Russia's Security Council Diplomacy and the Middle East

Author(s): Mark Katz
Editor(s): Stephen Aris, Aglaya Snetkov, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 114
Pages: 5-7
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen; Institute of History, University of Basel
Publication Year: 2012

Moscow values Russia's permanent membership on the UN Security Council for the ability that the veto-power this status gives it to project influence, as well as to deny Security Council approval to actions sought by others - especially the United States. But as Russia's Security Council diplomacy with regard to Iran, Libya, and Syria has shown, the Security Council can be a highly problematic arena for Russia. Moscow cannot prevent the U.S. and its allies from acting without Security Council authorization. Yet even when Moscow does allow a resolution authorizing the use of force to pass, Russia cannot control how the U.S. and its allies implement it. Finally, blocking passage of a resolution can serve to undermine Russia's influence and prestige instead of enhancing them.

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