Kofi Annan briefed the press today on his efforts as the United Nations/Arab League special envoy for Syria. His main message was that the small, fitful observer mission is the last best hope to prevent a full scale civil war in Syria.
The world is closer than ever to ridding the planet of the polio virus, but the global polio eradication effort faces a huge funding shortfall that may undermine humanity's progress against the disease.
Also, American voters support funding for UN agencies, event though these agencies are threatened with funding cut offs. Candidates who engage in campaign season style UN bashing do so their own political peril.
