![The United Nations called a ceasefire at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic for the world's armed conflicts.](https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/united-nations-pandemic-coronavirus-world-armed-conflicts-03212023-1.jpg?w=519&h=259&crop=1)
Three years ago, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on warring parties to “put armed conflict on lockdown” to allow health workers to fight COVID-19. The call for a global cease-fire created a glimmer of hope during the early days of the pandemic. But today it feels like a historical footnote from a very different time.