World Review | October 2019
Developments in North America Bloomberg May Join US ElectionsBillionaire and former New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has begun signalling he may enter the Democratic presidential race. A former moderate Republican and worth an estimated $ 52 billion, he had made noises earlier about a presidential run. After former vice-president Joe Biden entered the fray, Bloomberg […]
World Review | September 2019
Developments in North America Impeachment Prelude to US ElectionsThe Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, on September 25 announced her intention to initiate impeachment proceedings against the United States President, Donald Trump. The process is guaranteed to consume the Trump administration for at least the next two to three months. Trump will be […]
World Review | August 2019
G-7 Summit: Trump Almost Behaves Himself Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the guest leaders invited to the Group of Seven summit in mid-August in Biarritz, France. The leaders of India, Australia, Chile and Spain were asked to join by French President Emmanuel Macron along with a number of African countries. After two disastrous summits […]
World Review | July 2019
US Elections: Democratic Hopefuls on Foreign Policy The United States is slipping gradually into election mode. The incumbent President Donald Trump has already declared his intention to run again. His only rival for the Republican nomination is ex-governor Bill Weld whose run is seen as a mark of protest rather than a genuine campaign. The […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | August 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Security Council addresses evolving situation in Afghanistan• Climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying • UN Human Rights Council’s Emergency session on Afghanistan• India’s Presidency of the Security Council • Fear of 76th UN General Assembly being a possible ‘super spreader’ event August is ‘lean’ season for the UN system. However, […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | July 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Winds of Change in Security Council Dynamics? • Fishy Business Continues• Vienna nuclear talks in limbo until new Iranian President takes over • Many gain UNESCO recognition, one loses it• Sneak Peek of India’s Presidency of the Security Council In July, the Security Council, which returned to the practice of “in […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | June 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Security Council remains mute while UNGA adopts Myanmar vote • Uncertainty about IAEA-Iran nuclear monitoring hovers over Vienna talks• Cyber Security makes a formal entry in the Security Council • Revised waiver proposal meandering at WTO • Elections, re-elections, appointments and re-appointments In June, there was a return of regular “in person” diplomacy […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | May 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Israel-Palestine issue figures in many UN fora • 74th World Health Assembly • New hope for WTO waiver proposal• Extension of IAEA and Iran understanding gains more time for JCPOA negotiations • A sneak peek of what awaits multilateral fora in June During May, several multilateral platforms were more active than […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | April 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • TRIPS waiver proposal gains outside support but remains stalled at the WTO • OPCW suspends rights and privileges of Syria • Leaders summit sets tone for higher climate ambition at CoP 26 • Roadmap for return to compliance with JCPOA under preparation • UNSG unable to find common ground to revive Cyprus […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | March 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Joint WHO-China report unable to provide conclusive answers • A small step at the UN on cyber security • Events in Myanmar remain on active UN agenda • Human Rights Council again adopts resolution on Sri Lanka • National ‘Ring fencing’ of key UN posts Joint WHO-China report unable to provide conclusive answers […]