<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Global Dispatches: To Save Us From Hell]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our podcast about the United Nations]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/s/to-save-us-from-hell</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!r-vl!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Febfee1ee-624a-4830-90f0-2ef3d8014102_1178x1178.png</url><title>Global Dispatches: To Save Us From Hell</title><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/s/to-save-us-from-hell</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:30:52 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Mark L Goldberg, LLC]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[globaldispatches@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[globaldispatches@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[globaldispatches@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[globaldispatches@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[Let the Race for UN Secretary General Begin! ]]></title><description><![CDATA[On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the four candidates for UN Secretary-General made their case at the UN General Assembly.]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/let-the-race-for-un-secretary-general-9a2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/let-the-race-for-un-secretary-general-9a2</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:48:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/195385325/5bd28e3d049f88edef94782e8deac124.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the four candidates for UN Secretary-General made their case at the UN General Assembly. Across twelve hours spanning two days, they took questions from UN member states and civil society groups eager to learn more about their priorities, proclivities, and leadership styles should they become the next UN Secretary-General on January 1, 2027.</p><p>It was a marathon &#8212; and my <em>To Save Us From Hell</em> co-host Anjali Dayal and I watched it all! In today&#8217;s episode, we tell you what we learned.</p><p>To kick things off, we explain how the process for selecting a UN Secretary-General works &#8212; and how these hearings fit into it. We then break down what we heard from each of the candidates: Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, and Macky Sall, bringing you the key highlights and takeaways. Consider this your curtain-raiser for a year of public campaigning and backroom dealmaking that will result in the selection of the next UN Secretary-General in the coming months.</p><p>This episode is free for all and can also be found later today on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/global-dispatches-world-news-that-matters/id593535863">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7i8AYUeJqhBSHCYLqlzA8C">Spotify</a>, and wherever you listen.</p><p>The selection of the next Secretary General is a major story in international diplomacy and I plan on covering it to the finish line &#8212; whenever that may be (but hopefully before January 1!)</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The UN Has a Plan to Open Hormuz (Two of Them, Actually.) ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Plus: A shakeup in the Secretary General Race and Zohran visits the UN]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-un-has-a-plan-to-open-hormuz-860</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-un-has-a-plan-to-open-hormuz-860</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:09:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/4e2bcc28-479c-4276-b216-69a8117d8b76_1318x1108.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The global ramifications of this Third Persian Gulf War are worsening around the world. Oil shortages are rocking economies in South Asia, with the contagion soon to spread throughout the rest of Asia and the world. Another key concern is fertilizer prices, which are surging right ahead of planting season as a consequence of the bottleneck at the Strait of Hormuz.</p><p>Earlier this week, the UN Secretary-General&#8217;s office announced a &#8220;Task Force&#8221; comprised of key international diplomats &#8220;to develop and propose technical mechanisms specifically designed to meet humanitarian needs in the Strait of Hormuz.&#8221; The key focus will be creating a mechanism by which fertilizer and humanitarian goods can safely make their way to and from the Persian Gulf.</p><p>Meanwhile, at the Security Council, Bahrain is pushing for a robust resolution that would compel Iran to open the strait&#8212;potentially under the threat of force.</p><p><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-un-has-a-plan-to-open-hormuz">In this episode of </a><em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-un-has-a-plan-to-open-hormuz">To Save Us From Hell</a></em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-un-has-a-plan-to-open-hormuz">,</a> Anjali Dayal and I explain these proposals and weigh whether or not they stand a chance of success. We also discuss the precariousness of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon after the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers in 24 hours, the latest surprises in the race for UN Secretary-General, and what happened when two socialists (Zohran Mamdani and Ant&#243;nio Guterres) met at the UN for the first time.</p><p><strong>The full episode is available below the or wherever you get podcasts. But first you need to get a paid subscription.  </strong></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>Or get a discounted subscription with this link</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=192974171&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=192974171"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-un-has-a-plan-to-open-hormuz-860">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The UN Has a Plan to Open Hormuz (Two of Them, Actually.) ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Plus: a shakeup in the Secretary General Race and Zohran comes to the UN!]