September 10, 2026
What America’s Adversaries and Allies Hope to Gain at the U.N. General Assembly
This article was originally published in War on the Rocks.
This year’s U.N. General Assembly officially opened on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The annual gathering gives diplomats and leaders a valuable opportunity to press their foreign policy priorities and engage — formally and informally — with both partners and adversaries.
More broadly, the Trump administration’s moves to withdraw some U.S. troops, shift more of the security burden to allies, and impose tariffs on allies and adversaries alike have signaled to the world that the United States no longer intends to play its traditional role in sustaining the United Nations and the international political and economic system it underpins.
Most heads of state will arrive later this month for the General Debate that begins on Sept. 22. The General Assembly will wrap up on Sept. 28.U.S. President Donald Trump and his senior officials have strongly criticized the United Nations, withdrawn from multiple U.N. organizations, and reduced funding.
Read the full article in War on the Rocks.
More from CNAS
-
A Report Card for Europe’s Defense Industry
Podcast
As the war in Ukraine rages on, Ukraine has struggled this summer with a munitions shortage. With U.S. supplies strained by the war with Iran, European governments are having ...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
-
Sep 04, ’26 Washington Roundtable
Podcast
Jim Townsend, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, joins the Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast to discuss the latest on the Iran War, Russi...
By Jim Townsend
-
Putin Says Ukraine Peace Deal Is Possible: Is This a New Path to Peace?
Video
Jim Townsend, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, joins Al Arabiya English to discuss Russian president Vladimir Putin's comments on reaching a...
By Jim Townsend
-
A Surprise Moscow Visit and Russia vs. the West with Hanna Notte
Podcast
Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe made a highly unusual visit to Moscow this week. Although we don’t know with certainty everything that was discussed, multi...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
