Reposted by Richard GowanRichard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 21/09/2026New from me @foreignaffairs.com: "Shrink the UN". www.foreignaffairs.com/united-natio...foreignaffairs.comShrink the UNThe next secretary-general must get back to basics 142
Reposted by Richard GowanConciliation Resources @crbuildpeace.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Peace works, but it’s under threat. Conflict is on the rise, with more countries involved in violent conflicts than at any time since 1945. The #PeaceWorksReport, developed by a coalition of organisations working to prevent conflict around the world, is a rallying cry for collaboration & action.rc-services-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.comPeace WorksPeace Works highlights the costs of conflict globally and to the UK, shows how conflict is changing, and gives examples of where and how peacebuilders have made decisive contributions to the prevention and resolution of violent conflict. 123
Reposted by Richard GowanCrisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 30/09/2026📩 The Month Ahead | Israel Votes. What Next? Three years after the 7 October 2023 attacks, Israelis go to the polls in what some are calling the most important elections in their country’s history. @comfortero.crisisgroup.org looks at what, if any, change the vote could bring.linkedin.comIsrael Votes. What Next?Hello, Three years after the 7 October 2023 attacks and the chain of wars that followed, Israelis go to the polls at the end of next month in what some are calling the most important elections in thei... 121
Reposted by Richard GowanCrisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 29/09/2026🗒️ NEW ANALYST'S NOTEBOOK | South Sudan’s President Jettisons Unity Government and Hardens Grip on Power @jongethon.bsky.social examines how President Kiir’s call for fresh elections aims to weaken his opponents, and may pave the way to worsening armed conflict.crisisgroup.orgSouth Sudan’s President Jettisons Unity Government and Hardens Grip on Power | International Crisis GroupCrisis Group expert Daniel Akech examines how President Kiir’s call for fresh elections aims to weaken his opponents, and may pave the way to worsening armed conflict 012
Reposted by Richard GowanOlivier Salgado @osalgado.bsky.social · 28/09/2026From its founding in 1945 to today, the General Assembly has been at the centre of the UN’s story: navigating Cold War tensions, decolonization, apartheid, global crises and the push for reform. Itw with UN expert Richard Gowan. youtu.be/iVb_tPfp9FU?...youtu.beHow the UN General Assembly Changed the WorldYouTube video by United Nations 001
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 28/09/2026There isn't actually a big gap between @markhleonard.bsky.social's outline for moving beyond/outside the UN system and those of us who want to narrow/preserve the UN (cf me @foreignaffairs.com last week). www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...foreignaffairs.comShrink the UNThe next secretary-general must get back to basics 100
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Chatting on @cbcradiocanada.bsky.social about the state of the UN yesterday - lots of tough and fair questions from across Canada. www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...cbc.ca© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved. 010
Reposted by Richard GowanThe Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 27/09/2026Commentary: Great Powers like the U.S. are dismantling the U.N. while blaming its failures on powerless secretaries-general.ebx.shTrump is setting up the U.N. and its next leader for failureThe U.N. system is “rotting from the head down,” Richard Gowan, an expert at the International Crisis Group said. 32417
Reposted by Richard GowanCrisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 25/09/2026✍️ NEW OP-ED | What Peacemaking Loses When Women Are Left Out The United Nations has made halting but real progress in bringing women into peace negotiations and postwar reconstruction. Now that progress is being reversed. @cristaldowning.bsky.social in TIME.time.comWhat Peacemaking Loses When Women Are Left Out"Women hold communities together through wars but they are increasingly being left out of peace talks," writes Cristal Downing. 014
