This article has been written by Ms. Krisha Rawal, a 2nd year student of NMIMS Kirit P. Mehta School of Law, Mumbai.

Abstract

This article delves into the challenges, constraints, and opportunities that the Security Council has encountered while addressing the Syrian issue. The article examines the issues by scrutinizing the Security Council’s own dynamics, especially the complexities of reaching unanimity amongst its permanent members having competing interests and agendas. It examines the ramifications of geopolitical rivalry and veto powers, which have frequently impeded decisive action, resulting in prolonged pain and humanitarian crises in Syria. Despite these problems, the UN Security Council has been faced with opportunity. The article describes how the Council’s initiatives have provided relief, fostered negotiations, and helped to diplomatic efforts to reduce the war’s impact on the civilian community. Furthermore, the article addresses the UN Security Council’s evolving role in adapting its policies and mechanisms to the intricacies of modern conflicts such as the Syrian crisis. It investigates the possibility of Council modifications that would improve its efficiency and responsiveness in dealing with such disagreements in the future.

Introduction

The Syrian war is a tragic example of the intricacies and problems that characterize current international relations. Being one of the most extensive and catastrophic conflicts of the twenty-first century, its prolonged existence and civilian toll have highlighted the effectiveness and constraints of international administration, notably the Security Council of the United Nations (UNSC). The United Nations Security Council, viewed as the foundation of world security and peace, has a primary responsibility of preserving global stability and settle crises. Yet, the Syrian crisis has highlighted the significant hurdles that this agency has in carrying out its duty efficiently. 

The Security Council’s engagement in the Syrian war is based on a delicate balance of geographical interests, ideological divisions, and varied strategic aims among its elected and non-permanent members. The Security Council’s five permanent members – the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom – each have veto power, which frequently leads to congestion and prevents quick and decisive action. The consequent standoff has prolonged the conflict, aggravating millions of Syrians’ suffering and leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Throughout its involvement in the Syrian war, the UN Security Council has faced continuous challenges in gaining agreement on credible and enforceable decisions. Conflicting goals and coalitions within its members have frequently impeded efforts to pursue coordinated initiatives to address the core causes of the conflict and find long-term solutions. Tensions between major powers have frequently resulted in the Council’s incapacity to reach an agreement on strong steps to end the violence and prepare the way for real peace talks. 

However, despite the gridlock and limits, the UN Security Council hasn’t been completely inactive. It has sent peacekeeping forces, allowed humanitarian relief delivery, and sought diplomatic interventions to promote dialogue between opposing parties. These efforts, while praiseworthy, have frequently been hampered by the Council’s overall disunity, reducing their effect on the ground and failing to materially alter the course of the conflict. As the Syrian crisis continues, this article delves into the complexities of the Security Council’s participation, investigating the difficulties it faces, the chances it has discovered, and the need for novel strategies for tackling the obstacles of modern disagreements within the scope of global governance.

The Syrian Conflict – Background

The Syrian crisis, which began in 2011, grew from a series of uprisings during the Arab Spring to a deadly civil war with several aspects engaging regional and international actors. Initial protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s administration and demands for democratic reforms were violently put down, which led to widespread unrest throughout the nation. As the conflict progressed, it became more fractured, attracting a wide range of people with disparate interests and ambitions. Opposition groups, who first advocated for democratic reforms, varied from secular groups to Islamist militia. Simultaneously, extremist organizations such as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) captured regions, complicating an already volatile situation. 

The Assad administration, aided by faithful troops and backed by allies including Syria Russia and Iran, fought to maintain control by using military tactics that resulted in severe civilian losses & displaced populations of millions. The battle has taken a devastating toll on people, including allegations of human rights violations such as the utilization of toxic weapons, indiscriminate airstrikes, and sieges, resulting in humanitarian emergencies within Syria. The intervention of external powers exacerbated the crisis. Regional dynamics drew in nations including as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, which supported diverse opposition groups, while the United States and its allies supported specific factions seeking Assad’s removal. This geopolitical entanglement worsened as conflicts between global powers erupted, impeding diplomatic initiatives and adding to the Security Council’s inability to develop coordinated tactics. 

