U.N. nuclear watchdog calls Israel-Iran attacks 'deeply concerning'
Iran retaliated - and Israel and Iran risked all-out war - after IAEA board's found Tehran breached nonproliferation duties.
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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Nuclear weapons spending globally surpassed $100 billion last year
Nuclear-armed nations possess about 12,400 nuclear warheads, but nearly 90% belong to Russia and the U.S.
U.N. overwhelmingly demands ceasefire and aid access in Gaza
An emergency session of the U.N. General Assembly led to adoption of a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
U.S. guts sophisticated efforts to return abducted Ukrainian children
Despite documentation and bipartisan concern, Trump is eliminating programs to locate and return these children.
DOGE's takeover of USIP failed. The ripple effects can hurt Trump policy.
Efforts to dismantle the U.S. Institute of Peace halted key programs in Guatemala against violence and social unrest.
U.S. announces sanctions on International Criminal Court judges
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio singled out four ICC judges in retaliation for actions against the U.S. and Israel.
People, wildlife, planet pay cost of convenience for single-use plastics
A plastic layer in Earth’s geological record may become our legacy, marking a moment we turned into a single-use planet.
Appeals court keeps U.S. tariffs for now as Trump sharply rebuffs judges
The Trump administration argued the political branches, not courts, 'make foreign policy and chart economic policy.'
Leaders seek ways for U.S. to help end Sudan's humanitarian crisis
The U.N. estimates 150,000 people were killed over two years in the war between paramilitary RSF and Sudanese Army.
From disease to pollution, health leaders asked to do more with less
Much of the financial angst this year was caused by the absence and impending withdrawal of the United States.
New U.S.-backed aid organization starts in Gaza amid deadly offensive
The GHF plan is based on concerns Hamas is seizing aid, but the U.N. and other aid groups say that is not a major factor.
Top U.S. diplomat defends key foreign aid cuts at House hearing
The Trump administration and its allies in Congress sparred with Democrats over America's spending and stature abroad.
World Health Assembly formally adopts hard-fought pandemic treaty
The head of the International Peace Institute praised the treaty negotiators for their 'amazing' critical problem-solving.
WHO's $1.7B budget shortfall forces major contractions and reshuffling
'To be blunt, we cannot do everything,' WHO's chief said in announcing a management overhaul and other cuts.
NATO's Latvian front expands drive for conscripts with growing support
The military draft now looms over young Latvians to bolster NATO-allied defenses, but many have started to embrace it.
U.N. chief: Structural reform in the works, but members need to pay up
A major financial squeeze is hitting the embattled U.N., which is owed $5.1 billion for its regular and peacekeeping budgets.