Gideon Rachman talks to Mark Malloch-Brown, former deputy secretary-general of the UN, about the UN's impact on global security, policy on migration and refugees, and climate change. They also discuss the challenges facing the UN, including accusations of genocide in Gaza and the deadlock over Ukraine in the Security Council. The podcast explores the underappreciated work done by UN institutions and the moral authority of the organization. It also delves into the leadership styles of different Secretary Generals and the role of the UN in global politics.
The United Nations plays a crucial, often unappreciated role in shaping policy on migration, refugees, and climate change.
Despite its flaws, the UN offers a level of moral authority in shaping global opinion on issues like war and peace.
Deep dives
The Crisis Facing the United Nations
The United Nations is facing a deep crisis as conflicts continue in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and other troubled areas. The UN often appears helpless in these situations. Peacekeeping operations are declining, and the UN Security Council is deadlocked over Ukraine. The variety of problems the UN faces highlights its extensive range of activities, including health, economics, peacekeeping, climate, and diplomacy.
The Troubles in Gaza and UNRWA
The situation in Gaza presents a significant challenge for the UN, particularly its agency UNRWA. Accusations of UNRWA employing Hamas members and their involvement in attacks have led several Western countries to suspend funding for the organization. The potential consequences are dire, as UNRWA is crucial for delivering assistance to the people of Gaza. It is a complex situation for Israel as well, as they may have to take on the role of directly providing aid to Gaza, despite their strained relationship with the territory.
The Role and Relevance of the United Nations
While the UN faces criticism and challenges, it also plays indispensable roles in various areas such as health, refugees, and climate change. The UN's competence and importance in these fields are often overlooked or underappreciated. However, there is concern about the UN's decreasing authority, as other bodies like the G20 encroach on areas traditionally within the UN's purview. Despite the UN's flaws, it remains hard to replace and offers a level of moral authority in shaping global opinion on issues like war and peace.
Gideon talks to Mark Malloch-Brown, former deputy secretary-general of the UN and president of the Open Society Foundations, about the role of the United Nations. While it sometimes struggles to make an impact on matters of global security, it plays a unique and often unrecognised role in shaping policy on migration, refugees and climate. Clip: The Guardian