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-un-has-a-plan-to-open-hormuz</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-un-has-a-plan-to-open-hormuz</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 02:01:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/192960818/8a9caa8e19ed49cb3f2223cb7434e7c2.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=192960818&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=192960818"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p>The war in the Middle East has claimed its first UN casualties: three Indonesian peacekeepers in Lebanon were killed in under 24 hours. With Israel intent on occupying the same part of southern Lebanon that UN peacekeepers are meant to patrol, can the peacekeeping mission even continue? Meanwhile, in New York, a Secretary-General-led diplomatic effort to open the Strait of Hormuz for humanitarian and fertilizer shipments is taking shape, while the Security Council debates authorizing the use of force to escort food through the strait. Do either of these efforts have a meaningful chance of success? Anjali and Mark discuss all this, as well as the latest &#8212; unexplained &#8212; shakeup in the Secretary-General race.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-un-has-a-plan-to-open-hormuz">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[How the US is Justifying the Iran War to the UN ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Plus: The US stands alone at the Commission on the Status of Women AND we have yet another candidate for Secretary General]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/how-the-us-is-justifying-the-iran-050</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/how-the-us-is-justifying-the-iran-050</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:41:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6376f9e9-2d65-4008-98f8-42e90904e359_867x578.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of the fundamental precepts of the United Nations Charter is that waging war against another UN member state is simply not permitted. It&#8217;s illegal. There are, however, some narrow exceptions &#8212; and here the United States is playing a game of legal legerdemain. In the first segment this <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/how-the-us-is-justifying-the-iran">week&#8217;s episode of </a><em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/how-the-us-is-justifying-the-iran">To Save Us From Hell,</a></em> we break down the formal legal justification the Trump administration invoked at the United Nations to defend its bombing campaign against Iran. Does it hold up? And more importantly, how do other countries view this retroactive justification for America and Israel&#8217;s war of choice? We also discuss a potential UN diplomatic intervention in the Strait of Hormuz that is gaining some traction, modeled on one of the UN&#8217;s successes during the Russia-Ukraine war.</p><p>Later in the show, we examine why the United States is standing alone at the Commission on the Status of Women, casting lone &#8220;no&#8221; votes on a host of measures intended to promote gender equality. Finally, we discuss the newest entrant in the race to replace Ant&#243;nio Guterres as secretary-general, Virginia Gamba, and how her nomination may shake up the race.</p><p><em>The full episode is available immediately below the fold for our paying subscribers. You can  support our work at full price or get a discount subscription using the button below.</em> </p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=191599930&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=191599930"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/how-the-us-is-justifying-the-iran-050">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[How the US is Justifying the Iran War to the UN ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Plus: The US stands alone at the Commission on the Status of Women AND we have yet another candidate for Secretary General]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/how-the-us-is-justifying-the-iran</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/how-the-us-is-justifying-the-iran</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:30:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/191598388/f5bdda2e3ca9d6b8c51e54a041823712.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of the fundamental precepts of the United Nations Charter is that waging war against another UN member state is simply not permitted. It&#8217;s illegal. There are, however, some narrow exceptions &#8212; and here the United States is playing a game of legal legerdemain. In the first segment of our show, we break down the formal legal justification the Trump administration invoked at the United Nations to defend its bombing campaign against Iran. Does it hold up? And more importantly, how do other countries view this retroactive justification for America and Israel&#8217;s war of choice? We also discuss a potential UN diplomatic intervention in the Strait of Hormuz that is gaining some traction, modeled on one of the UN&#8217;s successes during the Russia-Ukraine war.</p><p>After the fold, and for paying subscribers, we examine why the United States is standing virtually alone at the Commission on the Status of Women, casting lone &#8220;no&#8221; votes on a host of measures intended to promote gender equality. Finally, we&#8230;</p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/how-the-us-is-justifying-the-iran">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The War in Iran Comes to the United Nations ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Plus: Why is Melania Trump presiding over the Security Council?]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-war-in-iran-comes-to-the-united-86b</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-war-in-iran-comes-to-the-united-86b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:46:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!r-vl!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Febfee1ee-624a-4830-90f0-2ef3d8014102_1178x1178.