What Should He Do?

The role of the UN Secretary General is a strange one: he has a giant bully pulpit but little executive authority. More effectual power for the Secretary would, however, negate the coalition-building mission of the UN. So the Secretary's position would seem to be structured for frustration: diplomat to all, spokesperson for none, he or she even has to worry about crossing the diplomatic tripwires ("genocide" being key among them) that might prove the organization's hollowness.

Personally, I have a great deal of respect for Kofi Annan. I think he has been consistent, measured, and honest during the past few years of wildly fluctuating American discourse. No, he hasn't become an absolutist on some important issues, but, let's be frank, it's only in America that absolutist positions are required in political discourse--and it's to our detriment.

So, flame on about the UN and Kofi's position therein. Just, please, don't be tedious or petty.