Toothless Resolutions

A bit late, but the point remains valid, for all that.

President Barack Obama’s crack UN team was able to shepherd through the UN Security Council, under Russia’s tutelage, a resolution concerning Syria’s…obligation…to turn over its chemical weapons and production facilities for destruction [emphasis added]:

The draft resolution’s demands that Syria abandon its chemical stockpile and allow unfettered access to chemical weapons experts are legally binding.  But if Syria fails to comply, the council will need to adopt a second resolution to impose measures under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which allows for military and nonmilitary actions to promote peace and security.

Notice that.  The consequence that Russia has allowed for Syrian noncompliance is the passage of a second resolution.  Obama’s enforcement mechanism is “We’ll shake our finger very firmly at you.”

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