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wrap up on Sept. 28.U.S. President Donald Trump and his senior officials have strongly criticized the United Nations, withdrawn from multiple U.N. organizations, and reduced funding.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.
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