Why have the efforts of the international community to intervene in Syria to protect civilians failed?
The case of Syria has brought to limelight the depth of political and ideological differences among the securit6y council member states. The member states have challenges in the implementation of the third pillar of R2P. Due to the shift in the regime, in the aspect of considering the forced regime change as a foreign intervention. One party consisting of China and Russia are against foreign interference in regime change. This brings the two powers into sharp conflict with the west, who are against the rule of Assad and would want him removed from the leadership position of Syria as an effective method of implementing R2P in Syria. Russia’s Geopolitical interest is also of crucial concern, and these interests impact their voting in the security council. Russia frequently points at the US inversion of Libya as well as the events in Iran, and they justify the possible use of veto power in Syria, which contradicts the rules and regulations of the security council. The above is a scapegoat used by Russia to put forward its political, economic, and military interests in the area with promised collaboration with president Assad. Russia voted to block the joint investigative mechanism, which was aimed at the investigation of the use of chemical weapons. This ideological difference makes the process of intervention difficult in Syria.
Chinas delicate balance in the entire plan is also of significant concern, and it has remained an open critic of the operations of NATO in Libya, thereby opposing foreign involvement in the regime change. Chinas position on Syria is unclear than Russia though its opposition to the interference on the evolution of regime is clear. Chinas growth in the economy has enabled it to earn respect and loyalty from most of the nations and thereby command huge numbers on its stand against interference on the change of regime.
China Vetoed the security council relations and, in the process, it has revoked all the resolutions made by the council, thereby invoking the third Pillar of the R2P, including the nonmilitary actions like sanctions. Russia’s vocal opposition of the western countries is of Benefit to China and thereby enjoying the mutual understanding of the Syrian issues. Generally, China has dramatically opposed the foreign interference of the other nations allowing china to maintain the delicate balance in international affairs.
The concept that the authorization of the third pillar of R2P lies with the security council makes the process challenging to implement. Suggestions pushed by the member states are also difficult to pass because there are states that still value their political and socio-economic interests in Syria.