Palestinians' UN bid for statehood recognition has both perils and benefits for the languishing Mideast peace process, experts say. It could escalate regional tensions, but it has added urgency to reopening negotiations.

With the U.S. military overstretched and Washington facing acute fiscal pressures, the United States must nurture effective international partnerships to help prevent and manage violent conflicts that threaten U.S. interests, concludes a new Council Special Report.

Richard N. Haass argues,"Any [Palestinian] 'victory' at the UN would come with a heavy price tag."

Overshadowed by the issue of Palestinian statehood, President Barack Obama offered a strong defense of Israel but little in the way of specifics to revive the Mideast peace process, writes CFR's James Lindsay.

President Obama gave this address to the UN General Assembly on September 21, 2011.

The Palestinian plan to ask the UN for statehood in September has provoked intense anxiety in Jerusalem and Washington.

In this globalized world, countries will need to cooperate on policies that extend across borders to address issues that affect them all, including conflict prevention and peacemaking. The authors of this report assess the strengths and weaknesses of international institutions and provide a set of practical recommendations for how the United States can strengthen the global architecture for preventive action by partnering with those organizations.

Foreign Policy's Colum Lynch discusses how the fall of an aging generation of Middle East and African autocrats, swept from power by a wave of uprising, will impact this year's UN General Assembly.

The World Health Organization has gained prominence for its success in battling diseases such as polio and malaria, but is challenged by an unwieldy mission and strained resources in a landscape of competing organizations.

This year's daunting UN challenges for President Obama: navigating the Palestinian statehood thicket and convincing Americans that UN diplomacy matters, writes CFR's Stewart Patrick.

Stewart M. Patrick says President Obama's address to the United Nations General Assembly this year will be his most challenging yet.

The bid for Palestinian statehood at the UN sets President Mahmoud Abbas on a collision course with Hamas, the United States, and Israel. It is crucial to get back on track to a negotiated settlement, say experts.

As world leaders prepare to convene for the sixty-seventh session of the UN General Assembly, they will face renewed calls for UN recognition of Palestine and a redoubling of diplomatic efforts in a volatile Middle East.

Ray Takeyh states, "The Islamic Republic has entered its post-authoritarian stage."

Theresa May discusses UK counterterrorism policy, as well as security cooperation with the United States and other international actors.

Theresa May discusses UK counterterrorism policy, as well as security cooperation with the United States and other international actors.

Ryan Kaminski says that time and time again, criticism of the new UN Human Rights Council has been, at best, half-baked.

The Washington Post's Colum Lynch analyzes the Palestinian quest for UN state recognition, which highlights the role of the international organization despite its inability to resolve the Israeli-Palestine conflict.

Robert Danin argues that by adopting a publicly confrontational approach, the Palestinians risk undermining the goodwill and security that Fayyad's nation-building program has so painstakingly created.

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon discusses the challenges facing Michelle Bachelet as the leader of UN Women.