Large numbers of intellectuals and commentators, uneasy at the consequences of a victory whose causes they had never properly understood, sought to submerge America and the West in a new, muddled multilateralism.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: 'Courage'

Even many of America's allies have been alarmed at the apparent disdain for multilateralism of the new administration.

ECONOMIST: America and the UN

Eliasson pleaded for early warning mechanisms, and stronger capacities to manage natural resources, underlining the role of new technologies, education and multilateralism to do so.

UNESCO: Communication and Information