The humanitarian repercussions have been grave, with millions domestically uprooted and many more seeking safeties in neighboring nations and beyond, culminating in one of the biggest worldwide refugee crises. The conflict’s protracted nature worsened the damage, damaging health care, infrastructure, and education, exacerbating the Syrian population’s socioeconomic problems. Several attempts at peace discussions, including the United Nations-facilitated Geneva talks, failed due to entrenched attitudes, the intricate nature of the war, and the lack of a united approach among major stakeholders. Despite periodic ceasefires and de-escalation initiatives, the conflict remained unresolved. The persistent nature of the Syrian crisis, as well as the complexity of its parties, have presented enormous hurdles for worldwide mediation and conflict resolution processes, underlining the global community’s limitations and complexities in dealing with such crises.

Challenges faced by UN Security Council

The intricate circumstances of the conflict itself, geopolitical rivalries, and differing interests among the permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) have presented the council with numerous obstacles as it attempts to resolve the Syrian crisis. One of the most difficult issues has been reaching an agreement among the Council’s permanent members, who are the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. These nations have veto power, which allows members to block any proposal they disagree. Consequently, differences among these major powers have frequently thwarted attempts to enact strong measures to tackle the Syrian tragedy. This impasse has impeded the Council’s capacity to take decisive steps, rendering it frozen and unable to give an adequate remedy to the crisis. 

The geopolitical dynamics of the conflict have severely impacted the Security Council’s effectiveness. Conflict resolution strategies differ due to Russia’s and China’s substantial support for the Assad regime. Although Russia has backed the Government of Syrian and its armed forces, other participants—especially Western countries—have demanded that Assad be removed from office. These opposing viewpoints have resulted in political disputes within the Council, hindering efforts to find consensus for resolution. Furthermore, the Council has failed to strike a balance between humanitarian and geopolitical goals. While resolutions have been passed to provide humanitarian help and ensure ceasefires to facilitate aid delivery, their practical implementation has frequently fallen short. The mechanics of the conflict are complicated, and continuing military actions have made it more difficult to provide help to needy civilians. The development of extremist groups, particularly ISIS, heightened the 

conflict’s complexity and urgency. While Council members shared a common purpose of combating terrorism, divergent strategies and priorities hampered collaborative efforts. 

The UN Security Council has always struggled to coordinate military strikes against extremist organizations while simultaneously addressing broader conflict dynamics. Attempts to bring offenders of war crimes and human rights violations accountable through organizations such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) were hampered by the Security Council’s political impasse. Members with veto power have obstructed attempts to send the Syrian crisis to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for inquiry into and prosecution of suspected crimes. Overall, the Syrian war has demonstrated the Security Council’s difficulties in effectively reacting to long-term situations in which significant nations’ interests intersect. The Council’s unwillingness to transcend geopolitical rivalries, identify consensus, and engage in decisive action has substantially hampered its capacity to alleviate Syrian suffering and provide an end to the conflict.

Role of UNSC in the Syrian Conflict

Despite the problems and gridlock it encounters, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has identified numerous opportunities in its participation with the Syrian conflict, including channels for humanitarian help, diplomatic initiatives, and viable paths to resolution. The Security Council’s endorsement of humanitarian aid delivery and the construction of humanitarian corridors have provided a noteworthy opportunity. Resolutions aimed at making it easier to send help to victims in encircled and hard-to-reach areas of Syria have saved the lives of millions. While logistical, bureaucratic, and security issues have hampered implementation, these projects have allowed critical help to get to some of the world’s most disadvantaged populations. 

Furthermore, the UNSC has approved peacekeeping missions and diplomatic initiatives to facilitate discussions between opposing parties. Despite the challenges and limited effectiveness of obtaining total peace conventions, these initiatives have created forums for negotiation and, on occasion, resulted in limited cease-fires and de-escalation zones. They represent vital chances to foster stakeholder confidence and lay the framework for larger peace processes. The Security Council’s decisions and diplomatic initiatives have also stressed the necessity of political discussion as well as inclusive negotiations as essential components of a long-term solution to the crisis. Resolutions supporting UN-mediated peace negotiations in Geneva along with other forums have emphasized the importance of an ideological transition in Syria, promoting engagement between the Assad regime and opposition organizations. 

While progress has been slow and often shaky, these attempts demonstrate the Council’s determination to find an ideological resolution to the crisis. Furthermore, the Council’s involvement in confronting the use of biological and chemical weaponry in Syria has provided a valuable opportunity to preserve international standards and humanitarian principles. Resolutions denouncing the possession and distribution of toxic weapons, establishing investigation processes, and holding criminals accountable have demonstrated the Council’s commitment to avoiding the spread and use of these prohibited weapons, but alongside limitations due to political concerns. The UNSC’s involvement in the Syrian war has sparked debate and demands for reformation within the Security Council itself. 

