What is the United Nations For?
The Civil War in Sri Lanka ended in May 2009. To date there have been no international prosecutions for the crimes that occurred. That is the gravest failure highlighted by recent disclosures.
Options and Prospects for the BASIC at Doha, COP-18
COP-18 is the last meeting before the Kyoto Protocol expires. Brazil, South Africa, India and China are a bridge between developed & developing nations that must shake itself to life for any conclusive bargain to be reached.
The Linear Mindset in the UN Engagement with Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste is portrayed as a successful case of UN intervention. However, this perception of Timor-Leste as a success is misguided and plays an important role in regards to the use of UN peace instruments and also in regards to the very credibility of the UN itself.
Calculating Whether a Two-Year Term on the UN Security Council is Worth Seeking
Australia has not withdrawn its SC candidacy. Whether that confidence is warranted will be revealed next week when the General Assembly meets to elect nonpermanent members of the Security Council.
NATO’s Implementation of UN SCR 1325
NATO has utilised UN SCR 1325 on ‘Women, Peace and Security’ as a tool to justify advocating increasing women in the military in order to counter manpower shortages.
Assessing Rio Plus 20
It is too early to tell whether the Rio Plus 20 conference has been a success or failure. Assessing its impact rests on the question of whether or not political actors are able to build from the conference.
Big Powers and the ‘Responsibility to Protect’
Great power responsibility to protect is actually bolstered when effective enforcement is unilaterally implemented despite divisions among major states.
The Moral Molecule and International Relations
Every representative political system depends on trust. The same is true for relations between polities. Yet, very little research has been done to understand why it is that we trust others and what those findings could mean for International Relations.
The Green Economy Challenge After Rio+20
The green economy is not just a current “buzz concept”. It represents a profound change in perceptions. Sadly, the opportunity to lock in a paradigm shift in international policy was lost at Rio+20.
Geopolitical Challenges to Implementing the Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities
After a failed effort by the EU in 2011, the international community will once again take up the issue of a Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities at the UN in October. Diverging national interests threaten to derail the talks.
