Security Council Report Podcast

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Managing Editor Paul Romita to discuss SCR's August 2026 In Hindsight: The Security Council in 2026: Mid-Year Scorecard and Looking Ahead. The conversation examines the Security Council's performance in the first half of 2026, a period marked by deep divisions among members amid a rapidly deteriorating international peace and security environment. It explores trends in the Council's work, including a decline in meetings and outcomes, continued difficulties in achieving consensus, and the impact of geopolitical tensions on the Council's ability to respond to major crises. The discussion also considers significant developments related to UN peace operations, the selection of the next Secretary-General, and ongoing delays in the allocation of subsidiary body chairs. It reflects on what these dynamics reveal about the Council's effectiveness and adaptability, and assesses the challenges and key decisions that lie ahead in the second half of the year.For more info, please see our websiteExplore ways of supporting our work hereFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updatesEpisode produced and edited by Vladimir Sesar

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR’s Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Senior Policy Analyst Sara Bertotti to discuss recent developments in the UN Secretary-General selection and appointment process following the first Security Council straw poll. This episode reviews the results of the 30 July straw poll, including the relatively high number of “no opinion expressed” votes, and discusses Council responses to a last-minute nomination before the informal vote took place. It also examines the balance between the roles of the Security Council and the General Assembly, and whether the straw poll results should be made public.  SCR's 29 July What’s in Blue story: First Security Council Straw Poll on UN Secretary-General Candidates  SCR's 2026 Research Report: Power, Process and Participation: The Search for the Next Secretary-General SCR's 2017 Research Report: The UN Secretary-General Selection and Appointment Process: Emerging from the Shadows For more information, please see our website Explore ways of supporting our work here Follow us: @SCRtweets Subscribe here for updates Episode produced and edited by Vladimir Sesar 

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with SCR’s Deputy Managing Editor for What’s in Blue, Alina Entelis, to discuss her latest In Hindsight article: A Second Year of Delays in the Allocation of Subsidiary Body Chairs.  More than seven months into 2026, Council members have been unable to reach agreement on the allocation of subsidiary body chairs and vice-chairs, making it the longest period with no subsidiary body chairs and vice-chairs since this decision was first recorded in a presidential note in 1979. This episode explores the reasons for the current impasse, discusses the prolonged delay’s ramifications on the Council’s work, and proposes potential modifications to the subsidiary body allocation process.  SCR's July In Hindsight: A Second Year of Delays in the Allocation of Subsidiary Body Chairs For more info, please see our website Explore ways of supporting our work here Follow us: @SCRtweets Produced by Vladimir Sesar

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Managing Editor Paul Romita and Deputy Manging Editor Dawit Yirga to discuss SCR's latest research report: The Security Council and the Power of the Pen. The conversation explores how the penholder system shapes the Security Council’s drafting process and response to crises, and why it has become a focal point of concern for many member states. It examines growing dissatisfaction among elected members with the concentration of drafting authority in the hands of a few permanent members, and discusses how the E10 have sought to expand their role through co-penholdership and calls for more equitable burden-sharing. It also reflects on what these evolving dynamics mean for the Council’s effectiveness, transparency, and legitimacy, and considers possible avenues for reform.SCR research report: The Security Council and the Power of the Pen For more info, please see our websiteExplore ways of supporting our work hereFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updatesEpisode produced and edited by Vladimir Sesar

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR’s Executive Director Shamala Kandiah and Senior Policy Analyst Sara Bertotti sit down to discuss some of the highlights of their recently issued research report Power, Process and Participation: The Search for the Next Secretary-General. The report offers an analytically grounded overview of the rules, procedures, and informal practices shaping how the next UN Secretary-General will be selected and appointed. It draws lessons from the 2015/2016 process, examines dynamics and recent developments, and highlights potential challenges that may emerge while also providing options to address them.The discussion reviews the main steps of the process as well as some of the upcoming key decisions that the Council is expected to make this month, including regarding the modalities of the Council’s meetings with the candidates and of the straw polls. SCR's May In Hindsight: The Search for the Next Secretary-General SCR's 2026 Research Report: Power, Process and Participation: The Search for the Next Secretary-GeneralSCR's 2017 Research Report: The UN Secretary-General Selection and Appointment Process: Emerging from the ShadowsFor more information, please see our websiteExplore ways of supporting our work here Follow us: @SCRtweets Subscribe here for updatesEpisode produced and edited by Vladimir Sesar

