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U.N. Brief

Get your insider’s guide to the biggest diplomatic event of the year as world leaders convene at the annual United Nations General Assembly. FP’s Colum Lynch and Robbie Gramer deliver a daily newsletter to your inbox for a week known as the “Super Bowl for diplomats.”

South Korean President Moon Jae-in addresses the U.N. General Assembly.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in addresses the U.N. General Assembly.

Stalled North Korea Talks Show UNGA’s Limits

World leaders have little to celebrate on the 30th anniversary of South Korea and North Korea joining the United Nations.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
United Nations headquarters
United Nations headquarters

NGOs Frozen Out of U.N. Building

Civil society representatives are blocked over COVID-19 concerns, even as foreign diplomats and journalists pass freely through the headquarters.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
Taliban leaders walk toward a Moscow press conference.
Taliban leaders walk toward a Moscow press conference.

The Taliban Want a Seat at the U.N.

A Taliban letter to the secretary-general sets the stage for a diplomatic showdown.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
U.S. President Joe Biden and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Sept. 20.
U.S. President Joe Biden and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Sept. 20.

Inside Biden’s Presidential UNGA Debut

The U.S. president has yet to convince the world that a post-Trump America is here to stay.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer, Amy Mackinnon
UN-General-Assembly-Biden-Modi-Bolsonaro-1500x1000
UN-General-Assembly-Biden-Modi-Bolsonaro-1500x1000

Coronavirus Threat Hangs Over U.N. General Assembly

Some world leaders traveling to New York are ignoring coronavirus safety protocols.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron sit together at the G-7 summit in Cornwall, United Kingdom, on June 13.
U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron sit together at the G-7 summit in Cornwall, United Kingdom, on June 13.

Spat With France Overshadows Biden Debut at UNGA

France recalls its envoys to Washington and Canberra over a dispute ahead of the major U.N. summit.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
U.S. President Donald Trump attends a luncheon hosted by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 24.
U.S. President Donald Trump attends a luncheon hosted by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 24.

A Week of U.N. Diplomacy Overshadowed by Impeachment Probe

The inquiry into Trump’s Ukraine call has sidelined some of the ongoing work at UNGA.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 73rd U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 25 in New York.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 73rd U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 25 in New York.

Despite Impeachment Probe in Washington, U.N. Business Carries on in New York

As Trump leaves UNGA, the meetings continue.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
Displayed on a monitor, U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters on Sept. 24 in New York.
Displayed on a monitor, U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters on Sept. 24 in New York.

Impeachment Inquiry Clouds Trump’s U.N. Display

Impeachment news hangs over the 74th U.N. General Assembly, but there is still plenty happening in New York.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the U.N. General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 25, 2018.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the U.N. General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 25, 2018.

Trump Takes Center Stage at U.N. Summit

The U.S. president’s third UNGA address could be more toned down than before.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
People march as they take part in a strike to demand action on the global climate crisis on Sept. 20 in New York City.
People march as they take part in a strike to demand action on the global climate crisis on Sept. 20 in New York City.

U.N. Summit Opens With Dire Warnings on Climate Change

The U.N. General Assembly begins today with a major climate summit. Over 100 world leaders will attend, but there’s one glaring absence.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
Foreign Policy illustration/Getty Images
Foreign Policy illustration/Getty Images

The World Comes to the U.N.—but the U.S. Is Largely Missing

Trump to skip climate summit to focus on his Christian base.

U.N. Brief |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
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China and Saudi Arabia Reinforce Economic Ties
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