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Opinion

  • Fleeing Syria, a Girl Seeks a Life Beyond “Refugee”

    June 2, 2015by Mona Christophersen

    A 16-year-old Syrian girl who fled to Jordan tells of the obstacles she faces while seeking education, training, and work.

    Opinionhumanitarian, syria
  • Rethinking the Global Fight Against Extremism

    February 24, 2015by Hardeep S. Puri and Omar El Okdah

    The global fight against extremism requires a serious conversation on how best to implement and frame the question within the lens of social inclusion and effective governance.

    Opinionterrorism
  • Contrasting Trends: Europe Between Democracy and Radicalism

    February 6, 2015by John L. Hirsch

    Responding forcefully to anti-Semitic acts and changing the relationships between young Muslims and the broader European community are two sides of the same issue.

    Opinioneurope, terrorism
  • Rumors of the UN’s Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

    October 27, 2014by Francesco Mancini

    Friday marked the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN charter, and while we celebrate the achievements of the 69-year-old world body in perennial crisis, we need to keep an eye on long-term political trends.

    Opinionpeacekeeping, united-nations
  • A New Compact Against ISIS

    October 3, 2014by Hardeep S. Puri

    To be truly successful, the US-led coalition against ISIS will have to address some of the deep-seated causes of the group’s rise.

    Opinionfragile-states, middle-east, terrorism
  • Building a Sustainable Future Requires Leadership from State and Citizen

    September 23, 2014Jimena Leiva-Roesch, Youssef Mahmoud, and Steve Nation

    A product of negotiations, the 17 SDGs may not be perfect, but they can serve as clear goals for popular movements, local communities, and all manner of networks.

    Opiniondemocracy, development
  • Can Russia Reshape Ukraine Without Firing a Shot?

    April 18, 2014by Anna Maria Dyner

    To protect its interests, Russia is pushing for the federalization of Ukraine through economic influence and propaganda, but use of force could still be possible.

    Opinioneurope, peace-and-security, resources
  • Despite Deal, Iran Still Needs Pressure (and UN Sanctions)

    December 13, 2013by Kristen Boon

    The real answer about the impact of sanctions—whether multilateral or unilateral—on the Iran deal will continue to be debated, but it is clear that until a comprehensive solution is reached, member states must continue to implement existing UN sanctions.

    Opinioniran, rule-of-law, united-nations
  • How Mandela’s Relentless Diplomacy Transformed South Africa

    December 9, 2013by John L. Hirsch

    Former US Ambassador John Hirsch traces the path of Mandela’s relentless diplomacy.

    Opinionafrica, peace-processes, statebuilding
  • Mandela, Pan-African Prophet

    December 9, 2013by Adekeye Adebajo

    Adekeye Adebajo writes that Mandela’s legacy will be his export of the pan-African spirit of ubuntu: the gift of discovering our shared humanity.

    Opinionafrica, peace-processes, statebuilding
  • Next →

This week

  • How to Design an Effective Plastics Treaty in the Face of Uncertainty

    July 14, 2025by Ian Johnstone and Joshua Lincoln

    These are fraught times for global treaty-making. Geopolitical tensions, populist impulses, powerful economic forces, and scientific and technological uncertainty vastly complicate negotiations. In 2022, the UN secretary-general complained that multilateralism was under attack, and things have…

    Analysisenvironment, multilateralism
  • As the UN Charter Turns 80, America’s Commitment to It Is Withering

    June 26, 2025by Jan Eliasson and Jordan Ryan

    When the United Nations Charter was signed in San Francisco 80 years ago, the United States was not just the host—it was the architect. American leadership helped craft a vision of peace secured not through domination but through cooperation. “We the peoples,” the Charter begins—a…

    Analysisun-reform, un80, united-states

Trending

  • Online Gender-Based Violence and a Path to Justice: Interview with Deqa Yasin

    July 8, 2024by Phoebe Donnelly and Mahathi Ayyagari

    In this interview, Deqa Yasin recounts her experiences as a Somali Minister and a survivor of online attacks, and talks about the role of the international community in combating online gender-based violence, how women in leadership roles can be supported, and what the future holds for women’s…

    Interviewssomalia, women-peace-and-security, womens-rights
  • “There is No Safe Place for Civilians in Conflict.” Q&A With Hichem Khadhraoui

    July 1, 2024by the Global Observatory

    It is an especially dangerous time for civilians in conflict. Hichem Khadhraoui, Executive Director at Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), details a frank assessment of the topic.

    Interviewsprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25
  • Independent Engagement on Counterterrorism with the United Nations: Is the Risk Worth the Reward for Civil Society?

    June 24, 2024by Matt Schwartz and Franziska Praxl-Tabuchi

    Around the world, states are using UN resolutions, policy guidance, and technical assistance to justify mounting human rights violations, frequently targeting activists and civil society groups. While there is a common desire to see the UN correct its course, for many in civil society, the risks…

    Analysiscivil-society, ctat20
  • Why UN Financing Matters For Effective Multilateralism

    June 18, 2024by Max-Otto Baumann and Sebastian Haug

    While it may seem paradoxical for the UN to simultaneously have a record budget and face a liquidity crisis, this speaks to the long-standing complexities of UN funding dynamics. A closer look at UN financing provides insights into how UN multilateralism works, or fails to work.

    Analysismultilateralism, un-financing
  • Reflections on “Protection of Civilians” Week: Interview with Dirk Druet

    June 7, 2024by Dirk Druet and Jill Stoddard

    In this interview around this year’s PoC week, Dirk Druet, a researcher, policy adviser and former official in international peace and security pillar of the United Nations, and a non-resident fellow at the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations at the International Peace Institute,…

    Interviewsprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25
  • An Opportunity for Renewal? Lessons Learned on Women, Peace, and Security in Afghanistan  

    May 28, 2024by Farkhondeh Akbari and Jacqui True

    There is an urgent need to pursue coherent policies to support women and girls in Afghanistan through diplomacy and practical measures. However, to do this, it is important to understand how to navigate the patriarchal practices that inhibit the protection of women’s rights in Afghanistan.

