Another sign of UN success in West Africa. From the UN News Centre:

The United Nations mission in Sierra Leone has made "significant progress" in supporting the Government to consolidate peace in the country, by strengthening the security sector, by promoting human rights and the rule of law, and by helping prepare for upcoming elections, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report.

However, Mr. Ban also cautions that the "the country continues to experience political tension along ethnic and regional lines" and cites high unemployment, poor economic and social conditions, and the rising price of food and gasoline, as other factors which "have the potential to derail the peace consolidation process."

This update on the improving situation in Sierra Leone follows similarly encouraging news out of neighboring Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire. As Ban's prudent warning suggests, however, these transitions toward peace and democracy in West Africa do not come unaccompanied by serious lingering problems and potential pitfalls. After easing violent societies into stability, the UN faces perhaps the even steeper challenge of consolidating these gains and ensuring that former war zones become politically and economically sustainable. That's why the peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone, scheduled to withdraw in September, will be replaced by a peacebuilding office.

These peacebuilding efforts will be funded out of the UN's relatively new Peacebuilding Fund, created in late 2006 to provide societies transitioning toward peace with "a crucial bridge between conflict and recovery at a time when other funding mechanisms may not yet be available." Despite the enormity and importance of its work, though, the Peacebuilding Fund has received less than a third of the money it needs to operate -- including zero contributions from the United States.

The troubles of the polar bear are a great symbol of the effects global warming can have on the Earth's mightiest creatures. The polar bear seems strong not only because of its size, but because of its ability to subsist in the harsh conditions of the Arctic. Now, as the ice disappears, so do the bears. But a new study points out that there are other species facing climate-related troubles. The Independent reported on a recent study that suggests the polar bear is not the species most threatened by a warming climate, and in fact, it is nearly the opposite type of animal.

Small, frail and subsisting in warm areas, insects in tropical climates are imminently threatened by rising temperatures. The survival of these insects is not only important for the sake of their own survival; they are essential to the survival of their entire habitat. When insect species disappear from the planet, the foundation of the food chain becomes damaged, and when foundations crumble, structures collapse. Insects also provide services like decomposition and pollination that keep the life-cycle moving, and without them, many other plant and animal species will be under extreme pressure for their survival.

Even though they are not cuddly or famous for their hugs, these species require attention. Insects are particularly sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation and act as indicators. If they cannot adapt, this does not bode well for the other planetary inhabitants.

Nigerian rebels who have been attacking oil facilities in the Niger delta have claimed that they are mulling a ceasefire proposed by U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama. From Reuters:

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has launched five attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta since it resumed a campaign of violence in April, forcing Royal Dutch Shell to shut more than 164,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

"The MEND command is seriously considering a temporary ceasefire appeal by Senator Barack Obama. Obama is someone we respect and hold in high esteem," the militant group said in an e-mailed statement.

The prospect of an end to violence in the volatile region is certainly welcome, but there's one minor hole in the rebels' claim: as Matt Yglesias points out, the Obama campaign does not recall its candidate making any such appeal.

Writing at The Plank, Dayo Olopade provides this interesting observation.

At the time--unlike past attacks--MEND seemed to be courting American attention: "The ripple effect of this attack will touch your economy and people one way or the other and (we) hope we now have your attention," the group said last month.

Well, oil is $120/barrel--looks like you've got it. The direct link to Obama, however, seems suspect. He did attempt some high-level suasion during January's election crisis in Kenya, but I'm doubtful his grueling schedule these last six weeks has left much time for Skyping with MEND. It is notable that even the hint of the "Obama touch" has a band of saboteurs rubbing their chins about an end to a longstanding conflict.

True. And if this mysterious ceasefire appeal does indeed induce the rebels to cease their attacks, while the Obama campaign may not mind taking credit, the greatest beneficiaries will be the Nigerians suffering from violence in this oil-rich region.

UPDATE: Apparently MEND rebels have set their eyes on another American politician to broker peace -- former president Jimmy Carter (as well as possibly UN Messenger of Peace George Clooney). What's more, Carter, who attempted to mediate the region's conflict nine years ago, seems inclined to accept.

The UN's ambitious renovation project has, predictably, attracted the attention of bloggers questioning the cost of the building and the value of the UN in general. Writing at Hot Air, Ed Morrissey thinks that the construction of the new building poses a broader question.

The renovation really isn't the issue here...Either the UN is a worthwhile use of American funds or it isn't. If it is, the renovation doesn't make it less so, and the building obviously needs a lot of work...

True, but this is not the entirety of the matter. Of course the construction of a new building doesn't make the UN less of "a worthwhile use of American funds." Renovation of its headquarters doesn't make it more deserving of American funds either. The relevant point here, which needs to be made more emphatically, is that, if the is UN indeed "worthy" of U.S. funding -- which we here at UN Dispatch firmly believe it is -- then it affirmatively needs a new building in order to continue its mission.

Ed also objects to the cost of the renovation, calling it "a rather expensive project even for the United Nations." This, however, neglects to mention the reason that the building's costs have expanded -- namely, because the U.S. has dragged its heels throughout the process, raising pedantic objections as the costs of construction continued to rise.

For those who oppose the UN, the real point in highlighting the costs of the replacing the old building -- which even Ed admits is in decrepit condition -- is to call into question the entire notion of supporting the international organization. According to Ed:

If the UN isn't a worthwhile expense, then the renovation makes no difference, either. One has to wonder why nations don't simply put their money towards the programs that actually deliver benefits and forego the fancy building and standing bureaucracy that adds little to the benefit of anyone...