Reposted by Richard GowanDavid Rennie @dsorennie.bsky.social · 25/09/2026It’s too kind to say the Xi-Trump summit was big on pageantry and light on substance. Given the urgent problems that can’t be tackled without China and America, to squander the meeting was a selfish dereliction of duty. My take economist.com/internationa...economist.comAmerica and China’s leaders indulge in pageantry as crises mountDonald Trump and Xi Jinping squandered a chance to tackle the world’s gravest threats 3176
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Can you guess the analyst? aje.news/1dwra9?updat... 010
Reposted by Richard GowanComfort Ero @comfortero.crisisgroup.org · 21/09/2026On #InternationalDayofPeace, as states rearm and multilateral channels face severe strain, the core challenge is clear: how do we reduce the mounting risks? Here are 7 practical steps for preventing and managing conflict in an era of hard power 🧵👇 113
Reposted by Richard GowanRichard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Delighted to natter with @crisisgroup.org VP Richard Atwood and @fortid.crisisgroup.org about UNGA in this podcast 👇 www.crisisgroup.org/pod/global/u...crisisgroup.orgThe UN’s High Level Week, Secretary-General Selection and “Middle Power” Problem | International Crisis GroupThis week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood is joined by Crisis Group experts Richard Gowan and Daniel Forti to discuss next week’s UN General Assembly high-level week and whether a new Secretary-Gen... 002
Reposted by Richard GowanForeign Affairs @foreignaffairs.com · 21/09/2026@richardgowan1.bsky.social argues that the United Nations must slim down to survive an “era of great-power competition and austerity.”: foreignaffairs.comShrink the UNThe next secretary-general must get back to basics 263
Reposted by Richard GowanCrisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 21/09/2026NEW OP-ED | Shrink the UN The United Nations’ ambitious self-conception and its actual track record has grown too wide. A slimmer organisation may be the UN the world needs. @richardgowan1.bsky.social explains why in @foreignaffairs.com.foreignaffairs.comShrink the UNThe next secretary-general must get back to basics 111
Reposted by Richard GowanSarah Kay @k-interarma.bsky.social · 21/09/2026The UN as an institution has become too big, too bureaucratic, too burdened and eventually, too broke. As the vote for a new UNSG nears, @richardgowan1.bsky.social argues for more restraint in favour of efficiency. Finally, perhaps some efficiency.foreignaffairs.comShrink the UNThe next secretary-general must get back to basics 001
Reposted by Richard GowanJudah Grunstein @judah-grunstein.bsky.social · 21/09/2026First spotting of @richardgowan1.bsky.social UNGA commentary in the wild comes early this year. Consulting the oracles for guidance.nytimes.comU.N. General Assembly to Confront Familiar Crises, New Conflicts and A.I.The United Nations is also searching for a replacement for António Guterres, who has served two terms as the secretary general and is stepping down. 011
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 21/09/2026New from me @foreignaffairs.com: "Shrink the UN". www.foreignaffairs.com/united-natio...foreignaffairs.comShrink the UNThe next secretary-general must get back to basics 142
Reposted by Richard GowanCrisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 20/09/2026🎧 NEW EPISODE | Hold Your Fire! Richard is joined by @richardgowan1.bsky.social and @fortid.crisisgroup.org to discuss the UN General Assembly high-level week and whether a new Secretary-General can revive the organisation’s peacemaking. www.crisisgroup.org/pod/global/u...crisisgroup.orgThe UN’s High Level Week, Secretary-General Selection and “Middle Power” Problem | International Crisis GroupThis week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood is joined by Crisis Group experts Richard Gowan and Daniel Forti to discuss next week’s UN General Assembly high-level week and whether a new Secretary-Gen... 031
Reposted by Richard GowanRichard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 18/09/2026The entire history of the UNGA in under 10 minutes. www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVb_...youtube.comHow the UN General Assembly Changed the WorldYouTube video by United Nations 012
