Syrian Civil War and the UN Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Syrian Civil War and the UN - Term Paper Example Syria is being used as a background for 2 proxy wars. One is between Russia-China and the US. Russia is trying to regain its lost influence in the Mediterranean. Russia also has a number of economic interests in Syria which includes arms sale and infrastructure projects. Libya is a real thorn for Russia and China-they believe that they were tricked in supporting a UN resolution which was then used as a cover for airstrikes against Gaddafi. Due to this mistrust; Russia and China started off by blocking a resolution which asked Assad to hand over power to his deputy. In October 2011 they vetoed another resolution condemning Assad. In February 2012, Russia and China blocked another draft security council resolution and agreed to the Kofi Anan sponsored non-binding peace plan only when the tougher draft is modified. Thus the UN Security Council has been effectively unable to function due to this proxy war. In the absence of Security Council resolution, a UN General Assembly resolution is passed in August 2012 condemning Assad and asking him to resign. (Saad) The second proxy war is against Iran. It is intriguing that the US lifted the ban on military aid to Uzbekistan dictator and turned a blind eye to crushing of popular demonstrations by Bahrain at the same time it wanted Assad to resign. The US is so deeply interested in Syria because of Iran; not because it is a champion of freedom and democracy. Israel and the USA would like nothing better than changing the regime in Iran. However, that seems far-fetched now; so they are contended with breaking the Tehran-Damascus axis. (Tehri) The proxy wars are being fuelled further by the bogey of chemical weapons being raised in the western media these days. It sounds familiar; doesn’t it? First, the media will shout over the top that Assad like Saddam is about to launch weapons of mass destruction any day now. (Hart) Then a concerned President will warn Basher Al Assad of severe consequences.