The Effects Of United Nations Security Council Veto Power On Stability Of States: A Case Study Of Syria And Its Neighbors

Abstract

This study examined the effects of UNSC veto powers on stability of Syria and its neighbors from 2011 to 2019. The central argument of this study is that the UNSC has failed to execute its mandate and restore stability in Syria. While the permanent members contest to maintain their economic and political interests in the country, the Syrian people have been suffering from the scourge of the civil war that forced millions of civilians to flee their homes and claimed more than half a million lives. The study argued that the permanent members failed to adopt resolutions that could have averted the crisis. For example, from October 2011 to December 2019, the Russian Federation, along with China, rejected 14 draft resolutions that sought to end the civil war and terminate humanitarian crisis. As a result, the spillover effect of the Syrian civil war has been detrimental in terms of economic, political and social well-being not only to the neighboring countries such as Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon but also to Europe and North America. Adopting resolutions that seek to halt the catastrophe would minimize the spillover effect. The veto power would require renouncing their veto powers in case of mass atrocities and need to reconsider their economic and political interest if it compromises the stability of Syria and its neighbors. To this end, the UN could organize a committee that examines if (1) there has been mass atrocity in Syria and (2) if it requires UNSC interference. Following the failure of the Council to adopt resolutions that could avert the Syrian crisis, there have been a number of reform proposals that sought to bring change in the Council. Nonetheless, since these proposals should be adopted by the permanent members, this subject has been in deadlock. The study concludes that it would be in the best interest of the permanent members of the Council, Syrian neighbors and the international community to take a swift measure and tackle the crisis.