Russia Says Air Strikes In Syria Would Be Act Of Aggression Without U.N. Vote

[The Magistrate]

78. Try Article 51, Sir

'Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security. '

Note that the right of self defense is inherent, is not impaired by the Charter, and tha nations may act until the Security Council takes measures. Since the Security Council generally does not take measures, and certainly will not in this instance, owing to veto power of a participating state, the right to act continues indefinitely....