and distribution of humanitarian aid. The Resolution was adopted 14-0, with the United States the only member to abstain. As the Security Council website announces, this Resolution ended a “months-long deadlock”. The recent Resolution is not perceived by Israeli actors as binding. And yet, I argue that the fact that the US and Russia are now essentially voting together on the need to end this war could lead to significant further ramifications that may shape the region and beyond. Continue reading >>
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