Is This an Existential Moment for the United Nations? | To Save Us From Hell

Is This an Existential Moment for the United Nations? | To Save Us From Hell

Author: Global Dispatches January 8, 2026 Duration: 23:05

The Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Monday in response to American military operations in Venezuela that captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife— forcing dozens of countries to publicly respond to one of the most audacious U.S. actions in recent memory.

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's UN ambassador suddenly landed in MAGA crosshairs? We discuss all this—and more!

https://www.globaldispatches.org/40percentoff

 


For years, Global Dispatches--World News That Matters has carved out a unique space, going beyond the headlines to explore the forces and figures shaping our world. This isn't about rapid-fire soundbites; it's a series of substantive conversations with the people directly involved-diplomats negotiating treaties, reporters on the ground in conflict zones, and scholars analyzing long-term trends in global development and international relations. The discussions delve into the "why" behind the news, providing context that is often missing from daily reporting. Recognized by The Guardian as a podcast designed to make you smarter, it serves an audience that feels underserved by superficial summaries. Each episode is built on the premise that complex events deserve nuanced explanation. By listening, you gain access to a clearer, more informed perspective on pivotal issues, from geopolitical shifts to humanitarian crises. The podcast’s longevity as an independent program speaks to its consistent quality and dedicated following. Tune in for a deeper, more thoughtful analysis of the stories that truly matter, presented through the voices of those who know them best.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters
Podcast Episodes
How Science Can Build a Nuclear Free Future | Zia Mian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:23
My guest today, Zia Mian is co-director of Princeton University's Program on Science and Global Security. He's a physicist who has long studied nuclear weapons and nuclear security. In our conversation Zia Mian explains…
India and Pakistan: A Fragile Ceasefire Holds—But for How Long? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:21
On April 22, militants launched a brutal assault on a tourist site in Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing 26 civilians in what became the deadliest terrorist attack in India in nearly 15 years. What followed was the most…
The Nuclear Threat From Space | Bill Hennigan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:25
What would actually happen if a nuclear weapon were detonated in space? This isn't just the stuff of science fiction — it's a scenario that researchers have studied closely, and the implications are deeply unsettling. Fr…
Can The UN Ban AI-Powered "Killer Robots" Before It's Too Late? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:29
I've been hanging around the United Nations these past few days attending events related to consultations on lethal autonomous weapons systems—so-called killer robots. These are AI-powered weapons systems that can select…
Inside the Hunt for Hidden Nuclear Weapons | Eliana Johns [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:49
Eliana Johns hunts for nuclear weapons. She's a senior research associate at the Federation of American Scientists, where her team uses open-source intelligence — or OSINT — to uncover secrets about countries' nuclear ca…
In Memoriam: The Time Joseph Nye Told Me His Life Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:22
The legendary international relations scholar Joseph Nye passed away on May 7th at the age of 88. He's best known, of course, for developing and advancing the idea of "soft power"—the ability to influence others and shap…
What We Know About Trump's Nuclear Policy | Alexandra Bell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:14
In just the first four months of the Trump administration, several pillars of American foreign policy have been upended — USAID dismantled, most foreign aid frozen, and the rules-based international trade system thrown i…
When Treaties Work: The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:02
The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, better known as the CTBT, expressly prohibits its signatories from testing nuclear weapons. It was opened for signature in 1996 and is now one of the most widely adopted treaties in the…

«1...678910