Professor of International Security Studies at Yale University
Professor of International Security Studies at Yale University and author of The Parliament of Man: The Past, Present, and Future of the United Nations
PROFILE
Paul Kennedy
Guest
FROM Paul Kennedy
To the Point
New Faces, Old Issues at the UN President Bush and Iran's President Ahmadinejad were both in the General Assembly chamber this morning as the UN began its 62 nd session . Ahmadinejad will speak later today. President Bush told the General Assembly that the US will increase sanctions against the repressive military government of Myanmar—or Burma. He said nothing about the Iraq war and barely mentioned Iran, but he also said he'd consider enlarging the UN Security Council, possibly to make Japan a permanent member. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of South Korea opened today's session , his first as the UN leader. As the world body meets for the 62 nd time, will new leaders from Europe and a new Secretary General make a difference? Is the UN living up to its founding expectations?
To the Point
Korean Nominated as Secretary General as Defiant DPRK Conducts Nuclear Test North Korea says it has successfully conducted its first underground nuclear test, an action that has reportedly brought joy to the people and the army of that country, and condemnation and concern from the international community. President Bush has spoken to the leaders of South Korea, China, Japan and Russia, all of whom agreed that North Korea's actions "are unacceptable and deserve an immediate response." Meantime, the United Nations Security Council has nominated South Korea's Ban Ki-moon to replace Kofi Annan as the next Secretary General. The General Assembly will vote this week. If approved, Ban would become take over the leadership role on January 1 of 2007. Guest host Diana Nyad explores the role Ban will play in the UN's "responsibility to protect" and the fine line he'll walk over negotiations with North Korea.
To the Point
Diplomacy and Political Theater at the United Nations This week, the United Nations has been a forum for America-bashing by the leaders of Iran and Venezuela . Speaking to the General Assembly, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez branded President Bush "the devil," name-calling former President Clinton called "undignified and not helpful." But Venezuela is Latin America's leading candidate for one of five rotating seats on the Security Council . What will that mean for the Council and choosing a new Secretary General ?
Recommended
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.