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The United Nations in the Syrian Civil War: A Critical Assessment
Introduction
The Syrian civil war has lasted more than a decade and caused great suffering, killing hundreds
of thousands and displacing millions. The conflict tested the limits of international diplomacy
and the United Nations' ability to prevent violence and promote peace. In this article, we will
examine the role of the United Nations in the Syrian war and examine the strengths and
weaknesses of its efforts to resolve the crisis.
Traditional history
The Syrian war, which occurred in 2011, began as a peaceful uprising against the dictatorship of
President Bashar al-Assad. However, the government's crackdown on protesters turned the
situation into an all-out war. The conflict quickly evolved into a complex web of political,
religious and regional interests involving various rebel groups, jihadist groups, actors, the
international community and the Syrian government.
UN response: Mixed records
The United Nations responded quickly to the Syrian crisis and the Security Council played a key
role in problem-solving efforts. The first mission, the United Nations Monitoring Mission in
Syria (UNSMIS), was established in April 2012 to monitor the ongoing conflict. The mission
was suspended in August 2012 due to increasing violence.
The failure to build peace in the early stages is a sounding board for the problems the United
Nations has faced throughout the crisis. While the United Nations has pushed for negotiations
and made unsuccessful attempts, the Syrian government, rebel groups and their external backers
have continued to fight, making clear gains.
Security Council Impasse
One of the main problems deep within the UN Security Council is disrupting the UN's operation
in Syria. Russia and China, key allies of the Assad regime, have repeatedly vetoed resolutions
that would impose sanctions on the Syrian government or authorize the use of force. This
situation brought the United Nations into conflict and rendered it unable to use its resolutions.
The Security Council's failure to act shows a flaw in the structure of the United Nations, as the
veto power of the five permanent members can cripple the office in situations where they like to