...where theory meets practice and practice loses...
on Sunday hoping to breathe new life into the world body, in the wake of its impotence over Syria's humanitarian catastrophe. The Portuguese former prime minister, 67, will become the first onetime head of government to lead the UN, succeeding South Korea's
the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon for a five-year term.His unanimous election has energized UN diplomats who see him as a skilled politician who may be able to overcome the divisions crippling the United Nations.
Guterres faces a monumental task grappling with complex crises in Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Burundi,
North Korea and elsewhere -- overseeing a clunky entrenched bureaucracy and a bitterly divided Security Council that will leave him little room to maneuver.Donald Trump
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States...
's arrival in the White House on January 20 likely will further complicate his task.
Guterres has acknowledged that "the secretary general is not the leader of the world," but rather that his work depends on the goodwill of the world's great powers.
After two terms under Ban, widely criticized for lacking initiative and charisma, some diplomats are banking on a change of style and personality to revitalize the U.N.
An engineer by training and a practicing Catholic, Guterres fought for
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
and working to raise living standards.
He has laid out three priorities for change: working for peace, supporting sustainable development and improving internal UN management.
One issue looms above the others, however.
"My deepest regret on leaving office is the continuing nightmare in Syria," Ban recently declared.
Guterres has acknowledged the criticism, saying "it is time for the United Nations to recognize its shortcomings and to reform the way it works."
"The United Nations needs to be nimble, efficient and effective."
He has already begun implementing one of his promises -- working toward gender parity -- by appointing three women from developing countries to key positions, including Nigeria's Environment Minister Amina Mohammed as deputy secretary general.