Oct 3, 2025
Anne-Marie Slaughter
On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, thousands of leaders from civil society, business, educational institutions, and philanthropies discussed how the world can conduct diplomacy without the US. To that end, middle powers must convene the UNGA elsewhere and increase their accountability to the global community.
WASHINGTON, DC – In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last week, US President Donald Trump claimed to have “ended seven unendable wars” – a definite exaggeration, though his administration has helped make peace in several regional conflicts. Trump then excoriated the UN for its inaction. “All they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter, and then never follow that letter up,” he said. “It’s empty words – and empty words don’t solve war.”
