A CROSSROADS FOR THE UN

The recent speeches by world leaders to the UN General Assembly were by in large notable for three reasons. First, most countries acknowledged the 75th anniversary of the international organization, praising its good work while recognizing the need for reforms. Second, most also expressed a commitment to multilateralism in global affairs, citing the ongoing novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as a compelling justification for international cooperation. Third, the U.S. administration, however, as expressed by President Donald Trump himself, used the venue to denigrate the organization and attack China in particular.

In a typical U.S. presidential election year one can expect normal niceties and diplomacy to be sacrificed for whatever wedge issue candidates are using to shave votes from