International forums in 'decline' from war and spies in Europe
Swiss intelligence points to a "continuing high espionage threat" particularly in Geneva's hub of multilateralism.
Geopolitics
The world's multilateral efforts to solve global challenges are based on a post-World War II political and economic order that is struggling to navigate the 21st century's multipolarity and rise of authoritarianism: the U.S.-China rivalry, Russia's war in Ukraine, Israel and Hamas, the West's conflicts with North Korea and Iran, the crisis in Afghanistan, coups in Africa, and unrest in the Americas over deep-rooted injustices, biases and inequalities.
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NATO secretary general's successor rises on agenda ahead of summit
The debate over who should succeed Jens Stoltenberg, a Norwegian former prime minister, has become complicated. It's also possible he could agree to a fourth contract extension.
Slovenia outdistances Belarus in U.N. vote that reflects war in Europe
The U.N. General Assembly's vote for the next five seat-holders on the powerful Security Council for 2024-25 delivered a resounding win to an E.U. member over a Russian ally.
Syrian government's isolation eases with Arab bloc summit appearance
Syrian President Bashar Assad, formerly ostracized by most Arab nations, was warmly readmitted to the Arab League.
U.N. chief rebukes Russia at a meeting chaired by its top diplomat
Twice in a week U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has criticized two powerful members of the world body: Russia for invading Ukraine and the U.S. for spying on his phone calls.
Putin, charged with war crimes, takes over U.N.'s most powerful arm
Russia's status as president of the U.N. Security Council, despite its leader waging an illegal war on Ukraine and facing war crimes charges, is bound up in a frozen-in-time power structure dating to the end of World War II.
NATO chief: Finland 'safer,' military alliance 'stronger' with accession
The addition more than doubles the length of the 1,215 kilometers of borders that NATO member nations share with Russia. Finland and Russia share a 1,340-kilometer border.
Ukraine to secure first IMF loan package due to wartime spending
Ukraine incurred a huge deficit mainly due to its enormous military spending, and had to rely on its central bank printing more money to loan to the government.
Male-only parliaments are becoming a thing of the past
Six nations now have gender parity or a slight women's majority: Rwanda (61.3%), Cuba (53.4%), Nicaragua (51.7%), and Mexico, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates (50%).
Status quo 'totally unacceptable' in quake-hit, war-ravaged Syria
"The tragic reality is that an effective response was hampered in part by challenges that relate directly to the unresolved issues at the heart of the conflict," the U.N. special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, told the U.N. Security Council.
Western leaders' tensions with Russia, China dominate summit
U.S. and Chinese diplomats met for the first time since the U.S. shot down what officials called a Chinese surveillance balloon.
NATO allies to step up support for Ukraine's 'grinding war of attrition'
The move reflects Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request for vastly more heavy weaponry and ammunition – not to mention missiles, tanks and fighter jets – to launch an expected spring counteroffensive against Russian forces.
At Munich summit, a focus on democracy versus autocracy
Human rights has become "a major flashpoint in the growing systemic competition" between competing ideologies and governance systems, according to the summit's annual report.
ASEAN leaders' talks focus on peace in Myanmar and South China Sea
Southeast Asian foreign ministers sought to defuse conflicts from Myanmar's military takeover and China's expanding footprint, along with North Korea's aggressive missile testing.
Sweden’s NATO bid put in jeopardy after Quran burning in Stockholm
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan threw cold water on NATO’s expansion in the wake of weekend protests in the Swedish capital by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.
Ukraine’s first lady presses Davos leaders for Western aid
Zelenska, whose nation has now been at war with Ukraine for nearly a war, said it's outrageous that Russia's aggression can lead to thousands of civilians killed, millions of people displaced and disruptions to global food and energy supplies.