Although U.S. intelligence has assessed “with varying degrees of confidence” that the Syrian government had used the chemical agent sarin against its citizens, President Obama is proceeding cautiously in committing action against Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad. Obama’s circumspection stems from the lesson learned from the erroneous reports more than a decade ago that indicated that Iraq possessed [...]
Humanitarian Crisis Developing in North Mali
April 17, 2013 | Posted by
The United Nations World Food Program has issued a warning on the humanitarian situation in northern Mali, where cities like Timbuktu are struggling to access food amid growing security threats for NGO workers on the field.
Central African Republic President Flees as Rebels Seize Capital
March 24, 2013 | Posted by
Central African Republic President Francois Bozize was forced out of the country Saturday as Seleka rebels seized the presidential palace in the capital of Bangui. Bozize fled south to the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to government officials. With rebels now controlling the city, Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye hopes that peace talks can begin. “I [...]
UN Pressures Haiti to Hold Long Delayed Elections
March 21, 2013 | Posted by
Haiti is under pressure from the United Nations to hold its long delayed elections as specified in a U.N. Security Council hearing Wednesday. The country was expected to hold legislative elections more than a year ago, but has failed to create an electoral commission despite a new agreement signed in December. Nigel Fisher, the recently [...]
Susan Rice Front-Runner for National Security Advisor Post
March 11, 2013 | Posted by
U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice has emerged as the likely choice to be President Barack Obama’s national security advisor. Shortly after Obama won last year’s election Rice was considered the favorite to become Secretary of State, but was met with stern criticism from congressional Republicans for the handling of the Benghazi consulate attack last year. Rice [...]
Russia Accuses U.S. Of Supporting ‘Extremists’ in Syria
March 1, 2013 | Posted by
Russia remains one of Syria’s few allies as rebel forces continue to gain international support. A statement from Moscow condemned U.S.Secretary of State John Kerry’s commitment to providing $60 million in nonlethal aid to opposition forces who are determined to cast out the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Kerry met with Syrian opposition leaders [...]
UN Refuses to Compensate Cholera Victims in Haiti
February 22, 2013 | Posted by
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that the United Nations will not compensate families affected by the 2010 cholera outbreak that has claimed thousands of lives, despite evidence that the organization was responsible for the outbreak. U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said that the UN cannot be held accountable due to an international agreement that grants [...]
UN Fears Civilian Retaliation in Mali
February 13, 2013 | Posted by
International troops continue to arrive in Mali, but U.N. officials believe that the key to long-term peace is the preservation of human rights on both sides of the conflict. A large portion of the Islamic extremists who rebelled against the government are Tuaregs who feel misrepresented by the Malian government. If the large ethnic group [...]
Obama Promises Swift Action After North Korea’s 3rd Nuclear Test
February 12, 2013 | Posted by
Despite threats from international diplomats, North Korea followed through with its third nuclear test, inciting an outcry from U.S. officials and the United Nations Security Council overseeing the situation. Though North Korea claims the tests are for the purpose of developing nuclear energy technology, there is significant concern that the country is developing nuclear weapons. [...]
Sudan Signs Ceasefire Pact With Darfur Rebels
February 12, 2013 | Posted by
The government of Sudan and one of the main rebel factions in Darfur have signed a ceasefire agreement, the United Nations-African Union mediator announced today. “This is a major breakthrough in the road towards a comprehensive and lasting peace accord in Darfur,” said Aichatou Mindaoudou, who is also the Acting Joint Special Representative in the [...]
