"The historian notes that Pakistan is currently doing the work of past U.N. secretaries-general with regard to Iran. But every now and then, including in cases of potential nuclear escalation, someone called the secretary-general of the United Nations may be indispensable in crafting an exit. Everything else the U.N. did should be theatre that ensures that the prestige of this actor was retained, for when the world needed the person most."
In recent decades, the United Nations has lost its central role as an impartial mediator in international conflicts. Negotiations often involve businesspeople aligned with U.S. leadership or third-party states, including emerging powers acting as intermediaries. The organization’s paralysis in conflicts such as Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon increases the importance of the next secretary-general. An impartial mediator appointed by the world is presented as necessary to create face-saving routes to de-escalation for all sides. Past secretaries-general achieved notable success, including U Thant’s role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Pakistan is described as currently performing similar mediation work regarding Iran, but a renewed U.N. secretary-general may be indispensable during moments of potential nuclear escalation.
Read at english.elpais.com
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