The US State Department announced on Tuesday the official withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a move that reflects escalating political tensions between Washington and international organizations.
This is not the first time the United States has withdrawn from the organization. It previously withdrew in the 1980s, then returned later, and withdrew again in 2018 before temporarily resuming its participation. This new move comes amid ongoing US criticism of the organization's management and issues related to representation and voting.