Stuck again? Does the ‘New Cold War’ Impact the Functioning of the UN Security Council?
Journal
HESTIA Review vol.2
Date Issued
2024-01
Author(s)
Stojkovski, Ljupcho
Abstract
The “new Cold War”, which we are now allegedly living through, is not an exact term in
international relations. Some observers use it to refer to the renewed tension and animosity
between the USA and Russia. Others talk of the looming Cold War-like rivalry between the USA
and China, while for many, the concept encompasses the relations between all three major
powers. Regardless of these differences of opinion, what is certain is that all three countries are
permanent members of the UN Security Council (P3), and if we are indeed living through a second
Cold War, this could affect the functioning of the Council as well, which is the international
community’s authority for peace and security. During the ‘first’ Cold War, the Security Council was
generally dormant and/or blocked by the vetoes of the permanent members, so it is worth
investigating whether a similar passiveness and/or ineffectiveness could be expected during the
new Cold War. In this paper, it will be argued that while there has been an increased use of vetoes
by Russia and China in recent years, a complete paralysis of the Council, like in the past, is not
to be expected. Due to the different socio-economic and normative context in which the new Cold
War is occurring and in which the Security Council operates, as well as the shared and individual
interests that the P3 have in keeping the Council operative, this institution will continue to be
functional for most situations that it deals with.
international relations. Some observers use it to refer to the renewed tension and animosity
between the USA and Russia. Others talk of the looming Cold War-like rivalry between the USA
and China, while for many, the concept encompasses the relations between all three major
powers. Regardless of these differences of opinion, what is certain is that all three countries are
permanent members of the UN Security Council (P3), and if we are indeed living through a second
Cold War, this could affect the functioning of the Council as well, which is the international
community’s authority for peace and security. During the ‘first’ Cold War, the Security Council was
generally dormant and/or blocked by the vetoes of the permanent members, so it is worth
investigating whether a similar passiveness and/or ineffectiveness could be expected during the
new Cold War. In this paper, it will be argued that while there has been an increased use of vetoes
by Russia and China in recent years, a complete paralysis of the Council, like in the past, is not
to be expected. Due to the different socio-economic and normative context in which the new Cold
War is occurring and in which the Security Council operates, as well as the shared and individual
interests that the P3 have in keeping the Council operative, this institution will continue to be
functional for most situations that it deals with.
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