Ian Williams

Ian Williams, formerly UN correspondent for The Nation, is the author of Rum: A Social and Sociable History of the Real Spirit of 1776; The Deserter: Bush’s War on Military Families, Veterans and His Past; The Alms Trade; and The UN For Beginners.

Political FiguresApril 5, 2016

Remembering Bogdan Denitch

He is survived by countless young people who were inspired by his life and politics.

Ian Williams
Global OrganizationsJanuary 9, 2007

Khalilzad: Good News and Bad for UN

Zalmay Khalilzad promises be a more effective US ambassador to the UN, but is that a good thing?

Ian Williams
Global OrganizationsDecember 28, 2006

Annan’s Principled Pragmatism

Although Kofi Annan’s tenure was shadowed by political catfights, he leaves the United Nations as one of its most successful secretary generals.

Ian Williams
Foreign PolicyDecember 6, 2006

John Bolton’s Greatest Hits

Exactly how much damage did John Bolton do during his tenure at the United Nations? Let us count the ways.

Ian Williams
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November 8, 2006

Bush Crony to Head UN’s Food Program

John Bolton’s surprise announcement that a former Washington Times editor will head the UN’s World Food Program bodes ill for the idea that competence is more important than political loyalty.

Ian Williams
Political FiguresNovember 3, 2006

Memo to Kerry: Criticize, Don’t Apologize

John Kerry should stop being nice about the Deserter in Chief. He should be reminding voters that the President who has sent more than 3,000 US soldiers and allies and untold thousands of Iraqis to their deaths deserted his post during the Vietnam War.

Ian Williams
Global OrganizationsOctober 18, 2006

A Devil’s Bargain

The United States may well have its way and exclude Venezuela from the UN Security Council, in retribution for Hugo Chávez’s diabolical roast of George W. Bush. But doesn’t the world have larger issues to worry about?

Ian Williams
Global OrganizationsOctober 12, 2006

Ban’s First Challenge?

South Korea’s quiet-spoken and principled Ban Ki-moon, who has just been nominated to replace Kofi Annan as the UN Secretary General, may find it difficult to confront US unilateralism.

Ian Williams
Global OrganizationsOctober 3, 2006

Low-Key Leader for High-Anxiety Times

South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon now has a virtual lock on succeeding Kofi Annan as UN Secretary General. Does he have what it takes to be a mediator between Bush’s Washington and the rest of the world?

Ian Williams
Global OrganizationsSeptember 29, 2006

Look East for a New UN Leader

The election campaign for the UN’s next Secretary General is the most transparent in history, but the politics are as murky as ever. As diplomatic wrangling continues, one thing is clear: The next leader will come from Asia.

Ian Williams

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Ian Williams

Political FiguresApril 5, 2016

He is survived by countless young people who were inspired by his life and politics.

Global OrganizationsJanuary 9, 2007

Zalmay Khalilzad promises be a more effective US ambassador to the UN, but is that a good thing?

Global OrganizationsDecember 28, 2006

Although Kofi Annan’s tenure was shadowed by political catfights, he leaves the United Nations as one of its most successful secretary generals.

Foreign PolicyDecember 6, 2006

Exactly how much damage did John Bolton do during his tenure at the United Nations? Let us count the ways.

The stakes are higher now than ever. Get The Nation in your inbox.

November 8, 2006

John Bolton’s surprise announcement that a former Washington Times editor will head the UN’s World Food Program bodes ill for the idea that competence is more important than political loyalty.

Political FiguresNovember 3, 2006

John Kerry should stop being nice about the Deserter in Chief. He should be reminding voters that the President who has sent more than 3,000 US soldiers and allies and untold thousands of Iraqis to their deaths deserted his post during the Vietnam War.

Global OrganizationsOctober 18, 2006

The United States may well have its way and exclude Venezuela from the UN Security Council, in retribution for Hugo Chávez’s diabolical roast of George W. Bush. But doesn’t the world have larger issues to worry about?

Global OrganizationsOctober 12, 2006

South Korea’s quiet-spoken and principled Ban Ki-moon, who has just been nominated to replace Kofi Annan as the UN Secretary General, may find it difficult to confront US unilateralism.

Global OrganizationsOctober 3, 2006

South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon now has a virtual lock on succeeding Kofi Annan as UN Secretary General. Does he have what it takes to be a mediator between Bush’s Washington and the rest of the world?

Global OrganizationsSeptember 29, 2006

The election campaign for the UN’s next Secretary General is the most transparent in history, but the politics are as murky as ever. As diplomatic wrangling continues, one thing is clear: The next leader will come from Asia.