This morning, President Barack Obama will chair a head of state-level meeting of the UN Security Council on nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear disarmament. The United States currently holds the Presidency of the Council.
I’m up at the UN now, in the chambers getting ready to cover the meeting.
One interesting tidbit is that President Obama invited former US Secretary of State George P. Schultz to attend this Security Council session. A Reagan administration cabinet member, Schultz is a strong proponent of global nuclear arms reduction and is also a supporter of American engagement in the United Nations.
During John Bolton’s assaults on the UN, both before he became Ambassador and during his tenure, Schultz was a healthy voice of heavyweight support for the institution.
Another interesting tidbit off topic is that I learned that Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cancelled a firmed up interview with Al Jazeera – with Al Jazeera management being told that President Ahmadinejad “expected more from Al Jazeera” in its coverage of Iran’s election. Iran’s current government did protest Al Jazeera’s coverage of the election protests and threatened the network with expulsion — but this interview at the United Nations was set and confirmed — and then cancelled at the last minute.
All part of the drama here at the world’s annual international political circus.
— Steve Clemons
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