The United Nations Resolutions on Syria: Exploration of Motivation from Russia and China

Abstract

This article interrogates the United Nations Security Council’s response to the Syrian crises and explores themotivation from Russia and China for vetoing all attempts to impose sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad’sregime. The paper argues that although China’s decision to collaborate with Russia in the Syrian crises displayedtheir mutual determination to check the United States’ unilateral regime change in Syria, they acted in protectionof their respective national interests in Syria, and that their actions had the effect of undermining the UnitedNations’ multilateral approach to international peace and security. The study recommended, among other things,the enlargement of the Security Council to accommodate the major regions of the world in order to enhance theCouncil’s authority, modify the right of veto, and thereby make the adoption of resolutions and the prospect oftheir enforcement possible.Keywords: United Nations, Resolution, Syria, Veto, Russia, China.