CFR.org’s latest Crisis Guide examines the tragedy in Sudan’s Darfur region. Introduced through a compelling multimedia essay comprised of original and some never-before-seen footage from seven of the world’s leading photojournalists, Crisis Guide: Darfur depicts the human, political, military, and historical realities in the region, and provides links to deeper resources from the Council’s think tank and other organizations around the world.

A dispute over the seizure of fifteen British naval personnel by Iran's government threatens to further erode relations between Tehran and the West.

This paper from Oxfam reviews the performance of the United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in its first year. The Fund is designed provide a rapid response to sudden-onset disasters, and to bridge the funding gaps in under-funded emergencies.

Discussion paper from The Stanley Foundation that argues that international organizations are premised on their ability to make the realm of nations more, rather than less, orderly. In US domestic politics, this is often portrayed as an all-or-nothing proposition, says the paper: "the United Nations’ treaties can be seen as worthless because they cannot stop those who are bent on ruthless destruction." The Foundation argues that the US needs a set of more realistic expectations that neither oversells nor underestimates the value of such international organizations.

Save the Children UK critiques the new UN bureaucracy designed to coordinate humanitarian relief in this report.

Ban Ki-moon travels to the African Union summit in the hopes of convincing Sudan to accept an AU-UN force in Darfur.

The new secretary-general of the United Nations should make genocide prevention a centerpiece of his reform agenda, concludes a new Council Special Report. "Ban Ki-moon should take the General Assembly's endorsement of the responsibility to protect as a mandate and mission statement for the UN and build a reform program that is designed to implement it."

New UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon faces the mammoth tasks of handling several international crises and UN reform as he takes over a job with ever-growing responsibilities.

The UN reports that during the reporting period, the government of Iraq has continued its efforts aimed at strengthening the administration of justice and building up the rule of law in the country. However, urgent action is needed to strengthen rule of law institutions, in line with the new constitution, the government's priorities and Iraq's international obligations. This is central to creating conditions for re-establishing law and order in the country and ensuring the success and sustainability of security, national reconciliation and development efforts. In particular, the ability of new security plans to effect real change in Iraq will depend on a comprehensive reform program that can strengthen the rule of law and deliver justice for all Iraqis.

The passage of UN sanctions marks the latest of several recent setbacks for Tehran, reflecting concern abroad about its nuclear program and internally about the government’s ability to cope with social and economic demands.

CFR Senior Fellow Lee Feinstein discusses the transition at the United Nations and what to expect from incoming Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

Kofi Annan remains something of an enigma as he winds up ten years in the sometimes withering global spotlight. Some say his fierce loyalty to the United Nations and international order helped maintain the UN’s relevancy. Yet time and again management mistakes appear to have undermined his goals.

John Prendergast of the International Crisis Group and Erin Mazursky, executive director of Students Taking Action Now: Darfur, discuss the escalating crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region, Chad, and the Central African Republic.