The problem here is that, in order for the programs that Ed lauds to be able to function, they need to be able to operate out of, yes, a building -- and preferably one without asbestos. The people working in the 39 floors of the UN Secretariat are not simply faceless bureaucrats; they are the individuals that make the UN machinery run, and that, though they are far from the field, enable many life-saving programs to thrive.

So if the building isn't necessary, then what is?

What the UN needs is an overhaul of its membership, its leadership, its bureaucracies, and the HRC [Human Rights Council] most of all. Unfortunately, it's easier for everyone to renovate the building without considering the cancers within it.

Critiques of the UN -- its members, leaders, bureaucracies, etc. -- can be legitimate and constructive. Assuming that constructing a new building to meet fire and safety codes precludes pursuit of reform in these areas, however, is misguided. It will be very difficult for reform to succeed if there is no place to house the fruits of that reform. The U.S. should take the lead on both of these initiatives -- reforming both the UN's headquarters and its substance -- rather than balking at funding programs that the U.S. itself calls for. Ed is right to remind us that the building can be no more than the Member States it contains -- but that doesn't make the building any less necessary.

It is only slight exaggeration to say that visitors to the United Nations HQ in New York can sometimes see asbestos dripping from the walls. The building is old and decrepit. City officials would have condemned the building long ago if not for the fact that it falls under international jurisdiction. The sad fact is UN HQ, an international symbol and New York landmark, has not undergone a major renovation in fifty years. That is, until now. From the UN News Center:

Shovels in hand and donning blue hard hats, members of the United Nations community, led by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, today broke ground for the construction of temporary conference venue at the world body's New York Headquarters, marking the beginning of a five-year, $1.9 billion overhaul of the landmark complex.

"Today, we turn the soil which the United Nations stands on to mark the rebirth, or renovation, of our Headquarters," Mr. Ban told representatives of Member States, the Host Country, staff and the private sector gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony on the North Lawn.

The construction of the temporary conference building is the first phase of the project, known as the Capital Master Plan (CMP), which aims to make the five-decade old Secretariat and adjacent buildings -- plagued by leaks, safety violations and outdated systems -- safer, more efficient, greener and more modern.

The death toll in Myanmar is now over 22,000.

>>China/Japan - Hu Jintao arrived in Japan today for the first visit by a Chinese president in a decade. He will spend five days in Japan; to kill the time there is even a scheduled game of ping pong with the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. Last year, China became Japan's biggest trading partner, eclipsing the U.S. Controversial issues, like Japan's wartime record, Taiwan, and Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council, will be avoided, despite the fact that recent polling shows that the Japanese want their government to take a harder line on China. The big question is whether Hu will offer Japan another panda to replace Ling Ling.

>>Iran - Yesterday Iran called off a pending fourth round of talks with the U.S. that was intended to address security in Iraq. The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said that continued talks "make no sense" as long as the U.S. continues attacks in Sadr City, a stronghold of the Shia Mahdi Army. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said, oddly, "It is meaningless to have talks on anything with Iran as long as they don't change their behavior. That said, we have continued to be willing and ready, and are willing and ready, to have additional discussions with the Iranians through this tripartite channel."

• No Fuel, No Food
• UN stands ready to assist after deadly cyclone batters Myanmar
• Lies and the Lying Liars

• No Fuel, No Food
• UN stands ready to assist after deadly cyclone batters Myanmar
• Lies and the Lying Liars

• Sudan - Sudan bombs Darfur school and market, 13 killed
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe election body to decide poll date soon
• South Africa - Mbeki releases report on controversial crime unit
• Ghana - Ghana sets curfew after five killed in tribal clash
• Rwanda - Rwanda official in genocide trial
• Kenya - Scarred by Strife After Election, Kenya Begins to Heal
• Somalia - Troops Fire on Rioters in Somalia, Killing 2

• Chile - Erupting volcano prompts new evacuation in Chile
• Haiti - Haiti riot instigators set deadline to install PM
• Bolivia - Crisis in Bolivia after vote for autonomy
• Mexico - 16 Are Killed as Gunmen Seek Rancher in Mexico
• Guatemala - Guatemala halts foreign adoptions

• Japan - China-Japan goodwill summit contends with rifts
• Taiwan - Taiwan Vice Premier Suspected of Corruption
• Japan - Gallows broadcast shocks Japan into debating the death penalty
• Myanmar - Myanmar believes 13,000 dead, missing from cyclone
• China - Dalai Lama envoy upbeat on China talks; expects more
• China - Virus epidemic kills 26 toddlers in China
• Philippines - Philippines, Peru lauded for child health progress
• South Korea - South Korea's bird flu outbreak spreads to Seoul
• Japan - Japan Steadily Becoming a Land Of Few Children
• Indonesia - Indonesia mulls Opec withdrawal
• Indonesia - Gold Miners Die in Landslide in Indonesia
• China - China shrugs off report of tropical nuclear sub base

• Serbia - Serbia's pro-Western president gets death threats
• Italy - Neo-Nazi killing puts spotlight on Italian militants
• France - Le Monde journalists in third strike

• Iran - Iran says new talks with U.S. on Iraq meaningless
• Iraq - Ten Iraqi soldiers slain in checkpoint attack
• Israel - Israel dresses up for its 60th anniversary
• Iraq - Unicef warns of Iraqis 'at risk'
• Iraq - U.S. withdrawing third 'surge' brigade from Iraq