U.S. weapons disclosure raises stakes in global space arms debate
First acknowledgment of U.S. weapons in orbit comes as governments divide over how to prevent a space arms race.
United States
The United States is a major global power and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. It is a founding member of NATO and a key participant in a vast network of international organizations, including the G-7, G-20, OECD, and World Bank. It is currently re-evaluating its alliances and relationships, particularly with China and Russia, while also engaging in diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war and addressing new trade tensions with key partners like India.
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Democratic decline is raising risks of conflict, global report warns
Democracies declined for 11 consecutive years as rule of law weakens, key U.S. indicators fall to lowest levels in 50 years.
Turkey's COP31 president urges leaders to prioritize climate finance
Nation's top climate official calls for nations to pay for "concrete outcomes that address real challenges people face."
Iran nuclear dispute returns to Security Council on verification gap
IAEA says it lost continuity of knowledge over Iran's enriched uranium as Tehran says war made inspections impossible.
U.N. training merger to cut staffing by 26% under UN80 reforms
Consolidation of UNITAR and the U.N. System Staff College is expected to generate savings of up to $7 million.
Island nations' sovereignty in focus as seas rise and rivalries sharpen
Pacific island nations want to preserve vast maritime zones as climate change alters coastlines and competition intensifies.
Arms treaty monitor says export restrictions often lag civilian harm
New assessment finds transparency at its lowest level since the Arms Trade Treaty took effect as conflicts test the rules.
Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana takes lead in second U.N. chief straw poll
No candidate reaches nine-vote threshold as opposition grows and race to succeed António Guterres remains wide open.
U.S. plans partial U.N. dues payment as $5 billion remains unpaid
Washington would release $850 million toward regular and peacekeeping budgets while tying more payments to reforms.
ICC says new Trump sanctions threaten international legal order
Court and member-nation presidency condemn sanctions on ICC president and senior prosecutor as U.S. widens campaign.
Rights groups sue Trump administration over ICC sanctions
Four U.S. organizations challenge Washington’s sanctions as the war crimes court confronts member withdrawals.
Groups innovate to meet Ukraine's surging demand for prosthetics
Russia's war created unprecedented demand for prosthetic care, accelerating innovation and support for amputees.
Early U.N. straw poll puts Grynspan ahead in race to succeed Guterres
Confidential Security Council vote offers first indication of support as selection process for the next U.N. chief gears up.
The A.U.-E.U. Innovation Agenda at three: From declarations to delivery
The partnership aims to strengthen and connect innovation ecosystems. Three years on, its record is coming into focus.
ICC member nations remove prosecutor Karim Khan from office
The decision comes as the court is confronting both an internal governance crisis and an escalating U.S. campaign.
New U.S. tariffs put forced labor at the center of global trade dispute
The new duties recast forced labor as a trade issue, but critics question the legal rationale and their likely effectiveness.