After 80 years, Atlantic Charter 2.0 is agreed
The U.S. and the U.K. signed a "revitalized" version of the 1941 Atlantic Charter to focus on 21st century risks such as cyber attacks and rising temperatures.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, started with 12 countries in 1949 and has since grown into a military alliance among Canada, the United States and 27 European nations. It requires members to commit to helping each other defend against any attack. NATO's initial purpose was to defend Western Europe from the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
U.N. chief to prolong deadlocked Cyprus talks
The U.N. chief remained determined to bring Cypriot leaders together despite acknowledging failure to surmount differences over how to restart formal talks.
NATO ministers agree to climate strategy shift
Foreign ministers to NATO agreed to elevate the importance of global warming and other major environmental threats in military planning and strategy.
U.N. says U.K. nuke plans would violate NPT
The U.K.'s decision to boost its nuclear warhead stockpile would breach the 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, a U.N. spokesperson said.
U.N. handoff to Libya's new unity government
The U.N.-backed administration in Libya transitioned to an interim government without a hitch in a process leading to nationwide elections in late December.
Biden reasserts primacy of trans-Atlantic ties
U.S. President Biden reconnected with NATO and the G-7 and told the Munich Security Conference "democratic progress is under assault" around the world.
Nuclear weapons ban enters into force
Advocates of world peace celebrated "EntryIntoForceDay" as the first legally binding treaty to ban nuclear weapons finally became international law.
Forum approves path to Libyan elections
A U.N.-backed Libyan forum voted to authorize a new way of choosing a transitional government that will hold nationwide elections in late December.
Biden U.N. pick signals U.S. return to alliances
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden’s selection of Linda Thomas-Greenfield to serve as ambassador to the U.N. signals America's pivot back to multilateralism.
Libyan sides agree to 2021 nationwide elections
Libya’s two main warring factions agreed to hold nationwide elections on December 24, 2021, the U.N. acting envoy for Libya said.
Libya reaches cease-fire deal at Geneva talks
Libya’s two main warring sides signed a U.N.-brokered cease-fire deal that also requires military pullouts by Russia, Turkey and other regional powers.
Trump pushes New START before election
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.
Belarus opposition seeks U.N. reinforcement
The opposition leader of Belarus asked the United Nations for help challenging longtime authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko's crackdown.
Trump shuns multilateral vaccine effort
The Trump administration said it will steer clear of a multilateral effort to accelerate the development and production of COVID-19 vaccines.
Trump to pull U.S. from surveillance treaty
The United States announced it is withdrawing from a treaty that permits mutual unarmed surveillance flights over 34 nations.
Trump proposes steep cuts to global health
U.S. President Donald Trump sent a US$4.8 trillion budget plan to Congress proposing deep cuts to international organizations and global health programs.