United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2011
Ownership
PassBlue is an independent, U.S.-based nonprofit digital publication covering the United Nations, founded in 2011 as a project of the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies at the City University of New York. It later moved to The New School and now operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the Institute for Nonprofit News, so it has no commercial owner.
Funding
It is supported by tax-deductible donations and philanthropic grants rather than advertising. Funders include the Carnegie Corporation of New York (a backer since 2013), the Open Society Foundations, the Pinkerton Foundation, the Wallace Global/Fox-type foundations and thousands of individual donors.
Affiliation & stance
PassBlue focuses on accountability reporting on the UN and global affairs with a center-left orientation, but it is not tied to any party, government or the UN itself. As a foundation- and donor-funded independent nonprofit with its own editorial control, it is classified INDEPENDENT (center-left).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Left
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Leftbased on 11
84/100
Factual
80/100
Objective
14
Articles
14
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Recent coverage
‘We’ve Prevented a Crash,’ Says UN Controller About the Organization’s Cash Woes
The United Nations has temporarily overhauled a decades-old financial rule that required returning unspent credits to member states, which contributed to its liquidity crisis. The change, adopted through a General Assembly resolution on June 30, 2026, allows the UN to avoid a 'crash' by treating uncollected dues as debts rather than credits. This shift, pushed by Secretary-General António Guterres, aims to provide financial relief during a period where only 56% of the regular budget has been collected. The new approach will operate on a four-year trial basis and is expected to alleviate pressures on both the general budget and peacekeeping operations.
Israeli forces detain Palestinian women in West Bank raids
Israeli security forces conducted early morning raids in the West Bank, detaining five Palestinian women, including Itaf Badr, a member of a health charity board. The raids occurred in cities such as Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem, with families and Palestinian rights groups reporting the incidents. While Palestinian men and boys have historically been the main targets of Israeli military actions, there has been an increasing trend of detaining women and girls. According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, the number of Palestinian women and girls in Israeli detention has more than doubled since the start of the Israel-Hamas war and increased by 80% since 2026. Some detainees were arrested for social media posts criticizing the occupation or the Gaza war, while others were affiliated with Palestinian political parties' student branches. Many were held without formal charges under Israel’s administrative detention policy. The Israeli military stated that some detainees were suspected of promoting terrorist activities, though some have since been released.
How a UN Agency Helps to Enable US Policy on Third-Country Deportees
This article discusses the role of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, in facilitating the U.S. practice of deporting migrants and asylum seekers to third countries, including those lacking basic human rights protections. It highlights the case of the Central African Republic, where a deportation agreement was signed with the U.S., resulting in the arrival of deportees, including Iranian activists and others, in a country the U.S. State Department advises against visiting. The IOM provides post-arrival humanitarian assistance and has received significant funding from the U.S. government. Critics argue that while the IOM is supposed to adhere to international law principles like non-refoulement, its involvement in managing deportations may enable a system that puts vulnerable individuals at risk. The article notes that many third-country agreements remain undisclosed and that the U.S. has expanded such practices under the Trump administration, with legal backing from the Supreme Court.
Will Secretary-General Candidates’ Dual Citizenships Trip Them Up?
The article discusses concerns raised by UN member states regarding the dual citizenship of several candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General. Among the six current candidates, two—Rafael Grossi of Argentina and María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador—hold dual citizenship, while others have sole citizenship in their home countries. The focus is on how these citizenship statuses might influence the Security Council's voting during the upcoming straw-polling process, particularly with regard to potential tensions involving Argentina's claim over the Falkland Islands. While the UN Charter does not set citizenship requirements for the position, diplomats suggest that being associated with the 'global North' could lead to disapproval from a veto-wielding council member. The article highlights the broader implications of nationality in international diplomacy and the potential for such factors to affect the selection process.
The High Costs and Failed Ambitions of Trump’s War
The article analyzes the aftermath of a U.S.-led military action against Iran initiated under former President Donald Trump, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which began on February 28, 2026. It highlights the significant human and economic costs of this conflict, including thousands of civilian casualties, widespread destruction of infrastructure, and the displacement of millions. Despite recent diplomatic efforts such as a U.S.-mediated framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon and ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, tensions remain high, with continued airstrikes and threats from both sides. The article criticizes the legality of the war under international law and notes the loss of U.S. credibility and financial resources.
