With some findings of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in question, four experts debate how much the premier climate science review panel may need to make changes.

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.

The Obama administration should follow its endorsement of India's bid for UN Security Council membership by initiating a plan for Council expansion based on clear criteria for permanent membership, writes CFR's Stewart Patrick.

Unless more investment is forthcoming, the MDG goals promoting gender equality and reducing maternal mortality may remain unmet, says CFR'S Gayle Tzemach Lemmon.

President Obama's UN General Assembly speech exhorted delegates to support human rights, democratic reforms, and the Mideast peace process. He will likely see a sluggish response, writes CFR's James Lindsay.

The Security Council's approval of tougher sanctions on Iran marks a diplomatic victory for the Obama administration. But Iran retains momentum, too, and the ability to continue its uranium enrichment program, writes CFR's James Lindsay.

CFR's Michael Levi says the Copenhagen climate deal is a meaningful step forward but that its ultimate value remains to be determined.

An interactive map examining conflict zones on the African continent.

As the United Nations faces increasing pressure to end violence in Syria and resolve tensions with Iran over its nuclear program, former senior U.S. official William H. Luers discusses challenges in UN diplomacy and prospects for intervention.

A UN Security Council resolution calling for Syria's President Assad to step down faces stiff Russian opposition. Expert Andrew Tabler examines Russia's motives, Syria's internal fissures, and the prospects for ongoing violence.

Palestinians are committed to a two-state solution despite losing a UN membership bid, says Mideast expert Daniel Levy, but moving forward requires addressing Israeli political entrenchment and a lack of Palestinian unity.

President Obama's decision to intervene in Libya is hobbled by poor timing and muddled objectives, but charges that the war is illegal are unfounded, says CFR's James Lindsay.

Key technical, political, and legal issues remain unresolved ahead of the UN climate talks in Cancun. CFR's Michael Levi says the best outcome would be to firm up the Copenhagen Accord commitments on emissions cuts, verification, and financing for developing states.

The UN's sixty-fifth General Assembly opens this week amid rumblings about the UN's relevance. But CFR's Stewart Patrick says that while there are many international venues for multilateral cooperation, UN efforts on the part of refugees, development, and other issues remain essential.

The latest round of UN and U.S. sanctions on Iran are unlikely to push Iran to negotiations, says sanctions expert Meghan O'Sullivan, which means the U.S. and its allies will need to look at options including military force, among others.

Despite lingering uncertainty about the outcome of Copenhagen's climate negotiations, there are signs that carbon markets will continue to make gains, says World Bank carbon finance expert Joelle Chassard.

Thomas J. Miller, a veteran U.S. diplomat, says President Barack Obama should highlight the value of multilateral diplomacy and the tension between north and south Sudan in his UN General Assembly speech on September 23.

Ray Takeyh, CFR’s top Iranian expert, draws mixed policy messages from the latest National Intelligence Estimate on Iran.

George Perkovich, a leading expert on Iranian nuclear issues, says the latest IAEA report only underscores the importance of increasing efforts to resolve the nuclear enrichment dispute diplomatically.

Jan Eliasson, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for Darfur, says any new political agreement on Darfur must reflect the realities on the ground.