Alan Doss

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Articles

Building a Vision for the Future From the Tunnels of the Past

Aug 20, 2024 | passblue.com | Alan Doss

The American war in Vietnam ended in 1975, nearly half a century ago. Its scars may have faded but they have not disappeared. They are potent reminders of the limits of military power to impose a political peace. I recalled this truth when I recently visited the vast network of tunnels built by the Vietcong near Ho Chi Minh City (then named Saigon) during the Vietnam War.
Kenyan Court Temporarily Blocks UN-Backed Plan to Send Kenyan Police to Haiti

Oct 9, 2023 | passblue.com | Banjo Damilola |Alan Doss |Maria Luisa Gambale |Arthur Bassas

A high court in Kenya has temporarily blocked the United Nations Security Council-backed Multinational Security Support mission from going to Haiti. "That a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other country until October 24, 2023," the court paper, released on Oct. 9 and seen by PassBlue, reads in part.
Week Ending Oct. 6

Oct 6, 2023 | passblue.com | Arthur Bassas |Alan Doss |Maria Luisa Gambale |Dawn Clancy |Banjo Damilola

Welcome to This Week @UN, where we summarize the most important news emanating from the organization as well as promote our own articles that you may have missed, focusing on Haiti, Armenia/Azerbaijan, Cambodia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among others. We also report on a survey revealing how people in 30 diverse countries feel about democracies vs. authoritarian rule.
As the Presidential Election Approaches, Expect Worse Relations Between the Congo and the UN

Oct 4, 2023 | passblue.com | Alan Doss |Louise T. Blais |Joseph Chamie |Banjo Damilola |Dawn Clancy |Dulcie Leimbach

Mark Twain once said: "History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme." Twain's aphorism certainly applies to the United Nations' relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which have been characterized by periodic episodes of contention and crisis. Those relations are again in disrepair echoing crises from the past. As presidential elections approach in December, the prospects portend more fraught dynamics with the country and the UN. On Sept.
Russia's Bid to Rejoin the Human Rights Council Draws Heaps of Scorn

Sep 27, 2023 | passblue.com | Banjo Damilola |Alan Doss |Maria Luisa Gambale |Arthur Bassas

Despite its status as an international pariah over its invasion of Ukraine and strong opposition from dozens of countries at the United Nations, Russia is seeking to reclaim a seat on the Human Rights Council in an election slated for October. Russia was suspended from the body in April 2022, in the middle of its three-year term, by a vote in the General Assembly amid mounting accusations of war crimes.
UN Reform? Think 'Alice in Wonderland'

Sep 26, 2023 | passblue.com | Thomas G. Weiss |Alan Doss |Maria Luisa Gambale |Dawn Clancy |Banjo Damilola

Parachuting into the frenzy of Manhattan's East Side last week exposed the usual traffic snarls and not-so diplomatic cacophony about the United Nations. The noise included hackneyed pleas to alter the Security Council, often mixed with calls to draft a new Charter. Yet with current toxic politics, reform is a nonstarter.
Russia's Lavrov Loves to Blame the West; Why Estonia Wants a Special Court to Try Putin

Sep 23, 2023 | passblue.com | Anastasiia Carrier |Dawn Clancy |Alan Doss |Maria Luisa Gambale |Arthur Bassas

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov used his speech on Saturday, toward the end of the United Nations General Assembly's annual debate, to recite many of the Kremlin's favorite propaganda talking points. He blamed international problems on the "global West" and called for reforming the UN in favor of what Russia, its allies and many other countries say needs fairer representation.
UN Sends Mixed Signals on Niger, Which Is Unlikely to Speak at the General Assembly

Sep 21, 2023 | passblue.com | Dulcie Leimbach |Banjo Damilola |Alan Doss |Navi Pillay |Marta Santos Pais |Joseph Chamie

The United Nations Secretariat has received requests from both the ousted government of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held hostage in Niger's capital Niamey by the country's military since it staged a coup d'état on July 26, 2023, and from the coup-led regime of Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, to allow their respective representatives to speak at the world leaders' annual gathering of the UN General Assembly. It ends on Sept. 26.
Sierra Leone and Liberia Have Escaped the Conflict Trap

Feb 16, 2023 | passblue.com | Alan Doss |Dawn Clancy |Natalie Samarasinghe |Banjo Damilola

Last year was tough for United Nations peacekeeping operations, especially in Africa. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, local people demonstrated angrily against the perceived inability of peacekeepers to protect civilians in the east of the country. In Mali, the junta government became increasingly hostile to the peacekeeping presence.