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Delighted to natter with @crisisgroup.org VP Richard Atwood and @fortid.crisisgroup.org about UNGA in this podcast 👇 www.crisisgroup.org/pod/global/u...crisisgroup.orgThe UN’s High Level Week, Secretary-General Selection and “Middle Power” Problem | International Crisis GroupThis week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood is joined by Crisis Group experts Richard Gowan and Daniel Forti to discuss next week’s UN General Assembly high-level week and whether a new Secretary-Gen... 002
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 18/09/2026The entire history of the UNGA in under 10 minutes. www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVb_...youtube.comHow the UN General Assembly Changed the WorldYouTube video by United Nations 012
Reposted by Richard GowanCrisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 18/09/2026“Years of work in conflict prevention have taught me one thing: peace takes deliberate effort, not chance.” UN diplomacy aimed at halting wars and easing civilian suffering remains paralysed. Despite this, @comfortero.crisisgroup.org explains why the organisation remains essential for diplomacy. 086
Reposted by Richard GowanRichard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 17/09/2026What's going to be on top of the agenda at the UN General Assembly? @fortid.crisisgroup.org, our new @crisisgroup.org colleague Mariea Sekijima and I have ideas @justsecurity.org 👇 www.justsecurity.org/157177/un-ge...justsecurity.orgAt the U.N. General Assembly, Competition May Outdo CooperationThe challenges facing the U.N. include recurrent financial shortfalls and political irrelevance to some of the world's major crises. 045
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Nice to see @comfortero.crisisgroup.org and @ishaantharoor.bsky.social's tribute to Monty Python at the UN.static.klipy.comMonty Python Dead Parrot: It's Resting!ALT: Monty Python Dead Parrot: It's Resting! 151
Reposted by Richard GowanCrisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 17/09/2026Our President and CEO, @comfortero.crisisgroup.org and @ishaantharoor.bsky.social discuss in @newyorker.com why the United Nations system is still the best that nations have for dealing with one another. No other architecture exists. www.newyorker.com/news/global-... 135
Reposted by Richard GowanSami Chalhoub @samchalhoub.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Fastened my seatbelt and enjoyed reading this really good piece from Daniel Forti and ICG. www.crisisgroup.org/sbr/global/s...crisisgroup.orgTen Challenges for the UN in 2026-2027 | International Crisis GroupAs the 2026 General Assembly begins, the UN remains hobbled by cost cutting and big-power wrangling. The new Secretary-General to be chosen soon cannot cure all that ails the organisation, but much ca... 012
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 17/09/2026What's going to be on top of the agenda at the UN General Assembly? @fortid.crisisgroup.org, our new @crisisgroup.org colleague Mariea Sekijima and I have ideas @justsecurity.org 👇 www.justsecurity.org/157177/un-ge...justsecurity.orgAt the U.N. General Assembly, Competition May Outdo CooperationThe challenges facing the U.N. include recurrent financial shortfalls and political irrelevance to some of the world's major crises. 045
Reposted by Richard GowanJust Security @justsecurity.org · 17/09/2026World leaders gather in New York next week for the high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly, as the U.N. grapples with crises internal and external. Richard Gowan, Daniel Forti and Mariea Sekijima on what to watch:justsecurity.orgAt the U.N. General Assembly, Competition May Outdo CooperationThe challenges facing the U.N. include recurrent financial shortfalls and political irrelevance to some of the world's major crises. 02310
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 15/09/2026“I really, really doubt that the General Assembly would reject a [Secretary-General] candidate approved by the Security Council – unless he or she was a certified axe murderer. And even then, it might be a close call.” Me @ipsnews.net. www.globalissues.org/news/2026/09...globalissues.orgWill the General Assembly Continue to be Subservient to the P-5 Refusing to Challenge the Nominee for UN Chief?UNITED NATIONS, September 15 (IPS) - As the race for the election of a new Secretary-General (UNSG) gathers momentum, the spotlight is on the 193-member General Assembly, the highest policy making bo... 284
