Betsy Pisik

U.N. diplomats leave Ahmadinejad speech

Several delegations, including the United States, walked out of the General Assembly chambers just as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began to speak. Published September 24, 2009

Gadhafi tires U.N. with rambling speech

Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi used his first appearance before the United Nations to inveigh against the decision-making structure of the world body and call for investigations of all the wars and assassinations that have taken place since the United Nations was founded 64 years ago. Published September 23, 2009

Obama, African leaders huddle at United Nations

President Obama met Tuesday with two dozen African leaders who shared their concerns about struggling economies and political instability, White House officials and diplomats said. Published September 23, 2009

Warm reception likely for Obama at U.N.

President Obama's popularity has slipped among Americans as he labors to pass a tough domestic agenda, but he can expect a warm welcome when he visits the United Nations this week. Published September 20, 2009

U.N. to address rape as a tool of war

This month's annual U.N. gathering of world leaders will address a little-publicized topic: the epidemic of rape in conflict-afflicted areas, especially the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Published September 14, 2009

General Assembly chief at U.N. fires up critics

U.N. General Assembly president Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann has ignored decades of tradition: He has never met an injustice he could not renounce, nor championed a cause without vigor and plain-spoken indignation. Published September 13, 2009

Survivors of Congo’s rape epidemic rebuild

Masika Katsuva was once the wife of a successful businessman, an educated woman who raised her four daughters also to be strong and proud. Published September 10, 2009

Congo: Men told not to shun raped women

On a recent rainy afternoon, 100 Congolese soldiers lined up in a shabby formation to participate in anti-rape "sensitization" training. Published September 9, 2009

Congo’s shame: Rape used as tool of war

KIWANJA, Congo | Rape has been a tool of war throughout human history, but rarely in modern times have its practitioners been so cruel, indiscriminate or pervasive. Published September 8, 2009

Congo: An African country that’s broken

To understand what is wrong with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you need only try driving here. Published September 8, 2009

Congo’s mineral wealth lures exploiters

The Democratic Republic of the Congo holds a treasure trove of valuable minerals that are at once the country's greatest blessing and most enduring curse. Published September 8, 2009

Obstacles steep to lasting peace in Congo

Atoki Christian Ileka has represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the United Nations since 1999, when the country was still called Zaire. He sat down recently with The Washington Times' U.N. correspondent, Betsy Pisik, and spoke candidly about why it has been so difficult to bring peace to his country. Published September 8, 2009

U.N. peacekeepers in Congo without peace

On a winter night shortly after dark, a group of armed men burst out of the Congolese jungle and attacked a small camp here for displaced families. Published September 8, 2009

In Congo, Clinton signals support

The Obama administration has signaled its concern for the Democratic Republic of Congo by sending Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton there last month, but restoring stability will require a long-term commitment of money, education, military training and enough political will to force Central African governments to hammer out a sustainable peace. Published September 8, 2009

EXCLUSIVE: Staffers deemed unsafe at 20 U.N. outposts

At least 20 U.N. outposts in dangerous corners of the world suffer from inadequate security despite rising threats to the organization, the U.N. director of security says. Published September 1, 2009

20 U.N. outposts called terror risks

At least 20 U.N. outposts in dangerous corners of the world fail to meet minimum security standards, the U.N. director of security says. Published August 31, 2009

Lockerbie bomber given hero’s welcome

Waves of anguish gripped the American families of Lockerbie victims Thursday as the only person ever convicted in the deaths of their loved ones walked free. Published August 21, 2009

India hit for rising religious violence

An independent U.S. agency on Wednesday criticized the Indian government's "inadequate" response to growing religious hatred, saying attacks and violent riots are on the rise. Published August 13, 2009

U.S. re-embraces relationship with U.N.

Declaring "the United States is back," the Obama administration pledged Wednesday to turn more frequently to the United Nations and work with the world body on the basis of decency and mutual respect, rather than condescension and contempt. Published August 13, 2009

Leaders decry Suu Kyi’s sentence

World leaders Tuesday denounced a Myanmar court's decision to sentence democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi to 18 months of house arrest, a term that will likely keep her from participating in next year's elections. Published August 12, 2009