Don’t pretend the U.N. can save Syria
It is time to set Lakhdar Brahimi free. After a year's service as envoy for the United Nations and Arab League to Syria, the veteran Algerian mediator faces the final breakdown of his efforts to end the war
Experts & Staff
Richard Gowan
Associate Senior Policy Fellow
Areas of expertise
United Nations system; European security and defence policy; Africa; Western Balkans
Languages
English
Biography
Richard Gowan is an associate fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
He is currently UN director at the International Crisis Group, and was previously research director at New York University’s Center on International Cooperation. He has taught at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and Stanford in New York, and wrote a weekly column on multilateralism (“Diplomatic Fallout”) for World Politics Review from 2013-2019. He has acted as a consultant to the UN on peacekeeping, political affairs, and migration.
EU troops can still help in Mali
A ‘plug-and-play' approach to peacekeeping lacks the glamour of a full-scale military intervention but it could be a cheaper and a more strategic approach for the EU to deal with the situation in Mali.
Brahimi’s final acts
Lakhdar Brahimi has been the United Nations and Arab League envoy for Syria for less than five. But while his chances of orchestrating a peace deal are now vanishingly small, he should not quit quite yet.
Who is winning on human rights at the UN?
The gathering of world leaders at the United Nations this week will be punctuated by angry statements on the Syrian…
Multilateralism: Moscow rules?
With Russia due to play a central role in multilateral institutions over the next two years, its obstructionism over Syria does not bode well. However Europeans may find – to their benefit – that it is actually China that calls the shots on the international stage.
The dangers of distraction: EU crisis management beyond the euro
The case for cooperation in EU crisis management
Is it time for Kofi Annan to give up in Syria?
A growing number of diplomats are arguing Kofi Annan's peace plan is failing. But is it better for the U.N. to oversee, and arguably provide cover for, the current violence or retreat and open the way for something potentially worse?
Summit-time blues
The coming season of grand international summits means the problems of the Eurozone will once again be thrust upon the global stage. But at least this time European leaders don't have to worry about Silvio Berlusconi.
Kofi Annan and Syria – the case for deliberate caution
Kofi Annan has created a diplomatic framework for dealing with the Syrian crisis. However, the security situation has changed and Annan must move with deliberate caution to make the 'Syrian-led political process' a success.
Publications
False moves: Migration and development aid
Europe should not confuse development aid’s role in reducing forced migration with that of reducing migration more broadly
Three crises and an opportunity: Europe’s stake in multilateralism
Despite the existing crises to the multilateral system, the EU possesses a set of specific strengths needed to actually save the system
Rescuing multilateralism
The turmoil in the current system represents an opportunity for Europeans to shape a new order that meets their strategic needs
Separation anxiety: European influence at the UN after Brexit
Brexit has the potential to upset European coordination on development and human rights across the UN system
Bordering on crisis: Europe, Africa, and a new approach to crisis management
Taking early steps to tackle humanitarian crises is a chance to show the EU has not entirely lost a sense of strategic purpose and that it is able to meet moral
Into Africa: China’s global security shift
China is taking on a new military role in Africa, seeking to boost its image as a great power that promotes peace and security worldwide
European Foreign Policy Scorecard 2016
The sixth ECFR Foreign Policy Scorecard highlights the EU’s diminishing ability to influence its neighbours, and the neighbourhood’s growing impact on the EU
The road back to European power
The EU needs an honest assessment of its capabilities and to set limited goals behind which member states can show sustainable unity
Bursting the UN bubble
Europe must learn the lessons of the Iran negotiations and boost Germany’s role at the UN Security Council to combat Russian blocking tactics
Why Europe must stop outsourcing its security
The EU’s habit of outsourcing its military interventions is problematic for a multitude of reasons
Articles
Multilateral values: European ideals under pressure
The West no longer has a monopoly on values at the UN. But Europeans can shape a new narrative in the changing multilateral system by emphasising their commitment to sovereignty, development, and openness
How not to save the world: EU divisions at the UN
Although their new friendship treaty does not call for an EU Security Council seat, France and Germany must pitch a compelling vision of multilateralism at the UN
John Bolton: Don’t Mention the Norms
Brutal transactional talks is the only language the new National Security Advisor understands
Lonely at the top
Running the United Nations is a lonely job for António Guterres – and he seems to prefer it that way.