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We cover a lot of ground in <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-war-in-iran-comes-to-the-united">this week&#8217;s episode of </a><em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-war-in-iran-comes-to-the-united">To Save Us From Hell</a></em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-war-in-iran-comes-to-the-united">!</a> There are two new entrants to the race to succeed Ant&#243;nio Guterres as the next UN Secretary-General; Cindy McCain announced she is stepping down as head of the World Food Programme, meaning there will soon be a vacancy at the top of one of the largest UN agencies&#8212;one typically led by an American; and we dissect a bizarre Security Council meeting earlier this week chaired by&#8230;Melania Trump. But we begin with an extended discussion of how the new war in Iran is impacting diplomacy at the United Nations&#8212;and what role the UN may play as this conflict evolves.</p><p>The full episode is immediately available after the fold for our paying subscribers. You can use the discount link to get 40% off a subscription, or, if you&#8217;d prefer, support <em>Global Dispatches</em> and <em>To Save Us From Hell</em> at full price.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=190057761&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=190057761"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-war-in-iran-comes-to-the-united-86b">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The War in Iran Comes to the United Nations]]></title><description><![CDATA[We cover a lot of ground in this week&#8217;s episode of To Save Us From Hell! There are two new entrants to the race to succeed Ant&#243;nio Guterres as the next UN Secretary-General; Cindy McCain announced she is stepping down as head of the World Food Programme, meaning there will soon be a vacancy at the top of one of the largest UN agencies&#8212;one typically led by an American; and we dissect a bizarre Security Council meeting earlier this week chaired by&#8230;Melania Trump. But we begin with an extended discussion of how the new war in Iran is impacting diplomacy at the United Nations&#8212;and what role the UN may play as this conflict evolves.]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-war-in-iran-comes-to-the-united</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-war-in-iran-comes-to-the-united</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:39:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/189903688/a0e19309f6fe1a00bf310e2d8547bd89.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We cover a lot of ground in this week&#8217;s episode of <em>To Save Us From Hell</em>! There are two new entrants to the race to succeed Ant&#243;nio Guterres as the next UN Secretary-General; Cindy McCain announced she is stepping down as head of the World Food Programme, meaning there will soon be a vacancy at the top of one of the largest UN agencies&#8212;one typically led by an American; and we dissect a bizarre Security Council meeting earlier this week chaired by&#8230;Melania Trump. But we begin with an extended discussion of how the new war in Iran is impacting diplomacy at the United Nations&#8212;and what role the UN may play as this conflict evolves.</p><p>The full episode is immediately available after the fold for our paying subscribers. You can use the discount link to get 40% off a subscription, or, if you&#8217;d prefer, support <em>Global Dispatches</em> and <em>To Save Us From Hell</em> at full price.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=189903688&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=189903688"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p></p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-war-in-iran-comes-to-the-united">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Board of Peace v United Nations | US To Attack Iran? |Plus, Trump's Very Odd Pick to Lead Outreach to International Organizations ]]></title><description><![CDATA[It was an odd juxtaposition: Trump&#8217;s inaugural Board of Peace gathered in Washington, D.C.]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/board-of-peace-v-united-nations-us</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/board-of-peace-v-united-nations-us</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:47:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/188729436/6cdaf8c4914dbb749d40bcf4403538cc.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>It was an odd juxtaposition: Trump&#8217;s inaugural Board of Peace gathered in Washington, D.C. as the U.S. appeared to be readying for war with Iran. In this week&#8217;s <em>To Save Us From Hell</em> episode, Mark and Anjali discuss why this Board of Peace can&#8217;t really compete with the Security Council, and what its advent says about international relations today. They then discuss a looming American attack on Iran, and what that suggests about the diminishing role of international law and the much-lamented rules-based international order. Finally, they unpack a bizarre confirmation hearing for Trump&#8217;s pick for assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs&#8212;who appears to be too racist for this particular role.</p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/board-of-peace-v-united-nations-us">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Secretary General Race Heats Up — And the Epstein Files Hit the UN]]></title><description><![CDATA[Plus, The UN's Kafkaesque Funding Quagmire]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-secretary-general-race-heats-32a</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-secretary-general-race-heats-32a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 08:28:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg" width="972" height="700" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:700,&quot;width&quot;:972,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:64417,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/i/187022114?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n7Pa!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8035395-25be-4ef6-9470-cc7a9da2b25e_972x700.