United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is a massive intergovernmental organization founded after the end of World War II to foster healthy diplomacy; maintain global peace and stability; and facilitate international cooperation.

Based in New York with branches all over the world, the UN is the world's largest international organization.

It consists of six principal organs:

The General Assembly, which consists of all UN member states, which votes to admit new members, adopts the budget, and elects members to other organs in the organization.
The Security Council, which adopts compulsory resolutions and is responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
The Economic and Social Council, which helps facilitate economic and social cooperation between different nations and between the UN and other organizations.
The Secretariat, the UN's administrative organization led by the UN secretary-general.
The International Court of Justice, which settles legal disputes between member nations.
The Trusteeship Council, which dealt with colonial possessions but which has been defunct since 1994.

The UN also consists of several smaller agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The UN overall is led by the secretary-general, who is currently Antonio Guterres.

UN refugee agency scales back posts and budget for 2027, documents show

In 2025, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had 16,126 budgeted posts versus 12,051 this year and 8,540 in 2027, the budget documents showed.

AUGUST 28, 2026|ByREUTERS

A closed registration centre of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the Zero Point Islam Qala border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran, in Herat province, on November 5, 2025.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar hold a press conference at the ministry's offices in Jerusalem, May 22, 2025.

Israel hits back at 15 countries, EU over criticism of UNRWA compound seizure

The ministry referred to a report by the USAID Office of Inspector General which concluded that more than 100 UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 Hamas attack.

AUGUST 28, 2026|ByIDAN KWELLER

Protesters hold signs outside the Royal Courts of Justice, after High Court judges ruled the British government’s decision to designate pro‑Palestinian group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation unlawful, in London, Britain, February 13, 2026.

UN rights office says US terror designation of Palestine Action threatens free speech

Palestine Action has targeted Israel-linked defence companies in Britain, especially Israel's largest defence firm Elbit Systems, often blocking entrances or spraying red paint.

AUGUST 28, 2026|ByREUTERS

Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic leaves a meeting at the airport in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina April 13, 1993.

Ratko Mladic, Bosnian Serb general convicted of genocide, dies in Hague detention

Ratko Mladic, one of the most notorious figures of the Bosnian war, has died in a UN detention center in The Hague while serving a life sentence.

AUGUST 27, 2026|ByREUTERS

Pahlavi remains Iran’s main opposition figure, lack of US backing causing failure at regime change

Reza Pahlavi emerged as the most visible candidate to lead a post-regime Iran, but US resistance, donor frustration, and opposition divisions have weakened his campaign.

JULY 28, 2026ByREUTERS

Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi speaks to the press as he takes part in a roundtable discussion regarding the situation in Iran at the Dutch parliament in The Hague on July 6, 2026; illustrative.

The blood libel that won't die: How the UN weaponized genocide claims against Israel - analysis

How accusations of genocide have become the latest expression of a centuries-old campaign to demonize the Jewish state

JULY 28, 2026ByBEN COHEN

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk (R) looks on next to Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada al-Nashif during a UN Human Rights Council debate over Israel’s actions on September 16, 2025.

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While Karim Khan's dismissal rocks ICC, Israel's international legal battle remains - analysis

Karim Khan's dismissal has damaged the ICC, but Israel still faces arrest warrants and war crimes scrutiny unless it changes its legal strategy.

JULY 26, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB

International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan talks during an interview with Reuters in The Hague, Netherlands, January 16, 2025.

Venezuela formally exits ICC amid accusations of political bias

Caracas announced its “irrevocable” withdrawal from the ICC, claiming the court has been politicized and unfairly targets countries in the Global South.

JULY 26, 2026ByREUTERS

Exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.

Sharaa: Syria working to reach security deal with Israel, will not give up on Golan Heights claim

Additionally, Syria has no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon, although Syria is discussing ways to help overcome the crisis there with the Lebanese government.

JULY 26, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) arrives to receive UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the People's Palace in Damascus on July 25, 2026

Golan Heights 'are Syrian territory,' UN chief Guterres stresses during Damascus visit

The UN Secretary-General addressed post-war reconstruction and territory disputes at his press conference during the first visit to Syria by a UN chief since the Assad regime.

JULY 26, 2026ByRUBY SADIKMAN

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa receives UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the People's Palace in Damascus, July 25, 2026

PA must end torture, arbitrary detention of Palestinians in West Bank, UN rights office demands

Individuals, including children, are being held by the PA security force despite court orders for their release, the UN office confirmed.

JULY 26, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

Police officers stand guard as Palestinians protest outside the Prime Minister's office, calling on the government to fulfil demands related to prisoners and injured people, in Ramallah, the West Bank, May 31, 2026

'Today's arena is social media': Korin Gideon on politics, body confidence, life in public eye

Gideon revealed that former cabinet minister and UN ambassador Gilad Erdan approached her about a possible move into politics ahead of Israel’s 2026 national election.

JULY 26, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Korin Gideon standing in the house,at the Big Brother reality show, during the final at Neve Ilan studio, April 6, 2016.

UN chief visit to Syria seen by Damascus as key step towards reconstruction after war - analysis

UN Chief António Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday for the first visit by a UN chief in 17 years, pledging support as Syria seeks reconstruction and renewed international ties.

JULY 25, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) receives UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the People's Palace in Damascus on July 25, 2026.

Guterres makes first visit to Syria by UN chief since before civil war

"The United Nations stands with Syria at this pivotal moment," Guterres said in a post on X on arriving for what he described as a "visit of solidarity."

JULY 25, 2026ByREUTERS