Why the UN Could Not Stop the War in Syria?

Why the UN Could Not Stop the War in Syria?

The Syrian crisis is one of the clearest examples that shows how fragile the international system really is. The protests that started in 2011 during the Arab Spring quickly turned into a serious conflict in Syria. The Assad government reacted very harshly to the demonstrations, and this made the situation worse. In a short time, millions of people had to leave their homes, many cities were destroyed, and a major humanitarian tragedy appeared. It is clear that the international community had great difficulty taking responsibility during this period.

The most discussed institution during the crisis was the United Nations. The UN, especially the Security Council, could not take effective action. The main reason for this was the veto system. The United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France could not agree on a common position about Syria. Russia and China used their vetoes many times. These vetoes blocked ceasefire attempts, humanitarian aid corridors, and stronger actions against chemical attacks. Because of this, the difference between the UN’s aims and the political realities on the ground became very clear.

However, this situation is not only about the structure of the UN. What happened in Syria is also a major human tragedy. Civilians trapped in besieged areas, chemical attacks, and large refugee waves show how weak the international system becomes when human values are at risk.

For us, as international relations students, the Syrian crisis is more than a political example. It is a warning about what kind of international system we should avoid in the future. The competition between great powers, the problems of the veto system, and the limits of humanitarian intervention can all be seen clearly in the Syrian case. This is why the crisis makes us think both academically and morally.

The Syrian crisis shows the limits of the international system, the UN’s need for reform, and how power politics affects the lives of ordinary people. It should not be seen only as a conflict of the past, but as an issue that the international community still needs to face.

References:

https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/388976