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Michelle Bachelet enters the S-G race. Credit: OHCHR Photo</figcaption></figure></div><p>For the first time in history, multiple countries have jointly nominated a candidate for UN Secretary General. Earlier this week, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico endorsed Michelle Bachelet&#8212;a former president of Chile, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and a survivor of brutal repression under the Pinochet regime. The move is unprecedented&#8212;and potentially transformative. What does it signal about the race to replace Ant&#243;nio Guterres, and how soon might more rival candidates emerge?</p><p>Anjali and Mark unpack what this coordinated nomination reveals about shifting power dynamics inside the UN. They then turn to the latest Epstein document dump, which has ensnared several prominent diplomats and sent shockwaves through the diplomatic world. Finally, they confront a looming institutional crisis: the UN&#8217;s cash reserves are so depleted that even the viability of this year&#8217;s UNGA is now being called into question.</p><p>The full episode of <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/s/to-save-us-from-hell">To Save Us From Hell</a> is immediately available below the fold for our <em>glorious</em> paid subscribers. You can also listen <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-secretary-general-race-heats">directly in the Substack App</a>, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you list. Here&#8217;s a discount link</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=187022114&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=187022114"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Or support the show at full price</strong></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-secretary-general-race-heats-32a">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Secretary-General Race Heats Up — And the Epstein Files Hit the UN]]></title><description><![CDATA[Plus, The UN's Kafkaesque Funding Quagmire]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-secretary-general-race-heats</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-secretary-general-race-heats</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:53:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/187019249/d2c9a5b52a2981ca72c852c2181d42fe.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=187019249&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=187019249"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p></p><p>For the first time in history, multiple countries have jointly nominated a candidate for UN Secretary General. Earlier this week, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico endorsed Michelle Bachelet&#8212;a former president of Chile, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and a survivor of brutal repression under the Pinochet regime. The move is unprecedented&#8212;and potentially transformative. What does it signal about the race to replace Ant&#243;nio Guterres, and how soon might more rival candidates emerge?</p><p>Anjali and Mark unpack what this coordinated nomination reveals about shifting power dynamics inside the UN. They then turn to the latest Epstein document dump, which has ensnared several prominent diplomats and sent shockwaves through the diplomatic world. Finally, they confront a looming institutional crisis: the UN&#8217;s cash reserves are so depleted that even the viability of this year&#8217;s UNGA is now being called into question.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-secretary-general-race-heats">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Stories That Will Drive The UN's Agenda in 2026 | Plus: Hi Mark Carney! ]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Canadian PM apparently listens to the show...]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-stories-that-will-drive-the-uns</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-stories-that-will-drive-the-uns</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:03:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!r-vl!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Febfee1ee-624a-4830-90f0-2ef3d8014102_1178x1178.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><strong>Quick personal message to Mark Carney:</strong> Hi! We appreciated your remarks at Davos.  So much so that we made the very same points two weeks ago &#8212; using very similar language. In fact, your <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/mark-carneys-jaw-dropping-davos-speech">blockbuster Davos Speech</a> seemed to quote nearly verbatim from<a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/is-this-an-existential-moment-for"> our last episode!</a> Merci for apparently being a loyal listener and giving our ideas such a massive audience. </em></p><p><em>(For all you loveable <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskCanada/comments/1jios84/i_hear_canadians_refer_to_themselves_as_hosers/">hosers</a> who happen <strong>not</strong> to to be a head of government, here&#8217;s a discount code so that you too can be in the know.)  </em></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=185458372&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=185458372"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p><em>(But if like Mark Carney you <strong>do</strong> happen to lead middle power, you should probably just subscribe at full price.)</em> &#128071;</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p><em>On with this week&#8217;s episode description&#8230;</em></p><p>Can Donald Trump&#8217;s new Board of Peace really compete with the Security Council? Will we even be discussing it a week or two from now, or will Trump and other world leaders simply move on? And what&#8217;s with the Board&#8217;s logo, which looks almost like a parody of the United Nations emblem?</p><p>Mark and Anjali break down the newest&#8212;and perhaps strangest&#8212;entrant into the multilateral peace and security space, answering these questions and more. But first, they take stock of the major stories set to dominate the agenda at the United Nations as the world body closes out its 80th year.