After a second attack on the UN in September, the organization pulled out of Iraq altogether. He would not be fortunate enough to see his mission through: before the month was over, a truck bomb detonated outside the UN headquarters in Baghdad, killing Vieira de Mello and 21 others. By August, as the UN grew sidelined, Vieira de Mello’s frustration and concerns mounted. The situation also became increasingly dangerous as sectarian violence and terrorism began to spread. The UN’s envoy chafed at the militarization of foreign rule in Iraq. Vieira de Mello spent his time meeting with Iraqi political, religious, and civil-society leaders, and advocating with the CPA’s leadership for improving the treatment of prisoners, devolving more powers to Iraqis, and ultimately setting a clear path towards elections. He also aimed to counterbalance the authority of the Coalition Provisional Authority - the United States-led body that ruled Iraq following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein - with a more multilateral approach. The Brazilian, one of the UN’s most experienced senior diplomats and managers, was tasked with restoring self-government.

In June of 2003, the United Nations dispatched Sergio Vieira de Mello to Iraq. War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence, by Ronan Farrow, W. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard Holbrooke speaks with then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during talks in Washington, DC., in February 2009 ( Getty Images / Zimbio)

Ronan farrow diplomacy