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I don't know if you all know what's up in Syria, but it is pretty crazy. The Syrian government, under Assad, in the past few days, has been murdering civilians in their homes and denying them access to medical care, though Syria's UN diplomat denies this saying that "no sensible person" would launch an attack on the citizens of his country the night before a security counsel debate. Considering there have been a great number of accounts and brutal photos circulating the internet, it is doubtful that the shots and accounts were made up or set up, as Syrian government officials have claimed.
The Security Counsel was meeting to discuss and vote on a resolution to Assad's war-machine rule in Syria. Essentially, if the resolution passed, resources and weapons would no longer become available to the Syrian government and would hopefully cause Assad to lose or give up power...at which time Syria would adopt a democratic government.
This resolution didn't pass after a veto from both China and Russia. Clinton called the veto a "travesty" and is now putting the death and blood of Syrian citizens on the hands of Russia and China as well. Because of their veto, she says, bloodshed will continue to flow and more Syrian citizens will continue to die.
Russia says that they vetoed the resolution because it was biased and it would mean that they would have to pick a side in a civil war--and they really don't want to do that, even though Syria is a huge ally of Russia's in the middle east. Additionally, China's veto came after Russia's and seems to be for the same reason. The Turkish Prime Minister accuses China and Russia of reverting to Cold War logic and not wanting to support this resolution simply because of their attitude against the West.
Many countries are in support of the resolution and really want to help get Assad out of power. Even other Middle Eastern countries have publicly decided they are opposed to Assad.
Do you think if there are enough countries that band together, they could form a new group and help Syria without the approval of Russia and China? What changes do you think could be made for China and Russia to support the resolution? Why do you think China and Russia can't put aside their opposition to the West to help Syria?
I think that if enough countries banded together, then yes they could take on Assad and Syria. Russia and China probably realize that they have enough problems of their own in their own countries, and don't want to get involved in anyone elses. Also, if Assad was pushed out of power, causing a more democratic system, then both of those countries would need to actually try harder to reach a better democracy.
ReplyDeleteThe simple answer is this: Russia and China always always always veto things in the Security Council. It is a pattern that has continued since before the cold war, and has only deepened as time wore on. There are very few things that get through the Security Council because of China and Russia.
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