Sign in

Mark Leon Goldberg

@markleongoldberg.bsky.social
2.1K followers 224 following 433 posts

Veteran international affairs journalist. Editor, UN Dispatch. Host and founder, Global Dispatches. www.globaldispatches.org

PostsRepliesMedia
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Going live for my annual UNGA preview at 3pm ET! open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com
LIVE SOON: What Will Drive the Agenda at UNGA 81? With Elizabeth Cousens
Starting Sep 17 at 3:00 PM EDT
021
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
I had a deep and substantive conversation with Secretary General candidate Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett about how she would lead the United Nations --> www.globaldispatches.org/p/un-secreta...
globaldispatches.org
UN Secretary General Candidate Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Guyana’s Ambassador to the UN explains how the tragic death of her brother shaped her views on access to healthcare—and her vision for global health.
021
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
@una-uk.bsky.social Where can I find the video of the Sec Gen event?
010
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
All signs are pointing to a very, very long term closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But -- and this is key -- there is a potential diplomatic path forward that's being floated around the United Nations www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-united...
globaldispatches.org
The United Nations Has a Blueprint for Opening the Strait of Hormuz
As shipping grinds to a halt and food and energy prices rise, the UN may have a tested diplomatic model for navigating the Hormuz standoff.
021
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
I'll be speaking with @oxfamamerica.bsky.social's Scott Paul open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com
LIVE SOON: How The Iran War Ignited A Global Humanitarian Emergency
Starting Mar 12 at 1:30 PM EDT
000
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
We seem to have forgotten that war is bad. www.globaldispatches.org/p/ten-days-o...
globaldispatches.org
Ten Days On, The Pathologies Of War Are Starting to Show
The law of unintended consequences is setting in.
021
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Even if Donald Trump declares victory and moves on, the instability this conflict has unleashed will not be easily contained www.globaldispatches.org/p/ten-days-o...
globaldispatches.org
Ten Days On, The Pathologies Of War Are Starting to Show
The law of unintended consequences is setting in.
000
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Like in 2003, this claim is directly contradicted by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
022
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
The very same Middle Eastern countries temporarily allied in their campaign against the common enemy of Iran are simultaneously competing against each other in a tangled mess of interlocking conflicts in this entire region. www.globaldispatches.org/p/how-the-wa...
globaldispatches.org
How the War in Iran Spreads Beyond the Middle East
Iran is poised to join a series of interlocking conflicts across two continents and 800 million people
122
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
News that the US is backing Kurdish fighters opens The Nightmare Scenario from a humanitarian perspective: Iran becomes one node in an series of interlocking proxy wars that stretches all the way to South Sudan, impacting some 800 million people. www.globaldispatches.org/p/how-the-wa...
globaldispatches.org
How the War in Iran Spreads Beyond the Middle East
Iran is poised to join a series of interlocking conflicts across two continents and 800 million people
1107
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Here's my full conversation with @dassakaye.bsky.social about where things may be headed: www.globaldispatches.org/p/off-ramps-...
globaldispatches.org
Off-Ramps or Escalation -- How Does The Iran War End?
Expert analysis from Dalia Dassa Kaye
072
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Melania Trump is scheduled to chair a meeting of the UN Security Council this afternoon on "Children, Technology and Education in Conflict" www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...
theguardian.com
Death toll from school bombing in southern Iran reportedly rises to 165
Strike on girls’ elementary school in south of Iran has killed 148 people and injured 95 others, according to Iran state media
121
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
I’ll be speaking with @dassakaye.bsky.social, author of the definitive book about US-Iran policy. What do you want to learn? open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com
LIVE SOON: Off-Ramps or Escalation -- How Does Iran War End?
Starting Mar 1 at 1:00 PM EST
031
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
As we saw with the Washington Post, the first to go will be the international correspondents. (And note, at Ted Turner’s insistence, they are not known as “foreign correspondents” at CNN)
020
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
This is a really helpful explanation of what is at stake in this dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon --> www.globaldispatches.org/p/anthropic-...
globaldispatches.org
Anthropic vs. the Pentagon: The High-Stakes Fight Over Military AI—and Autonomous Weapons
Will the leading AI company let the Pentagon use its model to develop "killer robots?"
033
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
I'm about to go live at half past the hour (1130 ET) with Military-AI expert Anna Hehir, to discuss this high stakes dispute between the Pentagon and Anthropic open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com
LIVE SOON: A Military-AI Expert Explains the High-Stakes Dispute Between Anthropic and the Pentagon
Starting Feb 26 at 11:30 AM EST
010
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea are morphing into one giant interlocking conflict impacting about 200 million people. www.globaldispatches.org/p/ethiopia-i...
globaldispatches.org
Ethiopia Is Sliding Fast Toward Major War
You need to be paying attention to Ethiopia right now.
