Dimensions of US Failure in UNSC and Leading Scenarios

2020/08/25 | interview, political, top news

Strategic Council Online - An international affairs analyst called the US failure to get the UN Security Council adopt an anti-Iran resolution one of the most obvious signs of the Trump administration's political isolation in the international community. He considered this US move at the Security Council a tactical measure to open the way to resort to the "trigger mechanism".

In an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, Kourosh Ahmadi said: “Undoubtedly, lack of support from 13 out of the 15 member of the Security Council for the US draft resolution to extend the arms sanctions against Iran was one of the most obvious signs of the Trump administration’s political isolation in the international community and showed the disparity of the vast majority of countries, even America’s traditional allies, with Washington at this time.

He said the vote made it clear that, with the exception of a few in the Middle East, no country would support the Trump-Pompeo team’s extremist policies on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and Iran, adding that despite the situation that the JCPOA is struggling with, the agreement has a solid foundation and still has its own popularity in the international community and can survive under different conditions.

US Resolution Bid Was a Tactical Move

The international affairs analyst said that the US action in presenting this draft resolution to extend the arms embargo against Iran could be considered a tactical move aimed at opening the way to resort to the “trigger mechanism”. However, it must be borne in mind that the United States is taking a big risk in this way, and it is not clear what will be the outcome of its action to reinstate previous UN resolutions against Iran.

Referring to the statements of British officials after UK’s vote of abstention to the US resolution against Iran, Ahmadi in analyzing the action of European countries in not cooperating with the US added: “The main focus of the policy of the three European countries and most other EU members in this regard is to maintain the JCPOA. Given Europe’s proximity to the Middle East, they want to avoid as much as possible another military and crisis confrontation in the region, and they believe that maintaining the JCPOA can be one of the most important foundations for maintaining stability in the region.”

Europe’s Efforts to Maintain JCPOA

He continued: “They are aware that the extension of arms sanctions against Iran as stipulated in the failed US draft could also kill Iran’s last motives to stay in the JCPOA. Because the extension of arms embargoes could be a prelude to the extension of sanctions on missiles and nuclear items in the next three to five years. As a result, they try to prevent Iran from losing all its incentives by maintaining some of JCPOA’s economic advantages for Tehran at least in this sphere,”

“All of these actions and assessments by European leaders have been in the context of almost four years of conflict between traditional European democracies and the populist Trump administration, and undoubtedly this platform has been very effective in the formation of this distinction.

Europe’s Emphasis on Coalition Building & Multilateralism

He stressed: “In this regard, the belief of European governments, unlike the Trump administration, in coalition building and multilateralism is also important. For the past four years, however, the Trump administration has taken a completely one-sided approach to international affairs, and unlike the Obama administration, it has not believed in the need to work with allies and build coalitions. All these factors have been effective in shaping the current situation.

Regarding the US officials’ statement that they were trying to activate the trigger mechanism after Washington’s defeat at the UN Security Council, Ahmadi said: “The most important argument for rejecting possible US action by referring to Paragraphs 11 and 12 of Resolution 2231 or the ‘trigger mechanism’ is what that has been said over and over again: That is to say: “Considering that the United States has formally and explicitly withdrawn from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action it cannot take action to activate this mechanism.

US in Pursuit of Activating Trigger Mechanism

 

 

He continued: “Unfortunately, the problem is that the same permanent members of the Security Council in 2015 agreed with the wording of these two clauses of the resolution, and the two clauses are such that they are deprived of voting and using the veto in relation to revoking previous resolutions. These clauses stipulate that if a member claims that another member has not complied with the JCPOA, a process will be initiated and will automatically lead to the reinstatement of previous resolutions within 30 days without the need for action or a meeting.

According to Ahmadi the only obstacle that needs to be addressed is that the United States can no longer take action because it is not a member of the JCPOA anymore. Other members of the Council may, in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Article 27 of the Charter, submit a procedural resolution in which it is not possible to use the veto right, but the United States may not accept the procedural aspect of such a resolution and may insist on the veto right.

The international affairs expert explained: “Voting on whether this resolution is procedural or not may face the same problem again. Eventually, it may lead to the reinstatement of previous resolutions through the automatic process set out in Paragraphs 11 and 12, but a number of countries may state that they do not consider themselves committed to these resolutions because they do not consider the United States entitled to begin the process. Of course, such a situation could have serious consequences for the credibility and future of the Security Council.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST CONTENT

A New Chapter Awaits Tehran-Riyadh Relations

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The visit of Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to Iran, the presentation of the message of the Saudi King to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, and the meeting with high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in addition to playing an effective role in strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations, can be effective in providing the necessary platforms and conditions for advancing collective cooperation in the region.

