Messy, troubled, unpredictable: Diplomats describe a world in turmoil as UN opens annual meeting

UNITED NATIONS — World leaders convene at the U.N. General Assembly amid escalating crises: two major wars in Europe and the Middle East, regional conflict involving Iran and Israel, an unstable global economy, and shifting geopolitical power dynamics. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned of "deep uncertainty" as diplomats gather Tuesday, noting institutions must adapt to rapid change. Recent months saw the U.S.-backed removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a deadly Iranian crackdown, a U.S.-Israel attack on Tehran, Ebola outbreaks in Central Africa, and severe natural disasters, leaving multilateral organizations struggling to forge consensus on peace, security, and climate action.