Summaries and links to the seminal United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions for the post-colonial period, focusing on those related to the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East.

A profile of the UN's senior leadership position--the organization's secretary-general. What tasks are incumbent on the official, and how have past secretary-generals interpreted the role?

The United Nations was responsible for establishing universal human rights standards, but its image in recent years has been tarnished by the record of its main body charged with safeguarding rights.

An increasingly chaotic political situation in Darfur may require a more inclusive round of negotiations than currently envisioned.

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing the largest urban growth in the world, but most development efforts continue to target rural communities.

Despite a spotty record of effectiveness, Western states continue to promote UN sanctions in cases ranging from North Korea to Iran. But the UN Security Council is more divided than ever about implementing these coercive measures.

The largest humanitarian program in UN history was also victimized by the organization's worst corruption scandal. The oil-for-food case has triggered moves toward reform at the UN but the shockwaves have just begun to reach capitals of nation- states and corporate headquarters.

Kara C. McDonald and Stewart M. Patrick offer recommendations for U.S. leadership in United Nations Security Council reform and expansion.

Delegates at climate talks underway in South Africa would be better off addressing matters such as a global climate fund rather than trying to preserve the contentious Kyoto Protocol, says CFR's Michael Levi.

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.

The annual rotation of non-permanent members to the UN Security Council this year is likely to present difficulties for U.S. interests, including containing nuclear proliferation, writes CFR's Kara C. McDonald.

Surveys during the past decade show consistent support among Americans for the UN's role in the world order but also worry about its dysfunctions. CFR's Stewart Patrick says President Barack Obama should echo these sentiments in his UN address.

The election of the United States to the much criticized UN Human Rights Council must be used by Washington to help revive the UN's entire rights architecture, writes CFR's Kara McDonald.

Four experts contribute their thoughts about the role of the United Nations and the future of global governance in this Expert Roundup.