</p><p><em>As always, the<a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-stories-that-will-drive-the-un"> full episode</a> is immediately available for paying subscribers below the fold, <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-stories-that-will-drive-the-un">directly in the Substack App</a>, and across all podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. </em></p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-stories-that-will-drive-the-uns">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Stories that Will Drive the UN Agenda in 2026 | Plus, Can Trump's "Board of Peace" Compete with the Security Council?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Can Donald Trump&#8217;s new Board of Peace really compete with the Security Council?]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-stories-that-will-drive-the-un</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-stories-that-will-drive-the-un</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:56:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/185476326/62dac54fe84d110a6616cbd583acd81b.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Can Donald Trump&#8217;s new Board of Peace really compete with the Security Council? Will we even be discussing it a week or two from now, or will Trump and other world leaders simply move on? And what&#8217;s with the Board&#8217;s logo, which looks almost like a parody of the United Nations emblem?</p><p>Mark and Anjali break down the newest&#8212;and perhaps strangest&#8212;entrant into the multilateral peace and security space, answering these questions and more. But first, they take stock of the major stories set to dominate the agenda at the United Nations as the world body closes out its 80th year.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-stories-that-will-drive-the-un">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Is This an Existential Moment for the United Nations?
]]></title><description><![CDATA[Trump&#8217;s Venezuela move forces an epic showdown]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/is-this-an-existential-moment-for-dd7</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/is-this-an-existential-moment-for-dd7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:23:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!r-vl!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Febfee1ee-624a-4830-90f0-2ef3d8014102_1178x1178.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Monday in response to American military operations in Venezuela that captured Nicol&#225;s Maduro and his wife&#8212; forcing dozens of countries to publicly respond to one of the most audacious U.S. actions in recent memory.</p><p>On <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/is-this-an-existential-moment-for">today&#8217;s episode of </a><em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/is-this-an-existential-moment-for">To Save Us From Hell,</a></em> Anjali and Mark break down what unfolded in the chamber: which countries issued the strongest condemnations, which were more restrained, and which attempted to thread the needle between defending a core principle of the UN Charter and avoiding the wrath of Donald Trump. </p><p>We also ask a larger question: can an American foreign policy openly premised on hemispheric domination, resource extraction, and territorial expansion coexist with a United Nations designed to prevent exactly that? Is this an existential moment for the UN? Can the rules-based international order survive? And why has Somalia&#8217;s UN ambassador suddenly landed in MAGA crosshairs? We discuss all this&#8212;and more!</p><p>The<a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/is-this-an-existential-moment-for"> full episode</a> is available exclusively to our amazing paying subscribers. You can unlock the episode immediately using this discount link!</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=183869153&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=183869153"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p>Or, if you&#8217;d like to support our work here on Global Dispatches at full price use this link.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>Full episode below!</p><p> <em>Paying subscribers can also access it directly in Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.</em> </p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/is-this-an-existential-moment-for-dd7">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Is This an Existential Moment for the United Nations?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Trump&#8217;s Venezuela move forces a showdown]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/is-this-an-existential-moment-for</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/is-this-an-existential-moment-for</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:03:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/183799270/1ceae28b1f9895b687cc02e219f7c0fd.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=183799270&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=183799270"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p>The Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Monday in response to American military operations in Venezuela that captured Nicol&#225;s Maduro and his wife&#8212; forcing dozens of countries to publicly respond to one of the most audacious U.S. actions in recent memory. </p><p>Anjali and Mark break down what unfolded in the chamber: which countries issued the strongest condemnations, which were more restrained, and which attempted to thread the needle between defending a core principle of the UN Charter and avoiding the wrath of Donald Trump. They also ask a larger question: can an American foreign policy openly premised on hemispheric domination, resource extraction, and territorial expansion coexist with a United Nations designed to prevent exactly that? Is this an existential moment for the UN? Can the rules-based international order survive? And why has Somalia&#8217;s UN ambassador suddenly landed in MAGA crosshairs? We discuss all this&#8212;and more!