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Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UN's renaissance: Navigating a multipolar world with emerging bipolarity
The United Nations (UN) was born out of the need for a neutral convenor in a world highly suspicious of unilateralism. However, immediately after its creation in 1945, it had to navigate a tight bipolarity and a Cold War between the US and the erstwhile Soviet Union. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, owing to the economic rise of countries like India, China, South Korea, Brazil and others, a multipolar world order emerged. The UN, despite facing several new challenges as opposed to the situation in 1945 and up to 1991, continued navigating through geopolitical storms. However, what was witnessed was increasing inefficiency, as its vetoes in the UN Security Council paralyse action on key conflicts. It was assumed that in a multipolar setup, the UN's inclusivity would be its strength. However, in 2025, as geopolitical winds change again, the UN faces its own crossroads. FILE PHOTO: The United Nations headquarters building is pictured though a window with the UN logo in the foreground in the Manhattan borough of New York August 15, 2014. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo(REUTERS) In the swirling vortex of geopolitics in 2025, the winds of change are unmistakable. The dominant rivalry in the international system is now between the US and China. However, the diffusion of power throughout the existing rules-based international order also cannot be wished away. The US under a second Trump administration, has pivoted inward, attempting an America First policy, which includes irrational trade skirmishes with foes like Beijing and friends, partners, and allies like India, the European Union (EU), Japan, Taiwan and South Korea alike. China meanwhile, once at the pinnacles of economic success, now grapples with domestic economic headwinds and a foreign policy shift from the Belt and Road exuberance to a more cautious stance propagating multilateralism, while still harbouring hegemonic aspirations. While the world stands divided in understanding which of these two powers--the US or China is more capable of leading the international system, middle powers like India, Brazil and the EU assert themselves, as regional alliances become increasingly commonplace. In this flux, the UN, while a relic of post-World War II optimism, also has an increased role as a vital arbiter, if it can adapt boldly. If peacekeeping were taken as an indicator, it is seen that despite the world being increasingly divided, UN operations remain the primary tool for maintaining international security, albeit fraying relations and resource shortfalls reduce efficacy. The 2025 Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin had highlighted precisely this, while urging members to innovate for future missions and multipolarity. At least 305 million across the globe are still in need of aid, while the UN coordinates humanitarian efforts. From Gaza's malnutrition crises to displacement in Sudan, there are examples galore and from across the globe. A decline in multilateralism actually weakens institutions like the UN and the World Trade Organization (WTO), with stalled pollution talks to illustrate hurdles in negotiations. The US led order's collapse, as Trump accelerates withdrawals, creates space for China to gain ground, without it yet having capacities for full replacement. Yet, this also creates opportunity, as a reformed UN could reclaim preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding. Given Trump's unpredictability and tendency to throw allies and partners under the bus, it is currently unclear what the U.S. actually wants. Trump's lifting of restrictions on chip sales to China, his stalling of the impending ban of TikTok, his fawning praise of Xi Jinping, along with his irrational targeting of India for being the second largest buyer of Russian oil, while letting China go scot-free, signal at attempts at a G2 between the US and China. However, Trump also keeps emphasising his policies to Make America Great Again, which presumably mean the US wants to remain the leading actor of the international system. As far as China is concerned, it clearly wants to be the leading actor of the international system and wants the coveted position to itself. While Trump figures out what he sees the role of the US as either as a subservient partner to China or to continue being the hegemon of the system, other important players need to push for the reforms of the UN. The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the UN. Interestingly, the UN thanks to the changing geopolitical headwinds, also stands at a pivotal juncture. The roles of both the US and China have been diminished, owing to their own economic policies which now force them to look inwards or to tweak their economic engagements abroad, with reduced roles. The need of the hour amidst geopolitical headwinds is to reduce domination and to create greater space for dialogue, and the UN, if empowered, is uniquely positioned to conduct it. To thrive, the UN must reform, and the first of many steps would be the expansion of the UNSC, for broader representation, enhancing legitimacy in multipolarity. A failure to adapt, risks irrelevance, while success holds promises of a more equitable world. The UN needs to be revitalised, lest the winds scatter global stability. This article is authored by Sriparna Pathak, professor, China Studies and International Relations, Jindal School of International Affairs, OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Google announces Tennessee as site for small modular nuclear reactor