With Trump, the spectre of John Bolton returns to the UN
Before January, Europeans should make preparations to safeguard the UN, again
EU indecision on UN Secretary General choice plays to Russia’s advantage
There are still, for now, some very serious European contenders with real chances of success.
Saving British internationalism from Brexit
Even if the UK is a diminished power after Brexit international partners will still need its cooperation in the UN and NATO
Post-Humanitarian Europe
This week’s World Humanitarian Summit was an opportunity to discuss how to assist the suffering, yet the entire process showed much of the humanitarian sector at its most fragmented and self-indulgent
The limited avenues of internationalisation
The European response to the Syrian refugee crisis to date has been characterised by short-term and reactive measures. But this is going to be…
A broader watchfulness
While Syrians currently account for almost 20 percent of the 60 million refugees and IDPs worldwide, they are by no means the only ones…
Podcasts
Europe Listens: Saving multilateralism with Arancha González Laya and Richard Gowan
In September 2024, the United Nation’s Summit of the Future is set to take place – a crucial moment to mend “eroded trust” between peoples,…
Three crises and an opportunity: Europe’s stake in multilateralism
The multilateral system faces three related crises of power, relevance, and legitimacy. This fraying consensus threatens the EU, which is committed to multilateralism. But the…
UN General Assembly 2018: What will be discussed?
Mark Leonard and Richard Gowan go through the likely talking points at the meeting and discuss what might be on some countries' hidden agendas. The…
Debriefing the U.N. General Assembly with Richard Gowan
ECFR’s director Mark Leonard talks with ECFR’s U.N. expert Richard Gowan among other things about Trump and Macron's addresses at the UNGA, the Korean nuclear crisis,…
ECFR Discussion: Crisis management in the new world order
This workshop, organised with the Embassy of the Netherlands in London, discusses crisis management in Africa in the age of Trump and Brexit. With:…
ECFR’s World in 30 Minutes: Who will be the next UN Secretary-General?
ECFR’s director Mark Leonard speaks with Senior Policy Fellow Richard Gowan about the candidates, and the factors that will decide the race. The podcast was recorded…
ECFR’s World in 30 Minutes: UN secretary-general candidacy
ECFR’s director Mark Leonard speaks with Somini Sengupta, UN correspondent for the New York Times, Richard Gowan, ECFR Senior Policy Fellow, and Manuel Lafont Rapnouil,…
ECFR Scorecard 2016 Special – Multilateral Issues and Crisis Management
Richard Gowan, Senior Policy Fellow at ECFR and Professor at Columbia University, explains why the EU received a B- for how it dealt with…
European Foreign Policy Scorecard 2015 – Richard Gowan on Chapter 6: Multilateral Issues and Crisis Management
Richard Gowan, ECFR Associate Fellow and author of Chapter 6, believes that there were several crises the EU had to face in 2014. How…
In the media
During the last week of September, the US will most probably claim success for the snapback
Richard Gowan is quoted by Le Figaro about a potential reinstatement of international sanctions against Iran
Richard Gowan est cité par The Times of Israel concernant l'accord nucléaire avec l'Iran et l'embargo international
Richard Gowan est cité par Ouest France à propos des discussions à l'ONU concernant un embargo sur les armes avec l'Iran
This is a car crash that everyone knows is going to happen
Richard Gowan on the U.N. Security Council vote on extending an arms embargo on Iran
If the goal is still an indefinite extension of the embargo without any other concessions to Tehran, I still think China and Russia will veto this
Richard Gowan on Trump's administration watering down its proposal for an arms embargo on Iran