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Managing Editor Paul Romita to discuss SCR’s latest In Hindsight article: The Security Council in 2025 and the Year Ahead. The conversation explores how deep divisions among Council members shaped responses to major crises. They talk about what statistics reveal about the Council dynamics in 2025 and what could be some of the key challenges ahead in 2026. SCR's January 2026 In Hindsight: The Security Council in 2025 and the Year AheadFor more info, please see our websiteExplore ways of supporting our work here Follow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updatesEpisode produced and edited by Vladimir Sesar

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Policy Analyst Sara Bertotti sits down with Shamala Kandiah, SCR’s Executive Director, to discuss her latest In Hindsight article: The Search for the Next UN Secretary-General Begins. Drawing on SCR’s coverage of the 2015/2016 selection and appointment process, the discussion reviews the main steps of the process while also touching upon the negotiation of the joint letter issued by the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council on 25 November. The joint letter invited member states to present their candidates for the position, officially starting the process.SCR's December In Hindsight: The Search for the Next UN Secretary-General BeginsSCR's 25 November What’s in Blue story: Appointment of the Next UN Secretary-General: Joint Letter from the Presidents of the Security Council and the General AssemblySCR's 2017 Research Report: The UN Secretary-General Selection and Appointment Process: Emerging from the ShadowsFor more info, please see our websiteExplore ways of supporting our work here Follow us: @SCRtweets Subscribe here for updatesEpisode produced and edited by Vladimir Sesar

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Dawit Yirga, SCR's Deputy Managing Editor, to discuss the key findings from SCR's latest research report on the African members of the Security Council.   Research Report - From the Margins to the Center: The Rise of the A3 in the UN Security CouncilFor more info, please see our websiteExplore ways of supporting our work here. Follow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updates

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR’s Executive Director, Shamala Kandiah, sits down with Colin Keating, the organisation’s founding Executive Director, for a candid conversation about SCR’s beginnings, its founding vision, and the events that shaped its creation.For more info, please see our websiteExplore ways of supporting our work here. Follow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updatesEpisode produced and edited by Vladimir Sesar. 

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Mathew Blainey, SCR's Policy Analyst, to discuss his latest In Hindsight article: The Increasing Use of Article 51 of the UN Charter and the Security Council. SCR's October In Hindsight: The Increasing Use of Article 51 of the UN Charter and the Security CouncilFor more info, please see our websiteExplore ways of supporting our work here. Follow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updatesEpisode produced and edited by Vladimir Sesar. 

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Dawit Yirga, SCR's Deputy Managing Editor, to discuss the UN80 Initiative and its implications for the Security Council.  SCR's September In Hindsight: The Security Council and the UN80 Initiative—What Lies Ahead?For more info, please see our websiteExplore ways of supporting our work here. Follow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updates

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Paul Romita, SCR's Managing Editor, to discuss the year so far in the UN Security Council and the challenges ahead. SCR's August In Hindsight: A Council in WaitingFor more info, please see our websiteFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updates

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Alina Entelis, SCR's Deputy Managing Editor, to discuss the latest developments in the children and armed conflict agenda.  SCR's latest Research Report: Children and Armed Conflict: Progression, Regression or Maintenance of the Agenda?July Monthly Forecast In Hindsight: Moving Towards a Second Era of Application of the Tools of the Children and Armed Conflict AgendaSCR’s publications related to children and armed conflictFor more information, see our websiteFollow us: @SCRtweets Subscribe here for updates

