OpinionUN Security Council’s inaction is tearing the world apart

Every violation of international law invites the next. From Afghanistan to Iran, and across Iraq, Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Gaza and Venezuela, the line between what is permitted and what is prohibited has been steadily blurred by the complicit inaction of the United Nations Security Council. Wielding the veto as both a shield and a weapon, its permanent members act without grounding in the UN Charter. They play with the fate of millions, leaving a trail of death and destruction.

Until recently, there was at least an attempt to give interventions a veneer of legitimacy through UN endorsement. Today, the open exercise of power no longer even tries to keep up appearances. The guard rails of multilateral institutions are becoming too narrow to contain hegemonic rivalries.

Without multilateralism, we risk replacing an imperfect system of collective security with the brutal reality of widespread insecurity. When all constraints on the use of force are removed, chaos prevails.

The world is witnessing the highest number of armed conflicts since World War II. It is no coincidence that this is happening at a moment when democracy stands at a crossroads. Extremism is both the starting point and the end point of a vicious cycle. When governments allow themselves to be drawn into war by intolerance or the arrogance of power, they plant the seeds of resentment that yield more hatred and violence.

Dual-use technological advances confront us with ethical questions. The selection of military targets is already being carried out by artificial intelligence, without legal or moral parameters in place. The principles of international humanitarian law – in particular the distinction between civilians and combatants – are under serious threat. Women and children are the primary victims of this collective tragedy.