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September 9, 2024

United Nations
The UN Security Council

The UN Security Council is the premier global body for maintaining international peace and security, but it faces steady calls for reform to better meet twenty-first-century challenges.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the Security Council via video amid Russia’s war.

October 29, 2024

Lebanon
What Is Hezbollah?

The Iran-backed Shiite militia was considered the most powerful non-state group in the Middle East, but an Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah in 2024 has considerably weakened it.

 A man bearing a Hezbollah flag leads ranks of militants through Beirut’s southern suburb.

September 18, 2024

Global
What Are the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

The United Nations’ ambitious development agenda aims to protect people and the planet via seventeen goals. But experts say governments aren’t doing enough to implement them.

Students attend a lesson at a school in the Tillabéri region of Niger.

October 17, 2024

Palestinian Territories
What Is Hamas?

The Palestinian militant group struggled to govern the Gaza Strip before launching a surprise attack on Israel in 2023. Now facing Israel’s military campaign to destroy it, Hamas’s future is in doubt…

Gun-toting Hamas militants ride a vehicle amid a massive crowd of the group's supporters

September 19, 2024

United Nations
What Is the UN General Assembly?

The General Assembly hosts a much-watched debate of world leaders annually. Its 2024 meeting is expected to emphasize climate change, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the wars in the Gaza Strip…

A large UNGA sign is photographed in front of the United Nations buildings.

October 22, 2024

Latin America
Can Amazon Countries Save the Rain Forest?

The Amazon Rainforest plays a critical role in global climate health, but accelerating deforestation continues to raise alarm. How are the region’s governments responding?

An aerial view of a section of the forest destroyed by illegal fires in Amazonas State, Brazil.

May 28, 2024

Palestinian Territories
Who Governs the Palestinians?

Power in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the so-called Palestinian territories, has been divided among three entities: a governing body called the Palestinian Authority, the militant group Hamas, a…

Palestinians wave their national flag as they rally beneath images of President Mahmoud Abbas and his predecessor, Yasser Arafat

August 29, 2024

United Nations
The Role of the UN Secretary-General

The United Nations’ top leadership position has broad authority to steer the organization’s agenda, but its impact has varied widely since 1946.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is escorted by staff at a displaced persons camp in Somalia.

October 7, 2024

Technology and Innovation
What Is Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing, once the realm of science fiction, could bring massive economic gains. But it also threatens to upend national security, and governments are racing to prepare.

An engineer shows a wafer with photonic chips for quantum computing at the company Q.ANT.

June 24, 2024

Sanctions
What Are Economic Sanctions?

For many policymakers, economic sanctions have become the tool of choice to respond to major geopolitical challenges such as terrorism and conflict.

Protestors hold signs supporting Ukraine and calling for sanctions on Russia