Richard Gowan

Richard Gowan, a non-resident fellow at NYU's Center on International Cooperation, and Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, dive into the UN's role in the Middle East. Gowan argues that UN forces act as critical buffers in the Israel-Palestine conflict to prevent escalation. In contrast, Neuer challenges this view, claiming the UN's actions often lack neutrality and exacerbate tensions. They explore the effectiveness of UNRWA and peacekeeping forces while debating their impact on regional stability and humanitarian issues.

Richard Gowan, the U.N. Director for the International Crisis Group, shares his insights on the recent U.N. General Assembly meetings. He discusses world leaders' responses to the escalating conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. The conversation highlights how U.S.-China-Russia tensions influence global diplomacy and the UN's capabilities. Gowan also examines the challenges of Haiti's stabilization efforts and advocates for reforms in the Security Council, alongside the potential impact of U.S. elections on the future of international cooperation.

From August 19, 2020: Late last week, the UN Security Council voted down a resolution, offered by the United States, to indefinitely extend a conventional arms embargo on Iran set to expire in October. The lifting of the arms embargo was one of the sweeteners that was part of the Obama administration's Iran nuclear agreement. Now, the Trump administration has announced it will begin the process of triggering the snapback of UN sanctions on Iran using procedures outlined in UNSCR 2231—a move that could be the death knell for the Iran nuclear agreement. Margaret Taylor sat down with Lawfare senior editor Scott Anderson and Richard Gowan, the UN director for the Crisis Group, an independent research and advocacy organization that recently released a report on the U.S. attempt to reimpose sanctions, to talk through the legal and political issues, as well as what will unfold on this matter in the weeks and months to come.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/c/trumptrials.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the United Nations, Russia's obstruction of efforts to respond to its invasion of Ukraine is finally sparking serious interest in an issue that has long simmered in the background of global politics: reform of the UN Security Council to make it a larger and more inclusive body. In contrast to prior U.S. administrations, the Biden administration is at the tip of the spear of this effort and may be preparing to release a reform proposal of its own in the coming weeks.To better understand this forthcoming proposal and the context that has led to it, Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson sat down with Richard Gowan, an experienced UN watcher and current UN Director at the International Crisis Group. They discussed why the Ukraine conflict has sparked an interest in Security Council reform, what reform is likely to look like, and who stands to benefit the most.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week marked the end of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, an annual event that brings world leaders together in New York and often serves as both a forum for and a barometer of international politics. This year's session was particularly notable, both because it was the first in-person session since the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic and because it was the first session since what many see as the greatest crisis in the United Nations history: Russia's invasion of Ukraine. To learn more about what went down at the UNGA, Lawfare senior editor Scott R. Anderson sat down with Richard Gowan, the UN director for the International Crisis Group. They discussed how the Ukraine conflict shaped events at the session, how major powers like China and the United States responded, and what it might all mean for the future of both the conflict in Ukraine and the United Nations itself. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.