The gridlock and differences among its permanent members in dealing with the crisis have spurred debates on the necessity for structural adjustments, including as veto power and improving the Council’s responsiveness to humanitarian crises. Furthermore, despite the hurdles, the Council’s continued focus on the Syrian war has maintained it in the worldwide spotlight, organizing international assistance operations and drawing attention to the misery of Syrian citizens. It has functioned as an arena for generating awareness and rallying worldwide support to alleviate Syria’s humanitarian crisis.

Conclusion

As the Syrian conflict continues, the United Nations United Nations Security Council (UNSC) faces problems and opportunities that are inextricably linked to the crisis’s developing dynamics. Currently, the conflict is taking a heavy toll upon Syria and its citizens, approaching the second decade of its existence with no end in sight. Geographical rivalries and conflicting interests among the permanent members of the UNSC continue to impede the body’s ability to take coordinated and decisive action in addressing the Syrian conflict. The Council’s standoff endures, reflecting the greater complications of global power relations and the difficulties of reaching an agreement in the face of competing agendas. The humanitarian crisis in Syria remains grave. Despite the Council’s approval of humanitarian aid delivery and efforts to build relief corridors, plenty of civilians continue to confront significant barriers to accessing basic necessities. Humanitarian organizations work under difficult conditions, dealing with security dangers, logistical challenges, and limited resources, which limit their capacity to serve everyone in need. Courteous efforts and talks about peace facilitated by the United Nations Security Council continue, albeit with minimal success. Efforts to encourage communication between opposing groups and underscore the importance of a political resolution continue.

 However, attaining real breakthroughs remains difficult due to ongoing differences and the diverse variety of individuals participating in the conflict. As evidence of the continuous difficulties in maintaining humanitarian standards and guaranteeing accountability, Syria continues to deploy chemical weapons and commit other transgressions of international law. Despite efforts to bring criminals accountable, challenges remain in establishing procedures for justice and transparency, rendering many perpetrators of war crimes unpunished. In the current situation, the Syrian crisis serves as a sobering reminder of the international community’s limitations, particularly the UN Security Council’s ability to successfully resolve long-term emergencies where geopolitical interests converge. The Council’s methods and institutions are under review as a demand for reforms, including conversations about the right of veto and the Council’s response to humanitarian emergencies, remains a topic of debate. Despite the ongoing problems, possibilities for improvement exist in the Council’s initiatives. Continued campaigning for humanitarian aid, ongoing political campaigns, and efforts to encourage inclusive conversation among stakeholders all provide opportunities for gradual development. As the UN Security Council navigates the complexity of the Syrian war, capitalizing on opportunities while tackling problems will be critical. The current situation emphasizes the importance of ongoing multilateral efforts, innovative methods, and a renewed dedication to finding a long-term solution that would alleviate the Syrian people’s suffering and bring an end to this horrific conflict. 

References

1. This article was anonymously written & published on the website of the UN Press. The link for the same is herein. https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15393.doc.htm. 
2. This article was originally written by Dr. Simons Adams and published on the website of Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect. The link for the same is herein. https://www.globalr2p.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/syriapaper_final.pdf. 
3. This article was anonymously written & published on the website of Relief Web. The link for the same is herein. https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/12-years-challenges-caused-syrian-conflict-show-no-signs-abating. 
4. This article was originally written by Okon Eminue Monday Dickson and published on the website of IISTE. The link for the same is herein. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234670498.pdf. 
5. This article was originally written by F. Guimaraes and published on the website of Research Gate. The link for the same is herein. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324221616. 
6. This article was originally written by Hasmik Egian  and  Mouin Rabbani and published on the website of Pass Blue. The link for the same is herein. https://www.passblue.com/2023/09/05/a-serious-review-of-the-uns-conflict-mediation-role-in-syria-is-long-overdue/. 
7. This article was originally written by Zachary Laub and published on the website of Council on Foreign Relations. The link for the same is herein. https://www.cfr.org/article/syrias-civil-war. 
8. This article was originally written by Saira Mohamed and published on the website of American Society of Law. The link for the same is herein. https://www.asil.org/insights/volume/16/issue/11/un-security-council-and-crisis-syria. 
9. This article was originally written by Ako Muto and published on the website of Springer. The link for the same is herein. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-18219-8_7. 
10. This article was anonymously written & published on the website of the UNICEF. The link for the same is herein. https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/syrian-crisis.