UN SG Race: 4 Candidates, High Stakes

0:00On April 20th, four candidates are auditioning this week to replace Antonio Guterres as United Nations Secretary General when his term ends December 31st. That's a sharp drop from the 13 who competed back in 2016. Kicking things off Tuesday, Chile's former President Michelle Baschley faces questions from ambassadors of the 193 member. Nations, followed by Argentina's Rafael Mariano Grossi, the U.N. nuclear chief. Wednesday brings Costa Rica's replica green span, the trade head, and Senegal's former President Mackie Saul. The world looks way different now than a decade ago, with deep divisions blocking U.N. action on wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and elsewhere. Back then, the organization rode high on the Paris climate deal and global development goals. Today, its cloud is fading, making governments cautious about nominating anyone. Candidates are risking real diplomatic fallout if they slip up with powerhouses like Washington or Beijing. In 2016, big names jumped in

1:05just to boost their profiles with little downside. Regional tradition points to Latin America this round, after Europe's Guterres, though Eastern Europe still waits its turn. Pressure for the first female secretary general lingers, with two women in the mix and backing from Guterres, Britain, France, and women's groups. But U.S. Republicans want to block Bashlet over her views, and Donald Trump's return has diplomats betting against the woman winning. More nominees could still emerge since there's no deadline, but straw polls my rapid of soon, like last time. Expect the Security Council to narrow the field amid these global tensions. That's your update from U.S. News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with The Story.