This completely revised and updated seventh edition serves as the definitive text for courses in which the United Nations is either the focus or a central component. Built around three critical themes in international relations-peace and security, human rights, and humanitarian affairs-the seventh edition of The United Nations and Changing World Politics guides students through the complexity of politics and almost seven decades of UN activities. Students of all levels will learn what the UN is, how it operates, and what its relationships are with the universe of external actors and institutions, from sovereign states to the plethora of nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations now playing important roles in world politics. This new edition is fully revised to take into account recent events, including the impact of the global financial crisis and recession on international politics, UN actibvities related to peacekeeping and natural disasters, the UN's actions in Libya and Syria and the Arab Spring, the tenure of Ban Ki-moon, Rio+20, and the Iranian nuclear issue.