The arsonist: in his first six months at the UN, John Bolton has offended allies, blocked crucial negotiations, undermined the Secretary of State--and harmed U.S. interests. We expected bad; we didn't expect this bad.(Cover Story)(Biography)

THERE IS AN EXCELLENT COFFEE SHOP IN THE basement of the United Nations building in New York. The espresso is served bitter and strong, Italian style. Sandwiches can be bought on hard French baguettes, and the pastries are always fresh. Whenever a meeting lets out in one of the conference rooms adjacent to the shop, diplomats make a beeline to the cash registers. Others light cigarettes: Though the United Nations is in Manhattan, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-smoking crusade has not yet penetrated the complex, which sits on international land; so, beneath conspicuous no-smoking signs, diplomats routinely light up, creating a hazy plume that gives the Vienna Cafe ...