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This report offers pragmatic recommendations to improve U.N. situational awareness, cognizant of the constraints that have undermined past attempts. It begins by defining and explaining key concepts (situational awareness, intelligence, early warning, etc.). It then examines the need for improved situational awareness, comparing the U.N. with national systems, and considers the fate of past reform efforts. The report goes on to map out existing situational awareness entities and processes within the U.N. before analyzing the opportunities and challenges involved in improving U.N. situational awareness. Finally, it offers recommendations for the establishment of a U.N. situational awareness system.