In a 115-15 vote with a large number of abstentions, the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee voted today in favor of a Saudi Arabian resolution condemning Iran for its involvement in the Syrian Civil War, insisting that its involvement was “unhelpful” and “unwarranted.”
The resolution didn’t explicitly name Russia, but also criticized Iran and other Assad allies for attacks on “moderate” rebels, accusing them of benefiting ISIS and al-Qaeda’s Nusra Front. The language is assumed to be aimed at Russia despite not mentioning them directly.
The resolution is non-binding and won’t have any impact on the ongoing civil war in Syria, but reflects the Saudi government’s ongoing efforts to prop up “moderate” Islamists as an alternative to the existing Syrian government, which is dominated by Alawites.
In addition to being yet another UN rubber-stamp for a Saudi position, it also doesn’t auger well for ongoing efforts to negotiate a settlement of the Syrian Civil War at Vienna, as the Saudi government is involved in those talks, along with Russia and Iran, and seems to be going out of their way here to antagonize them on the Syria issue, despite the US predicting an imminent breakthrough.
The Saudis – the nerve of these Wahabi despots who have spread this cancer of extremism, and they are the one criticizing Iran? If not for Iran or its allies, the Saudi hordes (ISIS) would have taken over Iraq and Syria completely.
Oh, sure but SA, Qatar, Kuwait, Israel, and US meddling is Syria is praiseworthy and not deserving of condemnation? The UN is a joke.
Meaningless posturing. The Russians and Iranians are the only countries legally in Syria. The Saudis are the biggest sponsors of terrorism in the neighbourhood.
"….The resolution didn’t explicitly name Russia, but also criticized Iran and other Assad allies for attacks on “moderate” rebels, …"
since when do "moderates" take up arms against an elected government?
what sort of "moderates" practice ethnic cleansing and decapitations?
ah, i see, saudi (and/or the only middle-east "democracy") style "moderates."
This being sponsored by the Saudi Scum, the biggest exporter of terrorism in the Mid East besides Israel.
The Bric nation needs to think about setting up a parallel UN. Because this UN is no longer an effective body.
U forgot USA Bigger than biggest
"… no longer an effective body."
Just like the US Congress.
Good to see the influence of such democratic beacons as Saudi Arabia. Iran happens to be a close ally of Syria-who cares?
The power of oily money.
What Senator Mark Hanna said in 1895 about politics applies to the U.N. and geopolitics today:
"There are two things that are important in politics. The first is money and I can't remember what the second one is."
Well, what is new. If this is not an recruitment call for ISIS and other "moderate" head-chopper, I do not know what it is! The world body is raising on the pedestal of human rights and international law a country that is the epicenter of the Islamic cult, Wahhabism, that is spreading like virus the fundamentalism under all sorts of names, key identifying factor is that they are "Salafi", or the true believers. Obama goes out and urges pretty much the same, by insisting that Assad must go before ISIS can be defeated. Good work, Mr. President, you are inviting all those deluded youth all over the world to join groups to defeat Assad.
Let us hope that if ever some armed groups and gangs start a shooting war in US, that we will have a President that will support the army, as the armed forces will be the only thing that will divide us from anarchy and the rule of the fanatics and criminals. The way Obama and the rest of the West are condemning the right of Syrian people to defend themselves is sickening. And God bless any country that is willing to help them in the face of the collective Western insanity.
I agree that we need new UN. Up until now, Sanghai Cooperation Organization has impressed me by their Charter and governing principles. It took them fifeeen years to get to this point, but it was necessary to work out new international order, and practice it within a small — but very diversified club. When China, Russia and Kazakhstan came together, and with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kirgizstan formed SCO, it was a good test. Because of the enormous diversity, and competing interests, not to mention concerted effort on the part of the West to divide them, to cause strife and wars — they succeeded. This year, the organization suddenly expanded its permanent, full-voting membership by adding India and Pakistan. This was significant, as he future of de-conflicting the India-Pakistani relations will reside within that organization, not Western powers. Similarly, when Turkey became a member few years ago — albeit on the lowest level — it became clear that from then on it will coordinate and consult with SCO on all security issues. This year, two critical states in the
Caucasus joined, Armenia and Azerbaijan. And to bridge over China-India relations, Nepal joined as well. The organization is moving into Indochina, by accepting this year Cambodia. It is clear that with Laos already in Chinese orbit, adding Cambodia expands the area of interest Seeing the kinds of battles being fought over Thailand and Myanmar, I would not be surprised movement on that front as well.
I am pleased that the organization took its time to test in practice its model of international relations, and time before expanding voting membership. But the role of observers and partners is significant as well Sooner or later, Afghanistan that is a observer, will get the help it needs to stabilize. The key is always the elite. Once the informal leadership of any country comes to a decision to commit themselves to this new path — the help will come. Example is Iran. Without SCO, it would have never succeeded to overcome the overwhelming pressure from the West, and would have succumbed economically or politically. From Belarus to Mongolia, and Sri Lanka, the organization is focusing on Eurasian space, making it first solid politically, and building economic future via Silk Road or EEU that now allows container traffic to start from China, and upon entering EEU (Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus), exits at Poland into EU, and travels today to Duisburg, the largest European land port for transiting rail containers to all European countries. Pieces of infrastructure are already funded, all looking random — but with a clear sense of future integration. Banks, funds, institutes, etc. are being funded. Already, Egypt applied for membership, and so did Syria. It will take time, but as BRICKS are helping integrative processes on their continents, the evolution may bring about a more representative regional groups, within a more diverse global setting. The serious problem today within UN Is the influence peddling — the end result being voting machinery, with small countries being nothing more but vote peddlers. As there are no regional groupings to reflect their economic or cultural needs — most counties are adrift in organization that is being run by SC with NATO majority.
"Let us hope that if ever some armed groups and gangs start a shooting war in US, that we will have a President that will support the army, as the armed forces will be the only thing that will divide us from anarchy and the rule of the fanatics and criminals."
The state (every state) IS "armed groups and gangs" and "the rule of the fanatics and criminals."