A Google sign is pictured on a Google building in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., October 20, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri NEW YORK (Reuters) -Google, with Kairos Power, has selectedTennessee as the site of an advanced nuclear power plant that is expected to supply electricity to the Big Tech company's data centers in the U.S. southeast starting in 2030, the companies said on Monday. WHY IT MATTERS Big Tech is requiring massive amounts of electricity to scale up technologies like generative artificial intelligence in energy-intensive data centers. Those record energy needs are driving U.S. power consumption to new highs and propelling the development of fresh power sources like next-generation nuclear energy. The Tennessee reactor is the first to be deployed as part of Google's corporate agreement, announced last year, to buy nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors. The deal would support 500 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity, which is enough to power about 350,000 homes, to be developed by California-based nuclear company Kairos. The 50-gigawatt small modular nuclear power plant will be built in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a long-term power purchase agreement with utility Tennessee Valley Authority, to deliver electricity to Google data centers locally and in the state of Alabama. KEY QUOTE 'This collaboration with TVA, Kairos Power, and the Oak Ridge community will accelerate the deployment of innovative nuclear technologies and help support the needs of our growing digital economy while also bringing firm carbon-free energy to the electricity system," said Google's Amanda Peterson Corio. The project marks the first time a U.S. utility has signed a power purchase agreement for so-called generation IV nuclear power, which is generally seen as the most sustainable and safe form of nuclear power technologies in development, the companies said. ENERGY SECRETARY WEIGHS IN 'The deployment of advanced nuclear reactors is essential to U.S. AI dominance and energy leadership," U.S. Energy Secretary ChrisWright said in a statement announcing the site selection. 'The Department of Energy has assisted Kairos Power with overcoming technical, operational, and regulatory challenges as a participant in the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, and DOE will continue to help accelerate the next American nuclear renaissance." Currently, there are no commercially available advanced nuclear power plants in the U.S. (Reporting by Laila KearneyEditing by Marguerita Choy)
The Star
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Moscow court fines Zoom for failing to abide by Russian internet rules
The Zoom Video Communications logo is pictured at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York, New York, U.S., April 18, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
UN cuts aid appeal after donors slash budgets
FILE PHOTO: The United Nations headquarters building is pictured though a window with the UN logo in the foreground in the Manhattan borough of New York August 15, 2014. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File photo GENEVA - The United Nations on Monday slashed its aid appeal to donors by over a third, saying it was now seeking $29 billion to support 114 million people amid what it described as the deepest funding cuts ever. U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher said that the scale of donor retrenchment had been so large that it has been "forced into a triage of human survival." "The math is cruel, and the consequences are heartbreaking. Too many people will not get the support they need, but we will save as many lives as we can," he said. In a statement, the U.N. said its request prioritises, but does not replace, an earlier appeal for over $47 billion launched in December 2024 - before U.S. President Donald Trump announced major cuts to foreign aid that he has himself described as "devastating". Other Western governments, which have previously accounted for the lion's share of humanitarian budgets, are also retrenching as they instead prioritise defence spending. The previous U.N. humanitarian appeal was less than 13% funded nearly halfway through the year, the U.N. said. "All we ask is one percent of what you chose to spend last year on war," said Fletcher. "But this isn't just an appeal for money - it's a call for global responsibility, for human solidarity, for a commitment to end the suffering," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
UN cuts aid appeal after donors slash budgets
FILE PHOTO: The United Nations headquarters building is pictured though a window with the UN logo in the foreground in the Manhattan borough of New York August 15, 2014. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File photo GENEVA (Reuters) -The United Nations on Monday slashed its aid appeal to donors by over a third, saying it was now seeking $29 billion to support 114 million people amid what it described as the deepest funding cuts ever. U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher said that the scale of donor retrenchment had been so large that it has been "forced into a triage of human survival." "The math is cruel, and the consequences are heartbreaking. Too many people will not get the support they need, but we will save as many lives as we can," he said. In a statement, the U.N. said its request prioritises, but does not replace, an earlier appeal for over $47 billion launched in December 2024 - before U.S. President Donald Trump announced major cuts to foreign aid that he has himself described as "devastating". Other Western governments, which have previously accounted for the lion's share of humanitarian budgets, are also retrenching as they instead prioritise defence spending. The previous U.N. humanitarian appeal was less than 13% funded nearly halfway through the year, the U.N. said. "All we ask is one percent of what you chose to spend last year on war," said Fletcher. "But this isn't just an appeal for money - it's a call for global responsibility, for human solidarity, for a commitment to end the suffering," he said. (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