The UN Human Rights Office Moves Out of the Palais Wilson
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has been located in the Palais Wilson in Geneva since 1998. This historic building was previously home to the League of Nations. Due to long-term relocation plans accelerated by UN-wide budget reforms, the OHCHR is moving to a new location called Building H on the UN campus of the Palais des Nations. The move is part of broader administrative changes within the UN system. The article includes photographs showcasing both the current Palais Wilson and the new facility.
![[UN: June 19] New Sec-Gen Nominees Grilled, Government Forces Killing Children & Lots More](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=passblue.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F06%2FSecretary-General-Antonio-Guterress-visit-to-Haiti.jpg&w=3840&q=75&output=webp&we)
[UN: June 19] New Sec-Gen Nominees Grilled, Government Forces Killing Children & Lots More
The United Nations reported that government forces have become the leading perpetrators of violence against children in global conflicts, surpassing nonstate armed groups for the first time in 2025. According to the UN's annual 'Children and Armed Conflict' report, government forces accounted for more grave violations against children than the 67 listed armed groups combined. The report found 38,558 confirmed violations affecting 24,174 children, including a 34% increase in verified child killings compared to the prior year. This shift was attributed to increased use of AI and drones by state actors. The findings sparked tension during a UN meeting where Israeli envoy Danny Danon demanded the resignation of Pramila Patten, head of the Sexual Violence in Conflict office, after her report criticized Israel. The UN chief, António Guterres, recently visited Haiti amid ongoing instability.
Guyana’s Candidate Is Aiming to Be the First ‘She’ Secretary-General
Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Guyana's permanent representative to the United Nations, presented her candidacy for the position of UN Secretary-General during an informal dialogue at the UN General Assembly. She emphasized her vision of leadership as pragmatic and principled, highlighting the need for a leader who can serve as an administrator, peacemaker, mediator, and negotiator. Rodrigues Birkett described herself as prepared for the responsibilities of the role and stressed the importance of equal treatment of the UN's three pillars: peace and security, development, and human rights.
Armenia’s Post-Electoral Path Moves Toward Europe and Away From Russia
Armenia's recent elections have positioned the country on a more direct path toward Europe and away from Russia, according to the article. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his party, Civil Contract, secured a third term in a highly polarized election marked by divisive narratives, pressure on public sector workers, arrests of opposition figures, and allegations of Russian disinformation. International observers described the election as 'calm and well-administered.' Many political analysts and Western nations see Pashinyan's victory as a challenge to Russia's declining influence in the South
The Latest Candidate to Lead the UN Suggests Creating a Crisis-Prevention Hub
María Fernanda Espinosa, a former defense and foreign minister of Ecuador and ex-president of the UN General Assembly, has officially entered the race to become the next UN secretary-general. She participated in a General Assembly informal dialogue on June 15, 2026, where she emphasized the need for the UN to 'rebuild credibility.' Espinosa was nominated by Antigua and Barbuda and is one of several candidates vying for the position.
The UN Chief’s Plan to Ease the Organization’s Cash Crunch
The United Nations is facing a severe liquidity crisis due to delayed or unpaid dues from member states, including the United States. Secretary-General António Guterres has issued warnings about the potential collapse of the organization's operations and proposed a temporary solution based on a decades-old financial rule. However, this measure is seen as only a short-term fix.
![[UN: June 12] Geneva’s Secretary-General Debate, World Cup Kicks Off & Lots More](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=passblue.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F06%2FScreenshot-2026-06-12-at-1.23.52-PM.jpg&w=3840&q=75&output=webp&we)
[UN: June 12] Geneva’s Secretary-General Debate, World Cup Kicks Off & Lots More
The article discusses various international news items including a new artwork donated to the UN Refugee Agency, the election of five new countries to the UN Security Council, and efforts to combat child labor through education. It also mentions ongoing issues such as blocked Gaza crossings, disability rights progress, and women's rights protests in Afghanistan. Additionally, it references a statement from the U.S. representative to the UN regarding reforms.
Free Education Is Crucial to Combating Child Labor
An article discusses the importance of free education in reducing child labor, using the example of Peter from Liberia who dropped out of school due to financial constraints. It highlights the role of education in protecting children from exploitation and providing them with opportunities to escape poverty.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Nothing flagged as overlooked yet.