Author Archives: Mark Leon Goldberg 
Why Diplomacy is the Only Option for Syria
The Washington Post editorial board sneers at the current diplomatic efforts on Syria in a scathing unsigned editorial today. Of course, they do not suggest an alternative solution, other than an amorphous appeal for more “US Leadership.”
Next Steps on Syria
What’s most striking about the mass expulsion of Syrian diplomats from western capitals today is that it is happening at all. If we are to draw a comparison to Libya: No Libyan diplomats were expelled during the height of Muammar Gaddafi’s crackdown against rebels and peaceful protesters. Rather, they defected. En masse.
UN Peacekeeping Facts and Figures: Take the Quiz
Today is International Day for Peacekeepers, an annual UN affair in which we honor blue helmets around the world and remember their sacrifices. I thought might be a good moment to trot out some facts and figures about UN Peacekeeping that the average reader may find…surprising, interesting, or make for good trivia.
Thinking about the Cost of War on Memorial Day
Memorial Day is an appropriate time to reflect on the human toll of war, and the ways in which we can all work toward a world without war.
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The SC; HRC; DPRK; South Sudan
The SC: The Security Council today held its last consultations under the Council Presidency of ROK. Tomorrow, Russia will take over the rotating Presidency of the Security Council for March under Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.
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The SG; Mali; Middle East; Palestine
The SG: At the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in Vienna, Austria today, the SG emphasized the role of youth in ensuring a “prosperous, equitable and peaceful future.”
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The SG; DRC; HRC; Palestinian Prisoner
The SG: In Ethiopia over the weekend, the SG is now in the United Arab Emirates. Today he met with Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, where the two discussed developments in the region, including Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and in the Middle East Peace Process.
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