    Analysisafghanistan, women-peace-and-security
  • Northwest Nigeria Has a Banditry Problem. What’s Driving It?

    May 22, 2024by Oluwole Ojewale

    Banditry now joins Nigeria’s list of problematic non-state armed groups which includes Boko Haram factions, Niger Delta militants in Nigeria’s south, and separatist groups in the country’s southeast. This article’s glimpse into the bandits’ world ties in with theoretical explanations on…

    Analysisbandits, nigeria
  • The UN’s New Agenda for Protection: Can It Make a Difference?

    May 13, 2024by Damian Lilly and Jennifer Welsh

    This is not the first time the UN has tried to reinvigorate its commitment to improve its performance in preventing and responding to protection crises. The question today is whether the current agenda can learn lessons from HRuF and make a tangible difference where previous efforts have fallen…

    Analysisprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25, united-nations
  • Bridging Gaps in UN Tools that Address Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

    May 8, 2024by Jenna Russo and Lauren McGowan

    Over the past two decades, the UN Security Council and Secretariat have attempted to increase the links between the CRSV agenda and sanctions regimes. The Secretary-General has also consistently recommended increasing the links between the annual reports and sanctions. Based on our research, we…

    Analysissexual-violence
  • As Kenyan Deployment Sits in Limbo, Revisiting the History of International Intervention Against Gangs in Haiti

    May 2, 2024by Lou Pingeot

    Even if the proposed intervention stops violence momentarily—and many Haitians are clamoring for any form of security—this can only be a temporary fix as long as the social contract between the Haitian state and the Haitian population remains broken.

    Analysishaiti, multilateralism, peace-operations
  • When Protectors Become Perpetrators: The Complexity of State Destruction of Cultural Heritage

    April 24, 2024by Michaela Millender and Nicolette Lyubarsky

    While Israel wages war against Hamas in Gaza and Russia pursues its war in Ukraine, an egregious yet potentially overlooked assault may be under way in both contexts.

    Analysiscultural-heritage
  • A Review of the 68th Commission on the Status of Women: Small Wins in a Polarized Landscape

    April 19, 2024by Phoebe Donnelly and Mahathi Ayyagari

    Increasingly, CSW negotiations have come to reflect the global debate on gender rights between gender rights activists advocating for progressive gender language and right-wing coalitions pushing for conservative, anti-gender language. Despite polarized views on gender, at this year’s CSW,…

    Uncategorizedcsw, gender-rights
  • One Year Ago, War Broke Out in Sudan. What Can Be Done to Prioritize Protection of Civilians?

    April 15, 2024by Julie Gregory

    For the first time in nearly 20 years, Sudan is without a UN peace operation that enables or supports the protection of civilians, increasing the likelihood that the already severe protection gaps in country will worsen.

    Analysisprotection-of-civilians, protection-of-civilians-at-25
  • When It Comes to Responsible and Safe AI, a Global Divide Is Emerging

    April 11, 2024by Robert Muggah

    The latest global push to regulate AI comes at a time of growing concern and awareness over its potential to do harm.

    Analysisai
  • As Ethiopia Moves Forward With Its Transitional Justice Initiative, Challenges Abound

    April 2, 2024by Zekarias Beshah Abebe

    While the guns have fallen silent in Tigray after the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, escalating violence in various parts of the country—notably Amhara and Oromia—are putting into question the feasibility of the country’s new transitional justice draft policy, and the…

    Analysisethiopia, transitional-justice
  • More Than an Invitation: NGOs’ New Vision to Deepen Civil Society Engagement in UN Peacebuilding Review

    March 19, 2024by Lesley Connolly and Aaron Stanley

    The upcoming UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review provides a unique opportunity for the UN to shape the future of peacebuilding at a moment when sentiment toward multilateral institutions and the liberal framework guiding peacebuilding as a whole is changing. The way in which the review is…

    Analysiscivil-society, peacebuilding, un-reform
  • The UN Approach to Global Conflict is Flawed. Can the Human Rights Council Do More to Strengthen It?

    March 18, 2024by Erica Harper

    Whether through its investigative capabilities, its special rapporteur system, or the forum itself, the Human Rights Council could evolve to become a more central and effective actor in addressing peace and security risks.

    Analysishuman-rights-council, security-council, un-reform
  • Can the AU’s “Common African Defence and Security Policy” Provide a Pan-African Solution to the Continent’s Security Challenges?

    February 27, 2024by Bitania Tadesse

    The AU possesses several norms and policies which, if implemented, could lead to meaningful transformation in the peace and security landscape of the continent. The CADSP is one such instrument. The 20-year anniversary of the policy presents an opportunity to reaffirm the principles that are the…

    Analysisafrican-security, african-union
  • UN “Summit of the Future” Must Deliver for the Planet

    February 7, 2024by Adam Day

    It is not too late for UN member states to generate a planetary narrative and outcome for the Summit of the Future in September 2024. Here are some steps that can be taken so the Summit will resonate with the majority who see the environment as a top priority.

    Analysisclimate-change, environment, summit-of-the-future
  • Misinformation Isn’t Organized by Topic: Why Communicators on Climate Change and Health Need to Work Together

    February 5, 2024by Albert Trithart

    Considering that the climate crisis predated the COVID-19 pandemic, why has attention on climate misinformation lagged? And how can efforts to tackle climate misinformation learn from and build off of similar efforts in the field of health?

    Analysisclimate-change, misinformation, pandemics

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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.

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