US Foreign Relations

Women’s Rights Are Human Rights: How Equality Became a US Foreign Policy Priority

In October 2015, the Security Council held a debate on women, peace and security to review the status of Resolution 1325, which was adopted on Oct. 31, 2000, to recognize the effects of war on women and built on the 1995 Beijing conference for gender equality. The essay’s experts map how the visions of the Beijing conference have been integrated into US foreign policy but the fact is, gender equality remains elusive globally. AMANDA VOISARD/UN PHOTO

UN-Watchers Expect the Worst From Trump at General Assembly Next Week

President Trump attending the United Nations lunch for world leaders at last year’s annual opening debate of the General Assembly, in the pre-Covid-19 universe. It is unclear if he is physically attending this year’s session; if not, he will likely deliver his remarks by video, like other leaders. Some UN-watchers are expecting more harsh criticism, or worse, from him on the UN. LI MUZI/XINHUA POOL PHOTO

All Fuss and No Substance on the Middle East ‘Breakthrough’

President Trump, joined by White House male senior staff members, announces an agreement of normalizing relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Aug. 13, 2020. The author of this essay argues that Israel and the UAE were already “quietly cooperating” for quite a while. JOYCE N. BOGHOSIAN/WHITE HOUSE PHOTO
Talking heads are showering Donald Trump with praise over his surprise unveiling of an agreement that he said would alter the Middle East landscape by building a diplomatic bridge between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.