</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p></p><p></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/is-this-an-existential-moment-for">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Anjali Addresses the Security Council! | Plus: Rafael Grossi Gets "The New Yorker" Profile Treatment ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our 50th To Save Us From Hell episode just dropped!]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/anjali-addresses-the-security-council-87b</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/anjali-addresses-the-security-council-87b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:15:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg" width="1170" height="530" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:530,&quot;width&quot;:1170,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:83081,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/i/181999974?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gjAM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28128ad1-5f91-458c-bed2-7ffd73d3691d_1170x530.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"><strong>UN Photo/Loey Felipe </strong>Anjali Dayal of &#8220;To Save Us From Hell Fame&#8221; addresses the Security Council.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Your very own <em><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/going-nuclear-without-blowing-up">To Save Us From Hell</a></em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/t/treatieswork"> </a>co-host Anjali Dayal briefed the United Nations Security Council on Monday! She was paired with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a special meeting of the Council dedicated to examining the role of the Secretary-General and the process for selecting Antonio Guterres&#8217;s successor. Anjali gives me a behind-the-scenes account of what it&#8217;s like to sit in the briefers&#8217; chair at the famous horseshoe table and shares highlights from the meeting.</p><p>After the paywall,  Anjali and I discuss a glowing <em>New Yorker</em> <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/going-nuclear-without-blowing-up">profile</a> of International Atomic Energy Agency chief&#8212;and UN Secretary-General candidate&#8212;Rafael Grossi. It&#8217;s certainly a PR coup for the Argentine, but does PR really matter when it comes to running for UN Secretary-General? We discuss!</p><p>And one more thing: this is the 50th episode of <em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/s/to-save-us-from-hell">To Save Us From Hell</a></em>&#8230;Fifty episodes of deep dives into power, politics, and the UN&#8217;s place in the world. Huge thanks to everyone who listens&#8212;and especially to our paid subscribers, who make this show possible. If you&#8217;ve been on the fence, now&#8217;s the moment: grab a paid subscription using the discount link below, get access to our full episodes and support the show with a cult following around the UN! And, of course, this subscription gives you ALL we have to offer here at <em>Global Dispatches.</em> </p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=181999974&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=181999974"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p>Or support the show at full price using.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>Full episode after the paywall</p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/anjali-addresses-the-security-council-87b">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Anjali Addresses the Security Council! | Plus: Rafael Grossi Gets "The New Yorker" Profile Treatment ]]></title><description><![CDATA[It's our 50th Episode !]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/anjali-addresses-the-security-council</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/anjali-addresses-the-security-council</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:12:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/181997410/57d38afe6d852616cc59f9a02fe97c16.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=181997410&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=181997410"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p>Your very own <em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/s/to-save-us-from-hell">To Save Us From Hell</a></em> co-host Anjali Dayal briefed the United Nations Security Council on Monday! She was paired with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a special meeting of the Council dedicated to examining the role of the Secretary-General and the process for selecting Antonio Guterres&#8217;s successor. Anjali gives co-host Mark Leon Goldberg a behind-the-scenes account of what it&#8217;s like to sit in the briefers&#8217; chair at the famous horseshoe table and shares highlights from the meeting.</p><p>After the paywall, Mark and Anjali discuss a glowing <em>New Yorker</em> <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/going-nuclear-without-blowing-up">profile</a> of International Atomic Energy Agency chief&#8212;and UN Secretary-General candidate&#8212;Rafael Grossi. It&#8217;s certainly a PR coup for the Argentine, but does PR really matter when it comes to running for UN Secretary-General? We discuss!</p><p>And one more thing: this is the 50th episode of <em>To Save Us From Hell</em>. Fifty episodes of deep dives into power, politics, and the UN&#8217;s place in the world. Huge thanks to everyone who listens&#8212;a&#8230;</p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/anjali-addresses-the-security-council">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[In a Stunning Turn, A United Security Council Visits Damascus ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Thirteen years after Syria shattered global diplomacy, the Security Council returns to the scene.]