UNITED NATIONS, Dec 19: Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to make possibly his final visit to the United Nations this week, concluding his term of engagement with the global organization after a challenging four years marked by renewed conflict in Europe and various crises in the Middle East.
As the UN Security Council finds itself more fragmented than ever, Blinken will preside over two meetings of this influential body on Thursday. However, these sessions will not address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or the ongoing situation in the Middle East, where the United States has frequently clashed with permanent members China and Russia, often finding itself in the minority regarding Israel’s actions against Hamas in Gaza.
In a clear effort to foster some degree of consensus, Blinken will guide Security Council discussions on artificial intelligence and the ongoing conflict in Sudan, a situation that humanitarian organizations warn has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis currently lacking adequate global attention.
Here’s what to anticipate:
Why is America’s top diplomat overseeing Security Council meetings?
Since becoming the Biden administration’s chief diplomat in March 2021, Blinken has actively engaged with the Security Council, both in-person and virtually. Along with participating in several special sessions, including one in February 2022 just prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he has routinely attended the annual General Assembly meeting every September in New York.
The presidency of the Security Council rotates among its 15 members in alphabetical order, and this month, it is the United States’ turn. The presidency typically entails organizing a number of key events on subjects chosen by the government in power. Leaders and senior officials from member nations are often invited to attend these sessions.
Why is the US not focusing on the Middle East or Ukraine?
Efforts to condemn the invasion of Ukraine have faced opposition from Russia and China, which is leading US officials to conclude that a session on the matter would likely be unproductive, especially with the prospect of President-elect Donald Trump seeking immediate resolutions to the conflict.
In the context of the Middle East, the US has consistently vetoed actions at the council that criticize Israel’s military responses against Hamas, rendering it isolated at the UN in its support for Israel.
Why did the US prioritize AI?
According to a new Stanford University index, the US is at the forefront of AI technology development, which has influenced its leadership role in the UN’s initiatives concerning AI. This past March, the first UN resolution on artificial intelligence was approved by the 193-member General Assembly, sponsored by the US. It aims to promote global support for international efforts ensuring that AI technology benefits all nations while upholding human rights and remaining “safe, secure, and trustworthy.”
Why is the US emphasizing Sudan?
US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, noted in early December that the prior US presidency of the Security Council in August 2023 occurred just months following the outbreak of war in Sudan, where rival military factions are clashing violently. This conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities, forced millions to flee their homes, and left a significant portion of Sudan’s population facing starvation—creating a largely overlooked global crisis that the US wishes to highlight.
“Sudan is experiencing one of the most dire humanitarian crises on the planet,” stated State Department spokesman Vedant Patel on Wednesday. “Our priority is to work with UN partners and others to shed light on this issue, establish and secure humanitarian corridors, and advocate for a political resolution.”
Will Blinken challenge Russia?
Blinken has represented the US at Security Council meetings addressing various issues, including Ukraine’s invasion and Gaza’s conflict. As a permanent veto-holding member of the council, both the US and Russia occupy seats at the discussion table. However, despite some disagreements during discussions, there have been no direct confrontations nor one-on-one dialogues between Blinken and Russian officials during previous UN gatherings.
It’s not unusual for Blinken or other senior US officials to attend events where Russian representatives are present, but personal interactions tend to be infrequent. Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were last in the same location during a meeting in Malta earlier this month but did not engage with each other. The last known brief conversation between the two occurred in March 2023 at a Group of 20 foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, India. (AP)
