Zwischen Stabilität, Visionen und Krisenmanagement: Ban Ki-moons erste Amtszeit als Generalsekretär

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's first term of office was not an easy one considering the long shadow that his charismatic predecessor Kofi Annan had cast (and for many still casts). However, reviewing Ban's work from 2007 through 2011 shows that he was by no means without success. Some of his achievements include, for example, a leading role in calling for a transition in the Middle east during the Arab Spring, and a move towards greater bureaucratic transparency and accountability. However, his leadership style, described by some as an "iron fist in a velvet glove" or "Asian style", has been found to be too hesitant and too reserved to meet the expectations for a UN Secretary-General in the 21st c.