The Intelligence from The Economist

States of disarray: the UN at 80

62 snips
Sep 23, 2025
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

UN Still Shapes Diplomatic Symbolism

  • The UN remains the world's main diplomatic stage where states present unified positions on big issues like Palestine.
  • Recent recognitions of Palestine by European states show the UN still shapes international symbolism even if tactical effects are limited.
INSIGHT

America's Role Is Central To UN Stability

  • The UN faces an unusually precarious moment driven by funding cuts and the eroding belief in post-war borders.
  • Anton LaGuardia sees American neglect or hostility as the main contemporary threat to the institution's survival.
INSIGHT

Three Plausible Futures For The UN

  • Anton outlines three possible UN futures: a rogue independent UN, a decaying neglected UN, or a 'Trumpified' deal-driven UN.
  • Each scenario depends mainly on US behaviour, arrears, and geopolitical rows such as over Palestine or borders.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app