United Nations Security Council Flashcards
Who are the five permanent members of the UNSC?
China USA UK France Russia
What are the three main powers of the UNSC?
Issue binding resolutions in international law
Issue economic sanctions
Authorise military action
What is needed to pass a resolution in the UNSC?
No veto from a permanent member and a 2/3s majority from non-permanent members
Veto in 2016-2019
Russia surrounding Middle East
2009 Veto
USA in response to 9/11 attacks
Why was the UNSC criticised in Syria?
As they did not step in militarily and Russia was prepared to veto resolutions
What did the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon call the war?
systematic torture because of a failure of leadership
How many people died in the Syrian War?
300,000
When did war in Syria begin?
2011
Strengths of the UNSC
Can settle disputes peacefully
Authorised military action effectively
Allowing states to have a veto allows for the membership to remain current and strong
Weaknesses of the UNSC
Powerless in making decisions
Too much power to permanent members
UNSC composition is highly unrepresentative and outdated
Does not have a military force of its own
Rand Co-operation Study 2007
8 UNSC peace-keeping missions
7 successful
6 promoted democracy
1990 IRAQ
Established safe havens in 1991
