September 27: Fall drama lineup at the UNGA

In which, the UN General Assembly meets in New York amidst surging global conflicts, Ukraine thinks it’s got a winning hand, and America’s political realignment takes some interesting turns.

Fall drama lineup at the UNGA

The UN General Assembly met in New York this week to attempt to forge a “Pact for the Future” amidst geopolitical tensions, expanding wars, and major concerns about America’s commitment to the world order it helped forge after World War 2.

The Pact got passed, but without Russian support, and the speaker’s dais saw the usual parade of politicking and theater as countries at war traded barbs and accusations, Ukraine called for Russia’s isolation, and President Joe Biden, in his final appearance at the UN, weakly implored world leaders to defend democracy. 

If my brief write up sounds like a downer, that’s because it is. The UN has an important role to play in global democracy, but the last couple of years appear to have drastically undermined the international body. And, it’s not just American weakness, but the rise of very aggressive hostile powers. Take Russia for example. Not only is Russia very publicly rejecting the UN’s efforts and maintaining a liberal system, but it’s continuing to build influence in Africa, and will now be arming the Houthi rebels in Yemen.