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/in-a-stunning-turn-a-united-security</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/in-a-stunning-turn-a-united-security</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:06:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png" width="1456" height="881" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:881,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:4003770,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/i/180714605?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!igcj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5404c9c-4655-45e3-a8af-5c02331ae334_1788x1082.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">The Security Council meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on December 4. Photo via office of the Syrian President</figcaption></figure></div><p>Around the United Nations, it is both reasonable and commonplace to decry the Security Council&#8217;s failures to confront the massive global crises of our day. The Council is <em>supposed</em> to be the place where conflict management happens&#8212;but all too often, the competing interests of veto-wielding members clash, leaving it unable to take meaningful action. Today, the most obvious examples are Ukraine and Gaza. But as Anjali Dayal and I discuss in <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-security-council-goes-to-syria">this new episode of </a><em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-security-council-goes-to-syria">To Save Us From Hell</a></em>, Syria is where the post&#8211;Cold War consensus at the Security Council completely unraveled, paving the way for the geopolitical divisions that stymie the Council to this day.</p><p><strong>Syria was the conflict that broke the Security Council.</strong></p><p>As anti-regime protests morphed into civil war in 2011, Russia quickly dug in its heels in defense of the Assad regime, putting it at odds with the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the civil war sparked a massive regional and international migration crisis&#8212;some 6 million Syrians fled abroad. But there was precious little the Council could do, owing to the deep divisions between Russia and the rest. Rather than serving as a forum for problem-solving (with a few notable exceptions, which we discuss in the episode), the Council became a venue for Samantha Power and her Russian counterpart to trade barbs. </p><p>This paralysis remained until <em>very</em> recently. In November, the Council voted to lift sanctions imposed on Ahmed al-Sharaa who became Syria&#8217;s president and de-facto leader following a stunning military victory over the regime of Bashar al Assad one year ago. </p><p>This is why it is so profoundly remarkable that, as I write this, the entire UN Security Council is in Damascus, on a trip organized by the Slovenian UN Ambassador. It is hard to overstate what a significant turning point this represents&#8212;both for the Security Council and the United Nations as a whole. For thirteen long years, the civil war in Syria was the largest and most brutal conflict in the world, and one that stymied the UN by exposing massive geopolitical rifts between key global powers. Now, all fifteen members are in Damascus, in an important show of unity. Anjali and I break down why this trip is so significant and what role the UN can play in supporting Syria&#8217;s democratic transition.</p><p><em>Also in <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-security-council-goes-to-syria">this episode:</a> we discuss shocking new revelations about the UN&#8217;s budget, and what the official &#8220;pre-launch&#8221; of the selection process for the next Secretary-General tells us about how the UN&#8217;s next leader will be chosen.</em></p><p>The full episode is available immediately below the fold for our paying subscribers. Here is a discount link.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=180714605&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=180714605"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p></p><p>And if you&#8217;d like to support <em>To Save Us From Hell</em> and all we do here at <em>Global Dispatches</em> at full price, use this link.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/in-a-stunning-turn-a-united-security">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Security Council Goes To Syria ]]></title><description><![CDATA[On December 4, the entire United Nations Security Council made an unprecedented trip to Syria.]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-security-council-goes-to-syria</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-security-council-goes-to-syria</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2025 22:00:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/180649683/ff1ff7159c8d0690689788fcf1bbe07a.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=180649683&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=180649683"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p>On December 4, the entire United Nations Security Council made an unprecedented trip to Syria. It is hard to overstate what a significant turning point this represents &#8212; both for the Security Council and the United Nations as a whole. For thirteen long years, the civil war in Syria was the largest and most brutal conflict in the world, and one that stymied the United Nations by exposing massive geopolitical rifts between key global powers. We may now look to Gaza or Ukraine as examples of paralysis at the Security Council &#8212; but it was Syria that first broke it.</p><p>Now, all fifteen members are in Damascus, in an important show of unity. Mark and Anjali break down why this trip is so significant and what role the UN can play in supporting Syria&#8217;s democratic transition.</p><p><em>After the paywall:</em> Mark and Anjali discuss shocking new revelations about the UN&#8217;s budget, and what the official &#8220;pre-launch&#8221; of the selection process for the next Secretary-General tells us about how the UN&#8217;s next leader will&#8230;</p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-security-council-goes-to-syria">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[What We Think About the Gaza Resolution at the Security Council ]]></title><description><![CDATA[On Monday evening, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2803, formally endorsing Trump&#8217;s peace initiative for Gaza.]