New Regional Order and the Requirement of Pathology of Iran’s Strategy

Strategic Council Online – Guest Note: After the developments in Syria and the challenges that the Axis of Resistance has faced, policymakers and analysts have decided to present a new representation of the Middle East regional order and consider new dimensions in their decision-making. The change and new combination of cooperation and alliances indicate an understanding of changes in the regional order. As a result, we are witnessing a change in strategies, which also requires changing their type of action and approach.

Tariff War and Escalation of Tension in China-US Relations

Strategic Council Online – Interview: The Secretary-General of the Iran-China Strategic Studies Institute believes that following the tariff war between China and the US, relations between Washington and Beijing face a turbulent outlook during the Trump era.

Consequences of the Trump Administration’s Trade War

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The consequences of Trump’s trade war, which is unprecedented and new and has apparently been implemented to ” support domestic production” in the United States and “balance global trade,” are gradually becoming apparent.

Analysis: Egypt’s Approach to the Gaza Crisis

Strategic Council Online Opinion: Egypt’s foreign policy towards West Asia, especially in matters related to Gaza, is influenced by complex strategic factors that include national security, relations with global powers, and the country’s role in regional developments.

Analysis of the China-US Tariff War

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: China expects the “Made in China 2025” strategy to be completed and realized this year. On the other hand, the United States sees its supposed hegemony in danger and is trying to maintain its position.
In this situation and as one of the means of confrontation, the trade war has intensified again, as was the experience of the 2016-2020 period, and in the most recent action, China and the United States have increased tariffs on each other’s agricultural products; China by 15 percent and the United States by 20 percent. Will this ping-pong lead to a trade agreement, or will the trade war intensify?

Prospects for US Attacks on Ansar Allah

strategic Council Online – Opinion: After more than three weeks of military aggression and unprecedented and widespread bombing of various cities in Yemen, the US government has not yet gained significant and strategic achievements in line with its declared goals.

Loading

Últimas publicaciones

A New Chapter Awaits Tehran-Riyadh Relations

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The visit of Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to Iran, the presentation of the message of the Saudi King to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, and the meeting with high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in addition to playing an effective role in strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations, can be effective in providing the necessary platforms and conditions for advancing collective cooperation in the region.

New Regional Order and the Requirement of Pathology of Iran’s Strategy

Strategic Council Online – Guest Note: After the developments in Syria and the challenges that the Axis of Resistance has faced, policymakers and analysts have decided to present a new representation of the Middle East regional order and consider new dimensions in their decision-making. The change and new combination of cooperation and alliances indicate an understanding of changes in the regional order. As a result, we are witnessing a change in strategies, which also requires changing their type of action and approach.

Tariff War and Escalation of Tension in China-US Relations

Strategic Council Online – Interview: The Secretary-General of the Iran-China Strategic Studies Institute believes that following the tariff war between China and the US, relations between Washington and Beijing face a turbulent outlook during the Trump era.

Consequences of the Trump Administration’s Trade War

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: The consequences of Trump’s trade war, which is unprecedented and new and has apparently been implemented to ” support domestic production” in the United States and “balance global trade,” are gradually becoming apparent.

Analysis: Egypt’s Approach to the Gaza Crisis

Strategic Council Online Opinion: Egypt’s foreign policy towards West Asia, especially in matters related to Gaza, is influenced by complex strategic factors that include national security, relations with global powers, and the country’s role in regional developments.

Analysis of the China-US Tariff War

Strategic Council Online – Opinion: China expects the “Made in China 2025” strategy to be completed and realized this year. On the other hand, the United States sees its supposed hegemony in danger and is trying to maintain its position.
In this situation and as one of the means of confrontation, the trade war has intensified again, as was the experience of the 2016-2020 period, and in the most recent action, China and the United States have increased tariffs on each other’s agricultural products; China by 15 percent and the United States by 20 percent. Will this ping-pong lead to a trade agreement, or will the trade war intensify?

Prospects for US Attacks on Ansar Allah

strategic Council Online – Opinion: After more than three weeks of military aggression and unprecedented and widespread bombing of various cities in Yemen, the US government has not yet gained significant and strategic achievements in line with its declared goals.

Loading
Samir Design Group گروه طراحی سمیر