With the first of a likely series of Security Council straw polls expected later this week, such a limited field raises troubling questions. What does it reveal about the determination of U.N. member states to identify the strongest and most effective possible leader? Although there is no formal regional rotation rule, many member states consider 2026 to be the turn of the Latin American and Caribbean group. Beyond nominating candidates, member states could act collectively to demand a woman be selected as secretary-general. The 112 member states that have already expressed strong support for a woman secretary-general comfortably exceed that threshold.