Should the Arab states enforce Resolution 181 and 273?rEvolutionist wrote:The UN is the only suitable venue to work these things out and the US (and allies) have made a mockery of the UN with it's refusal to enforce sanctions on Israel.Ian wrote:I know. But I have no obligation to respect such a simplistic and naïve viewpoint. I do acknowledge that it is widespread though.
A thought: a persistent pattern of the US becoming militarily involved in crisis zones reflects an equally persistent pattern of many other countries NOT becoming involved in crisis zones, even when they should.
But, if you wouldn't mind -- which sanctions are you referring to that the US (and allies) are "refusing to enforce?" Is there, perhaps, any broader context?
You think Russia and China's lack of respect for the UN is as a result of US actions? You think that Putin and Xi (and their predecessors) were sitting around going "we'd comply 100% with the wishes of the UN, if it wasn't for the US being such jerk McJerkins?"rEvolutionist wrote:
Why the fuck would Russia or China approach the UNSC honestly when the US shows no respect to the institution.
It's not broken. It's simply what naturally happens when you create an organization of jealously sovereign member states who each claim the right to opt in or out of any obligation they want, and that non-concsensual obligations are enforced through projection of power and only when it is in the interest of member states to do so.rEvolutionist wrote: It's not broken because of some "the whole is greater than the parts" bollocks. It's broken because its member states treat it with no respect.
The UN is a work in process. It is not a super-Parliament, that makes laws and votes on binding legislation for member states. It operates under the regime of international law, which is much different than domestic law which most folks are familiar with. Most people don't understand that almost all international law is based on consent, and not majority vote.
News flash -- the Australians and other countries don't care about foreigners outside their own interests either. Other countries are not "better" than the US, China and Russia. They aren't comprised of robed philosophers, making decisions in the best interest of humanity as a whole, to heck with their own self interest. They're humans too and they aren't any different. It's the way humans behave. Of course the US acts in its own interest. All countries do that.rEvolutionist wrote:
You seem to have drunk too much of the "exporting democracy" cool-aid. The US, China, Russia etc don't care about foreigners outside of their own interests. The problem for the US is that people see through all the bullshit spin. And all you can say in response to that is "oh please".
