With the world facing the largest number of armed conflicts since 1946, the Trump administration’s continuing assault on the United Nations has prevented the organization from fulfilling its peacekeeping duties. A recent report by UN Secretary-General António Guterres shows how the organization has few, if any, levers to fight back.
PRETORIA—As global leaders gather for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the world is facing the largest number of armed conflicts since 1946, with 65 ongoing in 35 countries. There have been more battle-related deaths since 2021 than in the previous two decades. This has put UN peacekeeping under pressure, while a new age of warfare, featuring drones, autonomous weapons systems, and AI-driven cyber tools, has further complicated the task of protecting vulnerable civilians and advancing political solutions.