067
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
People really need to be paying attention to what’s happening in Ethiopia right now. It’s getting virtually no attention in the western media, but the entire region is on the brink of a cataclysmic major war. www.globaldispatches.org/p/ethiopia-i...
globaldispatches.org
Ethiopia Is Sliding Fast Toward Major War
You need to be paying attention to Ethiopia right now.
011
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
It’s gotten virtually no coverage in western media outlets, but Ethiopia and Eritrea are headed fast towards a new war that could engulf the whole Horn of Africa. Livestream coming at 2:30 ET open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com
LIVE SOON: Ethiopia Is Sliding Fast Toward Major War—Again
Starting Feb 24 at 2:30 PM EST
011
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
All eyes are on Iran...but the US has also positioned gun boats off the coast of Haiti! www.globaldispatches.org/p/why-has-th...
globaldispatches.org
Why Has the United States Deployed Gunboats to Haiti?
As a new UN-backed force prepares to deploy to Haiti, a political, security and humanitarian crisis deepens
098
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
It is kind of telling that this Board of Peace is like an uber-manel. Not a single woman was called on to speak this morning.
010
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Trump's Board of Peace is a nothingburger www.globaldispatches.org/p/trumps-boa...
globaldispatches.org
Trump's Board of Peace is No Challenge to the UN
Let's stop the hand wringing, please
030
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
"We have peace in the middle east right now" says Trump, at his Board of Peace Meeting as he positions massive numbers of bombers to the region. Referring to Iran: "We may need to take it further, you'll find out in about 10 days, maybe"
022
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Haiti's political, security and humanitarian crisis is getting worse. I'm interviewing @crisisgroup.org expert Diego Da Rin live on Substack at 2pm ET who will help unpack this crisis and explain a way out of this enduring crisis. What do you want to learn? Join us! --> www.globaldispatches.org
globaldispatches.org
Global Dispatches | Mark Leon Goldberg | Substack
Smart, deeply reported analysis on international affairs, global crises, and the UN — trusted by diplomats, journalists, and policy experts. Click to read Global Dispatches, a Substack publication wit...
000
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
I learned so much from this conversation!
131
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Norway's Mona Juul, a once legendary diplomat and former UN Amb, has resigned over allegations revealed in the Epstein doc dump. @anjalikdayal.bsky.social and I discuss the fallout around the UN of of diplomats being implicated in the Epstein files --> www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-secret...
1165
Reposted by Mark Leon Goldberg
Anjali Dayal @anjalikdayal.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
come for the discussion of Michelle Bachelet’s singular candidacy (former head of state, former victim of state torture) for UN Secretary General, stay for me debuting my most puritanical opinion
083
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
New "To Save Us From Hell" episode dropped! @anjalikdayal.bsky.social discuss the newest entrant in the race for Secretary General AND the what the latest Epstein doc dump has revealed about some high profile diplomats around the UN. www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-secret...
globaldispatches.org
The Secretary General Race Heats Up — And the Epstein Files Hit the UN
Plus, The UN's Kafkaesque Funding Quagmire
065
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
"I have never known Wyden to point to smoke that doesn't emerge from a five-alarm fire." Another useful post from @attackerman.bsky.social --> www.forever-wars.com/ron-wyden-on...
forever-wars.com
Ron Wyden Only Talks Like This When The Spies Do Something *Real* Bad
No, I don't know what they did. But I have a lot of experience with the senator
010
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
If I had the funding, I would hire some of the recently fired Washington Post reporters to write for Global Dispatches.
2322
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
It's barely penetrated the western media bubble, but a devastating civil war in South Sudan no longer "looms" -- it's fully erupted. I speak w/ Daniel Akech of @crisisgroup.org who explains the stakes --> www.globaldispatches.org/p/civil-war-...
globaldispatches.org
Civil War Has Returned to South Sudan
Why a fragile peace collapsed—and what comes next
065
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Carney may not have wanted this divorce, but Trump forced it. The question now is whether anyone else is prepared to follow Canada—and what happens if they do. www.globaldispatches.org/p/mark-carne...
globaldispatches.org
Mark Carney's Jaw-Dropping Davos Speech
Canada is walking away from Washington. Who’s next?
041
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Just published a whole episode making this very point! open.spotify.com/episode/58Lr...
open.spotify.com
The Curious Case of America's Christmas Day Missile Strikes in Nigeria
192
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
I’ll be speaking with @dassakaye.bsky.social at the top of the hour about events in Iran and the American response. Watch live! www.globaldispatches.org
globaldispatches.org
Global Dispatches | Mark Leon Goldberg | Substack
Smart, deeply reported analysis on international affairs, global crises, and the UN — trusted by diplomats, journalists, and policy experts. Click to read Global Dispatches, a Substack publication wit...
