The Problem of Peace

Abstract

As the year 2019 gets underway, the UN Security Council retains on its agenda a number of deeply divisive issues which the Council’s established modalities have proved inadequate to resolve. In particular, the complex questions of Syria, Yemen, Israel-Palestine, Iran’s nuclear programme, Ukraine, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to polarize Council members. In its most visible form, this polarization has been evidenced by the number of resolutions put to a vote and not adopted, either owing to vetoes or insufficient
support, and by an increase in competing drafts. Such unsettled conditions within the Security Council have created new constraints, but also new opportunities. Council members individually, and in cooperation with other like-minded States, have been exploring new approaches for achieving substantive progress, however incremental. In parallel, the elected Security Council members have been increasing their coordination with a view to establishing more equal power-sharing within the Council. For those observers interested in deepening their understanding of today’s Security Council, it is worthwhile to review these recent initiatives and reflect upon their present and future impact.