Global crises

The campaign against "Islamic State" (IS) terrorists and the rapidly spreading Ebola epidemic are two of the most pressing issues facing the world right now. As world leaders met in New York this week, both crises became even more dramatic, turning the United Nations General Assembly into a global crisis meeting.

But that's not to say that the UN is the most suitable manager in times of crisis. After all, it wasn't the UN but US President Barack Obama who took the initiative and a strong hand against "IS" and Ebola, meaning this General Assembly has, more than ever, been dominated by the Americans.

Obama's decision, on the eve of the General Assembly, to catapult the fight against "IS" into a new phase with airstrikes in Syria, proved to be a smart move. Even before the beginning of his speech on Wednesday, he had made his mark at the General Assembly and set in motion the expansion of the coalition against "IS." By the end of the week, the US had been joined by the United Kingdom, along with smaller European countries, like Belgium and Denmark.

International community recognizes the danger

But even more important than this new phalanx of allies, however, is the change in the political climate. The international community now sees the unprecedented degree of terror and violence as a challenge that must be confronted together. Some Arab states, which have held back in the past, have now taken clear stands against "IS." And even Russia voted in favor of the resolution put forward by Obama against so-called foreign fighters, or Westerners who have joined the battle in Iraq and Syria on the side of the "Islamic State."

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier had a hard time making Berlin's voice heard in this political climate; not least because of the Obama administration's unspoken expectation that Germany participate in the coalition's airstrikes.

Germany's decision to arm Kurdish fighters may be a big step for Chancellor Angela Merkel's government - but that's only the view from Berlin. For the coalition, the arms are simply a matter of course which, when faced with military advances of "IS" terrorists and the hundreds of thousands of Kurds fleeing to Turkey, are just a drop in the bucket.

Refugee conference in Berlin

Nevertheless, in the end, Steinmeier still managed to play an important part. With his announcement of plans for an international conference on the refugee crisis set to take place in Berlin, Steinmeier played Germany's strongest card: Its competence when it comes to humanitarian aid. These skills are also in high demand in the fight against Ebola - even though, here again, the Americans are at the center of things, now that Obama has sent 3,000 military and medical personnel to the affected African countries.

The Ukraine crisis remained in the background in New York, perhaps due to the - admittedly fragile - ceasefire, which has helped to ease tensions in the region. And yet, it was right for Steinmeier to take advantage of his speech in front of the General Assembly to address Russia directly.

With rare clarity, he accused Moscow of breaking the law. Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, retaliated shortly afterward in his own speech, accusing the West of imposing on Syrian sovereignty with its airstrikes against "IS" militants and resorting to arrogant, Cold-War style military interference.

West-East similarities

The good news, however, is that Russia and the West are nevertheless pulling together when it comes to two central conflicts: The fight against the "Islamic State" and the nuclear conflict with Iran. But unlike last year, when Iran's newly elected President Hassan Rouhani surprised the West with a charm offensive, this time the positions in the negotiations have hardened.

A year ago, New York was the starting point for a transition agreement that brought Iran an alleviation of economic sanctions. This year, however, the political dynamics of the UN weren't enough to make a difference - and Steinmeier, that political expert, committed a blunder when he said that both parties were closer than ever to an agreement.

The annual UN General Assembly is a unique platform for world leaders to handle international conflicts. However, the real crisis management almost always occurs elsewhere, away from the UN committees - proof that the world body must finally adopt reforms and catch up with the modern world. Steinmeier made this point in his speech, though not entirely without self-interest: A newly restructured UN Security Council could possibly provide Germany with its long-awaited permanent seat.

But since the agenda of the UN General Assembly is dictated almost entirely by current political issues, hardly any room was left for long-term strategic discussion. This year's climate summit chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was the laudable exception. But pressing issues such as future population growth, the distribution of resources or nuclear disarmament were scarcely mentioned in New York.