General Discussion

DontTreadOnMe

(2,442 posts)

13. Do you understand the "veto" in the UN?

Tue Sep 3, 2013, 11:06 AM

Sep 2013

The veto power of the permanent members has been widely criticized. The heavy use of the veto by the Soviet Union and the United States have gone a long way to discrediting the veto system.

For the record:

THE VETO RECORD

USSR/Russia: 120 vetoes. Only two vetoes since the collapse of the Soviet Union
US: 77 vetoes. Blocked 36 resolutions criticizing Israel.
UK: 32 vetoes, 23 times with the US. All solo UK vetoes on Zimbabwe
France: 18 vetoes, 13 with the US and UK
China: 5 vetoes

More recently, the US has used its veto regularly to shield the Israeli Government from international criticism or attempts to restrain the behavior of its military.

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Noah Chomsky: US attack on Syria without UN approval would be a war crime [View all] David Krout Sep 2013 OP

As I have been saying since the war drums started banging. morningfog Sep 2013 #1

Would he support it if it came with U.N. Approval? nt el_bryanto Sep 2013 #2

No. He would then find some other reason... SidDithers Sep 2013 #4

but that isn't necessary, is it...? mike_c Sep 2013 #7

Americans also don't know it's a crime to even THREATEN another country with a war. Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2013 #20

The exception being discussed is if the UN Sec Council authorizes it. Then it's not a war crime. stevenleser Sep 2013 #36

that is what the UN Charter says.... mike_c Sep 2013 #37

More to the point, Syria will be entirely within her rights to HardTimes99 Sep 2013 #54

And he would most likely be right. n/t Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #17

Nah, Chomsky said if Libya asked for help, we should. joshcryer Sep 2013 #47

"some other reason." LWolf Sep 2013 #56

Indeed. CanSocDem Sep 2013 #60

Whether or not you support a war is a different question than it's legality. morningfog Sep 2013 #57

Thank you, Noam Chomsky. woo me with science Sep 2013 #3

Chomsky believes every U.S. President is a "war criminal" ProSense Sep 2013 #5

The more interesting statement is that even Chomsky potentially sees the need for something BeyondGeography Sep 2013 #6

That actually leapt off the screen. Is Chomsky going Cha Sep 2013 #43

Based upon his belief that "the credibility of government claims" has "collapsed" bhikkhu Sep 2013 #8

'"Its no longer in question" is the general consensus internationally.' ocpagu Sep 2013 #48

I suppose it looks like whatever one reads says it looks like bhikkhu Sep 2013 #52

I am a big fan of Chomsky, BUT he seems to be blinded by his statment DontTreadOnMe Sep 2013 #9

"What is "United Nations support"... like that is some final moral high ground." Precisely Sep 2013 #10

Do you understand the "veto" in the UN? DontTreadOnMe Sep 2013 #13

At this point Precisely Sep 2013 #15

The Russians vetoed already on sanctions for Syria last year... DontTreadOnMe Sep 2013 #16

Last year. Sanctions. What Obama's doing goes against recent history. Precisely Sep 2013 #21

You keep changing the topic.. so responding to you has become meaningless. DontTreadOnMe Sep 2013 #29

Did not Precisely Sep 2013 #33

Noah???? Will he be launching an Arc???? - nt HardTimes99 Sep 2013 #11

Was assad using chemical weapons a war crime? The Straight Story Sep 2013 #12

Why should we care about what Obama thinks about punishing war crimes elsewhere MNBrewer Sep 2013 #14

^^^This^^^ Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #19

oops. SammyWinstonJack Sep 2013 #42

He didn't use chemical weapons the al qaeda rebels did blazeKing Sep 2013 #25

Totally agree lark Sep 2013 #28

^This JRLeft Sep 2013 #30

If the rebels were the ones who used chemical weapons would it be a war crime? nt David Krout Sep 2013 #34

Are you seriously advocating that the US become a rogue nation? last1standing Sep 2013 #51

"why should Obama care what the UN thinks"... awoke_in_2003 Sep 2013 #53

Sigh...the point is (in case you missed it) The Straight Story Sep 2013 #55

I remember bush saying the same stuff. Cowboy diplomacy. morningfog Sep 2013 #58

He must be a libertarian Puzzledtraveller Sep 2013 #18

And what Syria did is STILL a war crime.. iamthebandfanman Sep 2013 #22

"The UN needs to be scraped and a new organization established." oldhippie Sep 2013 #39

He's already committed multiple war crimes with drone strikes. JRLeft Sep 2013 #23

We need to seek UN approval for this. reformist2 Sep 2013 #24

Not happening...China and Russia have made that clear Supersedeas Sep 2013 #26

Did we have a vote? Did we even try? reformist2 Sep 2013 #35

Knowing the outcome ahead of time, why would they? Supersedeas Sep 2013 #41

Not on this issue, but there were many UN votes that didn't pass: joshcryer Sep 2013 #49

Then we don't do it. Period. morningfog Sep 2013 #59

Hell, what one more? There are no repercussions for BIG crimes anyway. Rich must get richer. nt valerief Sep 2013 #27

So many interests in this military strike, defense contractors, fossil fuel industry, AIPAC, and JRLeft Sep 2013 #31

Why is it so hard for people to realize that there is nothing that makes the US supreme? Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2013 #32

kick woo me with science Sep 2013 #38

Luckily polls indicate some 60% are against a pre-emptive war of aggression, something indepat Sep 2013 #40

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2013 #44

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Warren DeMontague Sep 2013 #46

The really scary thing is.... SidDithers Sep 2013 #50

Well he's been right all along upi402 Sep 2013 #45

kick woo me with science Sep 2013 #61