'Peacemaker': U Thant's grandson tells his grandfather's story in new book

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published September 9, 2025 at 11:50 AM EDT

Burmese diplomat and Secretary-General of the United Nations U Thant in his office, U.S., Nov. 19 1968. (Harry Benson/Daily Express/Getty Images)

In the early 1960s, U Thant, a practicing Buddhist from a remote town in Burma, became the first non-Western secretary-general of the United Nations. He was immediately faced with unfolding crises in Congo, Yemen, Cyprus, India, Pakistan and Cuba.

We talk with Thant鈥檚 grandson, historian , about how his grandfather鈥檚 diplomacy de-escalated conflicts, gave voice to the newly decolonized, and safeguarded the environment. His new book, 鈥�,鈥� describes his grandfather鈥檚 journey to becoming the Cold War era鈥檚 preeminent ambassador of peace.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de 黑料新闻, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programaci贸n que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para m谩s reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscr铆base a nuestro bolet铆n informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

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