Reposted by Richard GowanRichard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 14/09/2026It's out! @crisisgroup.org's annual reckoning with the state of the UN is here. Big congrats to @fortid.crisisgroup.org for pulling it together this year. www.crisisgroup.org/sbr/global/s...crisisgroup.orgTen Challenges for the UN in 2026-2027 | International Crisis GroupAs the 2026 General Assembly begins, the UN remains hobbled by cost cutting and big-power wrangling. The new Secretary-General to be chosen soon cannot cure all that ails the organisation, but much ca... 0109
Reposted by Richard GowanCrisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 14/09/2026NEW SPECIAL BRIEFING | Ten Challenges for the UN in 2026-2027 Leaders gathering at #UNGA will find a United Nations in need of revival. A new Secretary-General cannot resolve the world’s crises overnight, but they should work to address immediate challenges. www.crisisgroup.org/sbr/global/s... 055
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 14/09/2026It's out! @crisisgroup.org's annual reckoning with the state of the UN is here. Big congrats to @fortid.crisisgroup.org for pulling it together this year. www.crisisgroup.org/sbr/global/s...crisisgroup.orgTen Challenges for the UN in 2026-2027 | International Crisis GroupAs the 2026 General Assembly begins, the UN remains hobbled by cost cutting and big-power wrangling. The new Secretary-General to be chosen soon cannot cure all that ails the organisation, but much ca... 0109
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Very sad. A genuinely lovely, super sharp and deeply principled person. 010
Reposted by Richard GowanWorld Politics Review @wpr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Verdicts on U.N. leaders take time to settle. Ban Ki-moon was faulted for failing to mediate the conflicts of his tenure, then won respect for his work on the 2015 Paris climate deal. António Guterres may get a similar second look, @richardgowan1.bsky.social writes.wpr.pubAntónio Guterres Leaves the U.N. as the Last Globalist StandingThe outgoing U.N. secretary-general insistently made the case for global solidarity, even as the world became more divided on his watch. 052
Reposted by Richard GowanCentre for European Reform @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · 10/09/2026The @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social is looking for an EU institutions & EU politics fellow to join its research team in Brussels. Deadline for applications 18/09/26 Please see the #job description and details on how to apply below 👇 buff.ly/AbxXqg3 013
Reposted by Richard GowanRichard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Antonio Guterres: The Last Globalist Standing? Me @wpr.bsky.social 👇 www.worldpoliticsreview.com/antonio-gute...worldpoliticsreview.comAntónio Guterres Leaves the U.N. as the Last Globalist StandingThe outgoing U.N. secretary-general insistently made the case for global solidarity, even as the world became more divided on his watch. 024
Reposted by Richard GowanPassBlue @passblue.bsky.social · 09/09/2026António Guterres Leaves the U.N. as the Last Globalist Standing www.worldpoliticsreview.com/antonio-gute...worldpoliticsreview.comAntónio Guterres Leaves the U.N. as the Last Globalist StandingThe outgoing U.N. secretary-general insistently made the case for global solidarity, even as the world became more divided on his watch. 011
Reposted by Richard GowanOona Hathaway @oonahathaway.bsky.social · 09/09/2026How are the laws of war are enforced? Do they remain relevant today, even though they are under unrelenting pressure? Take a listen to this discussion with @bcfinucane.bsky.social and @olyaoliker.bsky.social, in which we try to answer these questions and more. www.crisisgroup.org/pod/global/d...crisisgroup.orgDo the Laws of War Still Matter in Ukraine and Beyond? | International Crisis GroupThis week on War & Peace, Olga speaks with Yale Law School professor Oona Hathaway and Crisis Group expert Brian Finucane about international humanitarian law amid widespread civilian harm, emerging m... 0149
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Antonio Guterres: The Last Globalist Standing? Me @wpr.bsky.social 👇 www.worldpoliticsreview.com/antonio-gute...worldpoliticsreview.comAntónio Guterres Leaves the U.N. as the Last Globalist StandingThe outgoing U.N. secretary-general insistently made the case for global solidarity, even as the world became more divided on his watch. 024
