Under The Radar

Here you will find stories about some of the vital but less-obvious developments involving international organizations.

Street renamed to honor murdered journalist
By Ronald Powers - June 15, 2022

Saudis in the U.S. capital now have a daily reminder of the unconscionable brutality prompting President Joe Biden to label Saudi Arabia a “pariah” nation.
Regimes target dissidents across national borders
By Ronald Powers - June 2, 2022

Assassination, assault, unlawful deportations, spyware and family intimidation are some methods authoritarian regimes use against activists and dissidents.
Heftier hurricanes, simmering summers, wilder wildfires
By Ronald Powers - May 20, 2022

Now here’s a climate change twist: the U.S. weather agency — forecasting lots of Atlantic hurricanes — finds reducing air pollution causes more hurricanes.
Paris climate treaty goal on ‘life support’
By Arete News - March 21, 2022

The world is “sleepwalking” towards ruin as the coronavirus and Russia’s war in Ukraine put a 1.5 degrees C. limit further out of reach, the U.N. chief said.
China backs Russia in challenge to NATO
By Arete News - February 4, 2022

The leaders of Russia and China called on NATO to rule out Eastern European expansion and criticized other security blocs around the Asia Pacific region.
Projected 17% rise in 2022 emergency aid
By Arete News - December 2, 2021

Some 274 million people will need emergency humanitarian aid in 2022 due to war, conflicts, hunger, climate change and the pandemic, the U.N. said.
Potential surge in Europe virus deaths ahead
By Arete News - November 22, 2021

Europe is again at the pandemic’s center with COVID-19 now the leading cause of death on the continent, WHO reported, as nations tighten preventive measures.
New Cold War in science and tech feared
By Arete News - October 7, 2021

Leaders of a science diplomacy foundation say they are working to prevent a new Cold War from being fought over new uses for science and technology.
U.N. report warns of ‘catastrophic’ climate failure
By Arete News - September 17, 2021

Governments must be far more ambitious about cutting greenhouse gases to avoid catastrophically overheating the planet, according to a new U.N. report.
Taliban’s grip imperils aid for Afghan civilians
By John Heilprin - August 16, 2021

Humanitarian aid agencies and U.N. leaders scrambled to protect civilians in Afghanistan while calling on the Taliban to end fighting and provide assurances.
Berlin forum cites ‘progress’ in Libyan unity
By Arete News - June 23, 2021

Calling it “a new phase for peace in Libya,” Germany and the U.N. ended a conference with diplomats expressing confidence in Libya’s rebuilding.
Challengers for U.N. chief lack official standing
By Arete News - April 29, 2021

The U.N. is considering one candidate for secretary-general in 2022 — incumbent António Guterres — despite the emergence of self-nominated challengers.
UNRWA reinstated as U.S. aid recipient
By Arete News - April 7, 2021

The United States pledged to restore aid to the Palestinians, almost two-thirds of it earmarked for the United Nations’ relief agency for Palestinian refugees.
Summit marks U.S. re-entry to climate fight
By Arete News - January 25, 2021

A global summit’s mood was perhaps best reflected in the U.N. chief beaming at the new U.S. climate envoy’s pledge to restore American climate leadership.
U.S. and U.N. roles at odds in Western Sahara
By John Heilprin - January 11, 2021

Pro-independence leaders in Western Sahara want the Biden administration to resolve a contradiction: U.S. policy runs counter to U.N.-led peace efforts.
New U.N. ‘day’ to aid efforts against epidemics
By Arete News - December 7, 2020

After holding its first high-level session on the pandemic, the U.N. General Assembly created a new “international day” to prevent health crises like COVID-19.
Trump pushes New START before election
By John Heilprin - October 6, 2020

U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to be pushing for a foreign policy win before Election Day, seeking to renew a nuclear arms control deal with Russia.
U.S. unilaterally restores U.N. sanctions on Iran
By Arete News - September 21, 2020

The U.S. followed through on its threat to unilaterally restore sanctions against Iran, defying widespread international criticism.
Rebuilding tourism industry a U.N. priority
By Arete News - August 25, 2020

The pandemic could eliminate 40% of global tourism’s 300 million jobs — one of every 10 — and trillions of dollars essential to developing economies.
Cybercrime and terrorism profit off pandemic
By Arete News - August 6, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is being exploited to radicalize would-be terrorists and to target vulnerable networks used by hospitals and healthcare systems.
COVID-19 ‘most severe’ health emergency
By Arete News - July 27, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic is the worst global public health emergency to be declared under a 13-year-old international law for deadly disease outbreaks.