030
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
I think it is important to understand Trump’s actions in Venezuela as a singularly consequential historical inflection point—one that future historians may point to as marking the transition from one era to another. www.globaldispatches.org/p/what-trump...
globaldispatches.org
What Trump's Venezuela Gambit Means for the United Nations
Why Trump’s Venezuela move could break the UN
112
Reposted by Mark Leon Goldberg
Terence Wood @terencewoodnz.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Everything's dating fast but this from @markleongoldberg.bsky.social & Elizabeth Dickinson is the best analysis I've hear of the Venezuela crisis and the challenges of governing the country now: www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-us-jus...
globaldispatches.org
The U.S. Just Toppled Nicolás Maduro. Here Are the Major Risks
Timely, expert analysis from the International Crisis Group's Elizabeth Dickinson
041
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
I speak with @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social about the *many* perils that may follow Trump's actions in Venezuela today. You will learn a ton from this 25 minute conversation --> www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-us-jus...
globaldispatches.org
The U.S. Just Toppled Nicolás Maduro. Here Are the Major Risks
Timely, expert analysis from the International Crisis Group's Elizabeth Dickinson
052
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
I'll be speaking @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social of the Crisis Group about what is unfolding in Venezuela right now. Livestream starts at the top of the hour and free for all Global Dispatches subscribers. www.globaldispatches.org
globaldispatches.org
Global Dispatches | Mark Leon Goldberg | Substack
Smart, deeply reported analysis on international affairs, global crises, and the UN — trusted by diplomats, journalists, and policy experts. Click to read Global Dispatches, a Substack publication wit...
022
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
I almost always run my writing through chat gpt to check for typos, spelling and grammar only... But just now it randomly inserted Chinese characters into my draft|?!
000
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Deep in the Defense Authorization bill is the repeal of the "Caesar Sanctions" -- biting sanctions on Syria imposed in response to the Assad regime's brutality. But there is a new regime in Damascus that needs int'l support during its democratic transition. Repealing these sanctions is a good move
011
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
At minute 33 you can watch To Save Us From Hell podcast co-host (and IR professor extraordinaire) @anjalikdayal.bsky.social address the Security Council --> webtv.un.org/en/asset/k10...
webtv.un.org
Maintenance of international peace and security: Leadership for Peace - Security Council, 100067th meeting
Maintenance of international peace and security: Leadership for Peace
1132
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
I love "solutions journalism." This is a style of journalism that focuses on what worked to solve a problem. I often combine it with a global focus, leading to what @martinscott2010.bsky.social dubbed "humanitarian journalism."
141
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
This is what a successful international response to a deadly disease outbreak should look like! Credit first goes to Congolese health authorities, but also to the multilateral health system that the Trump admin is trying to tear down! www.globaldispatches.org/p/an-ebola-o...
globaldispatches.org
An Ebola Outbreak In The Democratic Republic of the Congo Has Been Contained With Astonishing Speed
A lesson in the value and utility of multilateralism
095
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Syria has been liberated from the brutal Assad regime and his dungeons emptied. But in Lebanon, Assad's former ally Hezbollah is holding hundreds of Syrian political prisoners. One of them spoke to me from a smuggled phone inside a Hezbollah jail. www.globaldispatches.org/p/the-last-o...
globaldispatches.org
The Last of Syria's Political Prisoners are Still Languishing in Lebanese Jails
A political prisoner speaks to me on a smuggled phone from a jail in Lebanon
033
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Like eight years ago, I asked a similar question on Twitter--and Chris responded by recommending Killers of the Flower Moon!
030
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
@anjalikdayal.bsky.social and I will discuss! open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com
LIVE SOON: What Do We Think About that Gaza Resolution at the Security Council?
Starting Nov 18 at 1:00 PM EST
010
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Lots of caveats here, but the Gaza resolution written by the Trump admin backs the idea of Palestinian self-determination and statehood. That's certainly a positive development, at least considering where the starting point was. And it puts them at odds w/ the Israeli gov
020
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
The US Mission to the UN just posted an odd statement decrying those who "sow discord" over a Security Council resolution to authorize an International Stabilization Force for Gaza. I guess I'm guilty of this?! www.globaldispatches.org/p/why-an-int...
130
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
At the UN, Trump administration officials are scrambling to pass a Security Council resolution to authorize an "International Stabilization Force" for Gaza. I explain why it's unlikely that such a force would deploy anytime soon--if ever. www.globaldispatches.org/p/why-an-int...
globaldispatches.org
Why An "International Stabilization Force" for Gaza is Probably Doomed
Even if the UN authorizes it, no country wants to fight — or occupy — Gaza.
031
Mark Leon Goldberg @markleongoldberg.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
What political science teaches us about fraudulent elections and mass protests in Tanzania Full ep --> www.globaldispatches.org/p/what-polit...
031