Welcome to the first episode of the Democratic Security Institute’s new interview series, where we speak with leading scholars, academics, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the most pressing issues in international affairs, security, and global governance.
In this inaugural episode, we are joined by Dr. Anthony Lang Jnr for a wide-ranging discussion on the past, present, and future of the United Nations. Together, we explore the UN’s evolution as a cornerstone of the international system, its role in conflict management and peacebuilding, and the challenges it faces in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
The conversation examines the relationship between the United States and the UN, the organisation’s role in shaping global values and international law, and the tensions between legitimacy, effectiveness, and state sovereignty. Dr. Lang also reflects on the challenges of slow global governance, the difficulties of enforcing international law, and ongoing debates surrounding reform of the UN Security Council.
This interview marks the beginning of a new Democratic Security Institute project dedicated to bringing expert perspectives from academia and policy into public conversation.