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Author: George Gao

  • At the UN, Use of Twitter Growing

    November 9, 2012by George Gao

    The UN Community used to be a Twitter wasteland but use of the social media platform is growing.

    Analysistechnology, united nations
  • Defusing the Dispute Over Islands in the East China Sea

    October 2, 2012by George Gao

    China and Japan are caught in a classic security dilemma, one that digs up historical contentions and evokes nationalistic fervor at the risk of trade and stability.

    Analysisasia

This week

  • How the UN Can Help Ensure Non-State Armed Groups Protect Civilians

    April 16, 2021by Luciana Vosniak

    The UN is strategically positioned to engage with non-state armed groups in many issues relevant to civilian protection.

    Analysishumanitarian…
  • A Decade of Developments in Peace Operations

    April 14, 2021by Paul D. Williams

    A closer look at the last decade of peace operations highlights ten macro-level trends.

    Analysis

Trending

  • Human or Machine? Lessons from the Use of Technology in the Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

    April 12, 2021by Andreas Wittkowsky

    Peace operations, as well as humanitarian and development actors, are increasingly using technological means, which raises the question of how much of a “human touch” is still essential.

    Analysiseurope, technology
  • Impunity and Police Brutality Characterize Rise in Femicides in Mexico

    April 7, 2021by Gema Kloppe-Santamaría

    The recent murder of a woman refugee in Mexico sheds light on the violence experienced by women, undocumented migrants, and the economically disenfranchised.

    Analysisamericas, police
  • Key Global Events to Watch in April

    April 1, 2021by the Global Observatory

    A list of key upcoming meetings and events that have implications for global affairs compiled by the Global Observatory.

    Key Events
  • The Exclusion of Women’s Voices from Afghan Peace Talks Remains the Norm

    March 30, 2021by Masooma Rahmaty

    As the peace talks gain momentum again, ensuring that women’s voices are sufficiently represented in peace efforts should be a top priority.

    AnalysisAfghanistan, asia, peace processes
  • Growing Insurgency in Mozambique Poses Danger to Southern Africa

    March 26, 2021by Philip Obaji Jr.

    A lack of concrete action could turn southeast Africa into an unstable region akin to parts of West Africa.

    Analysisafrica, terrorism
  • To End Violence Against Women, We Need to Imagine New Futures

    March 25, 2021Marie Berry and Milli Lake

    Any conversation about eliminating violence against women needs to look clearly at the police as a source of insecurity and violence in women’s lives.

    Analysispolice, women peace and…
  • Looking Beyond Conflict to Address Climate Change Impacts in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

    March 19, 2021by Evyn Papworth

    An understanding of the gendered insecurities entrenched by natural disasters points to the need to expand the scope of the WPS agenda in order to address the structural violence of the climate crisis.

    Analysisclimate change, women peace and…
  • Rising Politicization Risks Splitting Somali National Army

    March 17, 2021by Colin Robinson

    The developing electoral crisis over the past few months has led to greater misuse of forces.

    Analysis
  • Identifying and Neutralizing Afghan Peace Spoilers

    March 5, 2021Annie Pforzheimer, Andrew Hyde, and Jason Criss Howk

    Afghanistan’s future is at stake and the vital importance of containing spoilers while encouraging a broad and productive debate on peace cannot be overstated.

    AnalysisAfghanistan, asia
  • Regional Special Forces Pose Threat to Peace and Security in Ethiopia

    February 22, 2021by Bereket Tsegay

    The peace and security arrangement between federal and regional states has allowed special forces to instigate conflicts in unique ways.

    Analysisafrica, peace and secur…
  • The Tigray Conflict in Ethiopia: Post-War Ramifications and International Response

    January 25, 2021by Jon Abbink

    Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his government are wary of the interference, complaints, and demands made by the international community.

    Analysisafrica, conflict
  • The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Peace and Conflict

    October 23, 2020by Katariina Mustasilta

    What happened to the pandemic being a catalyst for peaceful processes?

    Analysiscoronavirus, peace and secur…
  • The Impact of COVID-19 on the Protection of Cultural Heritage

    June 17, 2020by Nadia Al-Said

    While there is a pressing need to invest in the future given the pandemic’s impact, this is not fully possible without incorporating cultural heritage.

    Analysiscoronavirus, cultural herita…
  • Will Lessons from Cholera in Haiti Be Applied to COVID-19?

    May 6, 2020Adam R. Houston and Beatrice Lindstrom

    While the UN is making efforts to apply lessons from the cholera epidemic, there are reasons to question whether the reforms are adequate.

    Analysispeacekeeping
  • How Has the WHO Responded to the COVID-19 Pandemic?

    April 30, 2020by Lucia Mullen

    What is clear from the range of interventions and steps taken is that the WHO has been involved in almost all aspects of the response.

    Analysis
  • The Impact of Sanctions on Humanitarian Response to COVID-19

    April 27, 2020by Agathe Sarfati

    What can the UN system, particularly the UN Security Council, do to ensure that humanitarian organizations can fulfill their mission during the COVID-19 pandemic, in its immediate aftermath, and in the long-term?

    Analysishumanitarian…
  • How Has the UN Mission in Kosovo Delivered on Action for Peacekeeping?

    January 22, 2020by Pushkar M. Sharma

    UNMIK has made remarkable progress in realizing the A4P agenda as it works to consolidate peace in Kosovo and offers valuable lessons for peacekeeping globally.

    Analysispeacekeeping
  • The Effectiveness of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    December 19, 2019by Alexandra Novosseloff

    As steps to wind down the mission begin, it is important to assess the impact of MONUSCO’s various activities.

    Analysisdemocratic repu…, peacekeeping
  • Impact of UN Mission in South Sudan Complicated by Dilemmas of Protection

    December 12, 2019by Adam Day

    As UNMISS now stands on the edge of another fragile peace process, it is worth briefly recalling the protection challenges it is facing.

    Analysispeacekeeping, south sudan
  • Assessing the Effectiveness of the UN Mission in the Central African Republic

    November 21, 2019by Lise Howard

    Despite many challenges, MINUSCA has undoubtedly helped to protect civilians and extend state authority—two essential tasks of its current mandate.

    Analysispeacekeeping, united nations

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About the Global Observatory

The Global Observatory provides timely analysis on peace and security issues by experts, journalists, and policymakers. It is published by the International Peace Institute. The views expressed here represent those of the contributors and not IPI.

About the International Peace Institute

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