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Paul Romita, SCR's Managing Editor and Dawit Yirga, SCR's Deputy Managing Editor, to discuss SCR's latest research report on 2025 Security Council Elections. SCR's Research Report: 2025 Security Council ElectionsFor more info, please see our websiteFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updates

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Dawit Yirga, SCR's Deputy Managing Editor, to discuss SCR's latest In Hindsight article: "Ensuring Effective Peace Operations in an Uncertain World".SCR's April In Hindsight: Ensuring Effective Peace Operations in an Uncertain WorldApril Monthly ForecastFor more info please see our websiteFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updates

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Katerina Limenopoulou, SCR's Chief Operating Officer, to discuss SCR's latest In Hindsight article on the 2025 Peacebuilding Review.SCR's February In Hindsight: The 2025 Peacebuilding ReviewFebruary Monthly ForecastFor more info please see our websiteFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updates

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Paul Romita, SCR's Managing Editor, to discuss SCR's latest In Hindsight article: The Security Council in 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025.SCR's January In Hindsight: The Security Council in 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025.January Monthly ForecastFor more info please see our websiteFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updates

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, SCR's Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with Dawit Yirga, SCR's Deputy Managing Editor, to discuss SCR's latest In Hindsight article on UN-AU Cooperation.SCR's November In Hindsight: UN-AU Cooperation: A Path Toward Networked Multilateralism or Fragmented Responses? November Monthly ForecastFor more info please see our websiteFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updates

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, incoming Executive Director Shamala Kandiah sits down with her predecessor, Karin Landgren, to discuss her latest In Hindsight article on the relevance of the Security Council. SCR's October In Hindsight "Does the Security Council Matter?"October Monthly ForecastFor more info please see our websiteFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe here for updates

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, Executive Director Karin Landgren sits down with SCR's Policy Analyst Gaurav Redhal to discuss the situation in Sudan.  SCR's reporting on SudanSeptember Monthly ForecastSCR's website: https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/Follow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, Executive Director Karin Landgren sits down with SCR's Managing Editor, Paul Romita, to discuss the relationship between international humanitarian law and the Security Council in light of the upcoming informal visit of members of the Council to Geneva to mark the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. SCR's August In Hindsight "The Geneva Conventions at 75: Much Work to be Done"August Monthly ForecastFor more info please see our websiteFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, Executive Director Karin Landgren sits down with SCR's Managing Editor, Paul Romita, to discuss Security Council reform following the 12 August Council debate hosted by Sierra Leone on "Addressing the historical injustice and enhancing Africa's effective representation in the UN Security Council".  SCR's August brief on "Addressing the historical injustice and enhancing Africa’s effective representation in the UN Security Council"August Monthly ForecastFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, Executive Director Karin Landgren sits down with SCR's Deputy Managing Editor in charge of What’s in Blue, Alina Entelis, to discuss recent developments and trends relating to the children and armed conflict agenda, one of the Security Council’s most developed thematic items. SCR's publications on Children and Armed ConflictJuly Monthly ForecastFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, Executive Director Karin Landgren sits down with SCR's Deputy Managing Editor, Dawit Yirga and Policy Analyst Gaurav Redhal to discuss Somalia's security transition and related Council discussions.   SCR's reporting on Somalia July Monthly ForecastFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, Executive Director Karin Landgren sits down with SCR's Deputy Managing Editor, Dawit Yirga to discuss Security Council oldest subsidiary body Military Staff Committee.SCR's In Hindsight on the Military Staff CommitteeJuly Monthly ForecastFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, Executive Director Karin Landgren sits down with SCR's Policy Analyst, Ben Villanti to discuss recently adopted UNOWAS Security Council presidential statement and developments in West Africa and the Sahel. SCR's publications on UNOWASSCR's What's in Blue story on UNOWAS presidential statementJune Monthly ForecastFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, Executive Director Karin Landgren sits down with SCR's Policy Analyst, Erik Ramberg to discuss SCR's latest research report on Security Council Elections 2024. Background reading: Security Council Elections 2024 research report: bit.ly/3VjRKh3June Monthly Forecast: https://bit.ly/3TWqQeyFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, Executive Director Karin Landgren sits down with SCR's Chief Operating Officer, Shamala Kandiah, and Managing Editor, Paul Romita, to discuss their latest 'In Hindsight' article in SCR's May Monthly Forecast. The article, titled "Applying to be a Member of the UN: The Palestinian Case," provides insightful analysis on this issue.Background reading: In Hindsight article bit.ly/3JGrze7May Monthly Forecast: https://bit.ly/3TWqQeyFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