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/what-we-think-about-the-gaza-resolution-7d0</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/what-we-think-about-the-gaza-resolution-7d0</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 01:39:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/179391385/ff181a4162a0411a6940fdefbbee637f.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Monday evening, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2803, formally endorsing Trump&#8217;s peace initiative for Gaza. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, with 13 votes in favor, none against, and two abstentions (from Russia and China), following several weeks of U.S.-led diplomatic wrangling. There are a few ways to interpret this resolution. On one hand, it finally offers a semblance of international unity on how to confront the crisis in Gaza and the devastation wrought by Israel&#8217;s conduct during the war. On the other hand, the resolution is half-baked. It contains ideas that might work in theory, but in the specific context of Gaza, it is difficult to see how they could be implemented.</p><p>In today&#8217;s (free!) episode of <em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/s/to-save-us-from-hell">To Save Us From Hell</a></em>, Anjali Dayal and I break down what we see as the key challenges to implementing this resolution. We discuss how it came together &#8212; and whether it can help this fragile ceasefire hold.</p><p>Most of <em>To Save Us From Hell</em> is behind a paywall, but we recorded this episode live and wanted to bring it to you for free. We&#8217;d love your support to keep this show thriving &#8212; please upgrade to a paid subscription!</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=179391385&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=179391385"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[What We Think About the Gaza Resolution at the Security Council]]></title><description><![CDATA[At long last there is a Security Council resolution on the disastrous conflict in Gaza. But will it make a difference?]]></description><link>https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/what-we-think-about-the-gaza-resolution</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/what-we-think-about-the-gaza-resolution</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Leon Goldberg]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:00:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/179258660/62ab6f6eb783978a3e4cdeb1f32a7fd2.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Monday evening, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2803, formally endorsing Trump&#8217;s peace initiative for Gaza. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, with 13 votes in favor, none against, and two abstentions (from Russia and China), following several weeks of U.S.-led diplomatic wrangling.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>The resolution does two key things:</p><p><strong>First</strong>, it creates a so-called &#8220;Board of Peace,&#8221; chaired by Donald Trump, which will serve as the transitional authority in charge of Gaza. Under the plan, Palestinian technocrats would manage day-to-day civil administration, but they would ultimately answer to &#8212; and be directed by &#8212; this board. Beyond that, details are scarce. The resolution sidesteps several crucial questions: Who will be on this board and how will that be decided? How much decision-making authority will Palestinians actually have? Will Palestinians even be represented on this board? (And if they are not given a meaningful say over Gaza&#8217;s future, will Gazans accept this body as a legitimate authority?)</p><p><strong>Second</strong>, the resolution authorizes an International Stabilization Force for Gaza, consisting of roughly 20,000 troops, mostly from Arab or Muslim-majority countries. This force is empowered to enforce the resolution, including by &#8220;stabilizing the security environment in Gaza&#8221; and ensuring the demilitarization of the territory, including decommissioning weapons held by non-state armed groups (i.e. Hamas). But unless Hamas voluntarily disarms, this means international troops would be tasked with forcibly disarming Hamas. </p><p>Again the resolution leaves a critical question unanswered: which countries are actually prepared to contribute troops &#8212; and potentially fight a war against Hamas? Like the unresolved issue of Palestinian political participation in Gaza&#8217;s reconstruction, the question of who might actually constitute this force remains conspicuously open.</p><p>There are a few ways to interpret this resolution. On one hand, it finally offers a semblance of international unity on how to confront the crisis in Gaza and the devastation wrought by Israel&#8217;s conduct during the war. On the other hand, the resolution is half-baked. It contains ideas that might work in theory, but in the specific context of Gaza, it is difficult to see how they could be implemented.</p><p>In today&#8217;s (free!) episode of <em><a href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/s/to-save-us-from-hell">To Save Us From Hell</a></em>, Anjali Dayal and I break down what we see as the key challenges to implementing this resolution. We discuss how it came together &#8212; and whether it can help this fragile ceasefire hold.</p><p>Most of <em>To Save Us From Hell</em> is behind a paywall, but we recorded this episode live and wanted to bring it to you for free. We&#8217;d love your support to keep this show thriving &#8212; please upgrade to a paid subscription! </p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=179258660&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Get 40% off forever&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.globaldispatches.org/subscribe?coupon=124f4694&amp;utm_content=179258660"><span>Get 40% off forever</span></a></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>