NATO secretary general's successor rises on agenda ahead of summit
The debate over who should succeed Jens Stoltenberg, a Norwegian former prime minister, has become complicated. It's also possible he could agree to a fourth contract extension.
Security & Geopolitics
The dynamic landscape of global security is defined by diplomatic efforts and international frameworks that strive to maintain peace. Our reporting examines how nations and international organizations navigate geopolitical tensions, address emerging threats, and work to uphold the post-World War II rules-based order. Follow our reporting on @aretenews.bsky.social.
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Slovenia outdistances Belarus in U.N. vote that reflects war in Europe
The U.N. General Assembly's vote for the next five seat-holders on the powerful Security Council for 2024-25 delivered a resounding win to an E.U. member over a Russian ally.
Syrian government's isolation eases with Arab bloc summit appearance
Syrian President Bashar Assad, formerly ostracized by most Arab nations, was warmly readmitted to the Arab League.
U.N. chief rebukes Russia at a meeting chaired by its top diplomat
Twice in a week U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has criticized two powerful members of the world body: Russia for invading Ukraine and the U.S. for spying on his phone calls.
Putin, charged with war crimes, takes over U.N.'s most powerful arm
Russia's status as U.N. Security Council president is bound up in a frozen-in-time power structure dating to World War II.
NATO chief: Finland 'safer,' military alliance 'stronger' with accession
The addition more than doubles the length of 1,215 kilometers of borders that NATO member nations share with Russia.
Ukraine to secure first IMF loan package due to wartime spending
Ukraine ran up a huge deficit mainly due to military spending, and had to rely on its central bank printing more money.
Status quo 'totally unacceptable' in quake-hit, war-ravaged Syria
The U.N.'s special envoy to Syria says an effective response to the earthquake "was hampered in part" by the war.
Western leaders' tensions with Russia, China dominate summit
U.S. and Chinese diplomats met for the first time since the U.S. shot down what officials called a Chinese surveillance balloon.
NATO allies to step up support for Ukraine's 'grinding war of attrition'
The move reflects the Ukrainian president's request for vastly more heavy weaponry and ammunition to launch an expected spring counteroffensive against Russia.
At Munich summit, a focus on democracy versus autocracy
Human rights has become "a major flashpoint in the growing systemic competition" between competing ideologies and governance systems.
ASEAN leaders' talks focus on peace in Myanmar and South China Sea
Southeast Asian foreign ministers sought to defuse conflicts from Myanmar's military, China's expanding footprint, and North Korea's missile testing.
Sweden’s NATO bid put in jeopardy after Quran burning in Stockholm
The Turkish president threw cold water on NATO’s expansion after protests in the Swedish capital by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.
Ukraine’s first lady presses Davos leaders for Western aid
Zelenska said it's outrageous that Russia's aggression can lead to thousands of civilians killed and millions of people displaced.
NATO and E.U. sign agreement to take partnership 'to the next level'
Building on two previous joint declarations between the organizations signed in 2016 and 2018, leaders said they would strengthen cooperation on a broad range of issues.
Headed to Davos: 2,700 leaders, CEOs, power brokers and activists
Next week's gathering focuses on cooperation in a fragmented world beset by war, hunger and health crises, and climate emergencies.