In this episode of Interactive Dialogues, Executive Director Karin Landgren sits down with SCR's Deputy Managing Editor, Dawit Yirga, to discuss his latest 'In Hindsight' article in SCR's April Monthly Forecast. The article, titled "The Escalating Conflict in Eastern DRC and UN Support of Regional Forces," provides insightful analysis on the complex situation in the region.Background reading: In Hindsight article bit.ly/3PMgMCtResearch Report “The Financing of AU Peace Support Operations: Prospects for Progress in the Security Council?” bit.ly/3AyxehyApril Monthly Forecast: https://bit.ly/3TWqQeyFollow us: @SCRtweetsSubscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

This is the audio recording of SCR In Hindsight on "The Security Council and Conflict Prevention".This article featured in SCR March 2024 Monthly Forecast.Link to the article: bit.ly/49YVUQhLink to SCR March 2024 Monthly Forecast: bit.ly/3Go6IubSubscribe for updates from SCR: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9Follow us: @SCRtweetsSCR Chief Operating Officer Shamala Kandiah read the article.

This is the audio recording of SCR  In Hindsight on "The Financing of AU-led Peace Support Operations: Assessing Council Dynamics and Anticipating Future Action".This article featured in SCR February 2024 Monthly Forecast.Link to the article: https://bit.ly/3SGyc5eLink to SCR February 2024 Monthly Forecast: bit.ly/3Go6IubSubscribe for updates from SCR: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9The article was read by SCR Deputy Managing Editor Dawit Yirga. 

This is the audio recording of SCR In Hindsight on "The Security Council in 2023 ". This article featured in SCR January 2024 Monthly Forecast.Link to the article: https://bit.ly/48Gze6HLink to SCR January 2024 Monthly Forecast: bit.ly/3Go6IubSubscribe for updates from SCR: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9The article was read by SCR Executive Director Karin Landgren. 

This is the audio recording of SCR In Hindsight on "UN Security Council Sanctions "  This article featured in SCR December Monthly Forecast.Link to the article: https://bit.ly/47VIxiALink to SCR December Monthly Forecast: bit.ly/3Go6IubSubscribe for updates from SCR: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

This is the audio recording of SCR In Hindsight on "UN Transitions in a Fractured Multilateral Environment"  This article featured in SCR November Monthly Forecast.Link to the article: https://bit.ly/45TZlFhLink to SCR November Monthly Forecast: bit.ly/3SFRpVpSubscribe for updates from SCR: https://bit.ly/3GehzX9

This is the audio recording of SCR In Hindsight on "The UN Security Council and Regional Organisations: a Brief Exploration of Chapter VIII". This article featured in SCR October Monthly Forecast. Link to the article: https://t.co/66PxIgcuLc

Can elected members make a difference to the work of the UN Security Council? Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador I. Rhonda King reflects on her country’s membership of the Security Council (2020-21), covering the role of small states in the Council, the genesis of the A3 plus 1, the role of regional organisations and the changing nature of security. 

Can elected members make a difference to the work of the UN Security Council? Estonian Ambassador Sven Jurgenson reflects on his country’s membership of the Security Council (2020-21), with thoughts on cybersecurity, sanctions, and preventing deadly conflict.