Reposted by Richard GowanWorld Politics Review @wpr.bsky.social · 09/09/2026U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres steps down in December after two terms in which he made the case for international solidarity, even as the world fragmented around him. @richardgowan1.bsky.social writes that he may be the last globalist to hold the job:wpr.pubAntónio Guterres Leaves the U.N. as the Last Globalist StandingThe outgoing U.N. secretary-general insistently made the case for global solidarity, even as the world became more divided on his watch. 041
Reposted by Richard GowanSarah Kay @k-interarma.bsky.social · 08/09/2026This reads quiet and composed, but the message is strong and unequivocal: while the UN looks for its next SG, the future of the organisation as a whole is at stake. Returning to 1949 isn’t the key to the exit door, rather commitment and enforcement. A great speech by @richardgowan1.bsky.socialglobalr2p.orgThe Future of UN Conflict Prevention: Mediation, Diplomacy and the Responsibility to Protect - Global Centre for the Responsibility to ProtectOn 9 July Richard Gowan, Program Director, Global Issues and Institutions at the International Crisis Group, delivered the keynote address at the annual Evans-Sahnoun lecture co-organized by the Globa... 121
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 07/09/2026"As the International Crisis Group expert Richard Gowan likes to point out, the UN Charter even allows for the creation of a UN air-force." Good to see @arbeider4fred.bsky.social finally focus on what matters at the UN (non-air-force parts of the article are good too). fpc.org.uk/long-read-th...fpc.org.ukLong Read | The State of the UN - The Foreign Policy CentreWhat does a weakened United Nations mean for the UK? Fred Carver examines the state of the UN and where Britain can still exercise influence. 110
Reposted by Richard GowanFred Carver @arbeider4fred.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Pleasure to write this for @fpcthinktank.bsky.social on the current state of the UN, and what that means for the UK fpc.org.uk/long-read-th...fpc.org.ukLong Read | The State of the UN - The Foreign Policy CentreWhat does a weakened United Nations mean for the UK? Fred Carver examines the state of the UN and where Britain can still exercise influence. 011
Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 07/09/2026This is why there were more vampires back then. 000
Reposted by Richard GowanJeremiah nueve @jeremiahnueve.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Read 'The Future of UN Conflict Prevention: Mediation, Diplomacy and the Responsibility to Protect': www.globalr2p.org/publications...globalr2p.orgThe Future of UN Conflict Prevention: Mediation, Diplomacy and the Responsibility to Protect - Global Centre for the Responsibility to ProtectOn 9 July Richard Gowan, Program Director, Global Issues and Institutions at the International Crisis Group, delivered the keynote address at the annual Evans-Sahnoun lecture co-organized by the Globa... 011
Reposted by Richard GowanLe Nouvel Obs @nouvelobs.com · 01/09/2026L’ONU peut-elle mourir ? Depuis New York, Pierre Haski analyse les « nouveaux mondes » qui viennentnouvelobs.comPlus de quatre-vingts ans après sa création, l’Organisation des Nations unies est plus que jamais confrontée à un recul du droit international. Pierre Haski évoque le sujet avec Richard Gowan, directeur ONU d’International Crisis Group, sur sa chaîne YouTube en partenariat avec « le Nouvel Obs ». 011
Reposted by Richard GowanForeign Policy for America @fp4america.bsky.social · 03/09/2026In today’s #MustRead, Comfort Ero and Richard Gowan argue that peacemaking is shifting from institutions like the U.N. to regional powers, with a growing focus on containing conflicts rather than resolving them. ⬇️ foreignpolicy.com/2026/08/25/p...foreignpolicy.comPeacemaking Is Power Politics AgainThe post-Cold War model of institutionalized peacemaking has waned. But influential capitals are still looking to end and avoid conflicts. 033
Reposted by Richard GowanRichard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · 05/08/2026"An expert on the UN, Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group, describes a distinction that insiders make in New York, between a secretary-general who knows how to navigate great-power politics, and one who takes P5 orders." www.economist.com/internationa...economist.comAl Capone would recognise today’s world order. That’s not goodIn a gangsterish age, the UN needs an ultra-pragmatist as secretary-general 021
