International Organizations

Ask CFR Experts

Do you foresee UN Security Council reform in the near future, and if so, in what form?

Asked by Andrew K

The UNSC is unlikely to be altered any time soon. Any resolution to expand the UNSC would need to garner the support of two-thirds of the 193 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), or 129 votes, as well as endorsement by the five permanent members to succeed.

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Interview

A Growth Strategy for Greece

George Papandreou interviewed by Christopher Alessi

The EU and IMF should loosen the austerity requirements of Greece's bailout package to allow the indebted country to implement needed growth-enhancing policies, says former prime minister George Papandreou.

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What can international organizations do to support civil institutions in developing states?

Asked by Jack Glore, from William Paterson University

Civil institutions are critical pillars of democratic accountability—without them, democracy remains elusive, regardless of the laws written in constitutions. This is particularly true in countries dependent on oil and other natural resource wealth, and those struggling to realize democratic transitions.

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What are the potential benefits and pitfalls of the proposed U.S.-EU Free Trade Agreement?

Asked by Bill Wanlund
Author: Robert Kahn

A U.S.-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could provide a significant boost to U.S. jobs, growth and trade. Conversely, the primary pitfall to the agreement would be if it caused a retreat from multilateralism, divert trade trom emerging markets and weaken institutions such as the World Trade Organization.

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Foreign Affairs Article

Own the Goals

Author: John W. McArthur

Since their inception in 2000, The Millennium Development Goals have revolutionized the global aid business, using specific targets to help mobilize and guide development efforts. They have encouraged world leaders to tackle multiple dimensions of poverty simultaneously and provided a standard for judging performance. As their 2015 expiration looms, the time has come to bank those successes and focus on what comes next.

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