Darin Self | Authors | IPI Global Observatory

As UN Missions Draw Down, Strengthening Community-Led Approaches to Protection of Civilians

May 23, 2023by Gay Rosenblum-Kumar

UN mission transitions still result in gaps in the protection of civilians experiencing violent conflict.

Human Survival Depends on Biodiversity: Interview with Brad Cardinale

May 22, 2023by Jill Stoddard

Brad Cardinale, an ecologist who focuses on the conservation and restoration of biodiversity in natural systems discusses the scale and irreversibility of the biodiversity crisis.

Mediation in Peacekeeping Contexts: Trends and Challenges for Mission Leadership

May 19, 2023by Sara Hellmüller and Flavia Keller

The political role of the UN may not have diminished overall, but shifted.

How Not to Do UN Peacekeeping

May 17, 2023by Cedric de Coning

One of the most enduring lessons learned over the past 75 years of peacekeeping is that peace cannot be imposed.

75 Years On, the Uncertain Fate of UN Peacekeeping

May 16, 2023by Jenna Russo

This spring marks 75 years since the UN first deployed a peacekeeping mission. Here are some of the challenges peacekeeping is facing, and opportunities for the future.

Ten Years After Genocide Trial in Guatemala, Justice System Suffering Trust Deficit

May 10, 2023by Vaclav Masek

The ten-year anniversary of the historic trial coincides with a process of erosion in judicial independence in the country.

As Crimes against Peacekeepers Increase, How to Find Accountability

May 4, 2023by Agathe Sarfati and Jill Stoddard

Major challenges remain in pursuing justice for peacekeepers who have been victims of attacks.

A New Agenda for Peace: Making Peace Plural and Healing Historical Traumas

April 27, 2023by Youssef Mahmoud

Left unaddressed, painful legacies of past political violence will continue to infiltrate the institutions, processes, and assumptions that inform definitions of peace and approaches to sustaining peace.

Sharing the Pen in the UN Security Council: A Win for Inclusive Multilateralism?

April 7, 2023by Julie Gregory

Greater sharing of the pen within the Security Council could help mend perceptions of partiality and facilitate more inclusivity.

Wagner Group Poses Fundamental Challenges for the Protection of Civilians by UN Peacekeeping Operations

March 20, 2023by Dirk Druet

The Russian government-affiliated Wagner Group has gained widespread attention for its brutal tactics in the Central African Republic and Mali.

Addressing Gender Bias to Achieve Ethical AI

March 17, 2023by Ardra Manasi, Subadra Panchanadeswaran, and Emily Sours

For AI to be ethical and be a vehicle for the common good, it needs to eliminate any explicit and implicit biases, including on the gender front.

Future Peace Deal Not Just About Putin, Zelensky: Ukrainian People Get a Voice and a Vote

March 8, 2023by William Partlett

A stable peace deal requires the support of the Ukrainian people for both legal and political reasons.

Do People Trust the UN? A Look at the Data

February 22, 2023by Albert Trithart and Olivia Case

Survey data does not reveal a major, widespread drop in the UN’s legitimacy over the past few years.

After Agreement in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region, What Stands in the Way of Lasting Peace?

February 7, 2023by Hilary Matfess and Anne Lauder

A peace deal between Tigrayan forces and the Ethiopian government signed in November 2022 raised hopes that the war in northern Ethiopia—one of the world’s deadliest conflicts in recent years—was finally drawing to a close.

The Multilateralism Index: Measuring Transformation in a Time of Crisis and Uncertainty

January 9, 2023by Adam Lupel

A better understanding is needed of where the multilateral system is working, where it is not, and where it is headed.

Does the UN Need a More Coherent Approach Toward “De Facto” Authorities?

January 6, 2023by Damian Lilly

As a result of shifting dynamics in certain conflicts, as well as recent coups, the UN is having to engage with de facto authorities in a growing number of country contexts.

The Nitty Gritty of Climate Policy: Taking Stock of COP27, Looking Ahead to COP28

January 5, 2023by Olivia Fielding, Michael Franczak, Masooma Rahmaty, Aparajita Rao, Jimena Leiva Roesch, Michael Weisberg

The agreement to establish a fund for loss and damage was a historic win for developing countries, but progress on mitigation stalled at COP27.

Milestone in the Security Council: What the New Humanitarian “Carve-out” Means for UN Sanctions Regimes

December 16, 2022by Naureen Chowdhury Fink and Agathe Sarfati

Last week, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 2664, a cross-cutting humanitarian carve-out for all UN sanctions regimes–including the 1267 ISIL/al-Qaida regime–to safeguard the timely and effective conduct of humanitarian activities.

The East African Community Steps into the Crisis in the DRC. Will It Help?

December 12, 2022by Jenna Russo

While the current crisis is unlikely to be resolved without military force, any hope for success requires that operations remain closely tied to a political process, and that neighboring countries remain accountable to support the security and sovereignty of the DRC.

The Case for Integrating Sustaining Peace into an Expanded Climate, Peace and Security Concept

November 23, 2022by Cedric de Coning and Hafsa M. Maalim

Actions to address the effects of climate challenges can contribute to sustaining peace, while peacebuilding initiatives can, at times, also strengthen the capacity of communities to adapt to climate change.

Author: Darin Self

Myanmar Lays Bare Challenges of Military-Led Democratization

This week

Why Congo’s M23 Crisis Lingers On

China’s Small Steps into UN Peacekeeping Are Adding Up