United Nations (CNN) -- We have all heard about the Arab Spring, the rapid change which swept through the streets of the Middle East and North Africa. In New York in March, there was a brief coincidental Security Council spring. 10 out of 15 nations approved a Security Council resolution endorsing a firm response to a crackdown in Libya. NATO bombing soon followed. I saw and felt a difference. U.N. diplomats and staff expressed confidence and hope that the international organization was finally going to make a difference by being unified and taking dramatic action to help citizens threatened by their own government.
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The U.N. authorized action in Libya swiftly but Syria has been a different story
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Russia and China are getting their diplomatic revenge; they feel the Libya resolution was over-interpreted
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Other nations fear a Syria resolution would help to destabilize a key Middle East country
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Some countries are imposing their own unilateral sanctions against Syria
Middle East
Middle East
Other diplomatic initiatives, usually on the @placeholder, die on the vine at the U.N. as events change and distractions occur.
United Nations
U.N.
U.N.
Other diplomatic initiatives, usually on the Middle East, die on the vine at the @placeholder as events change and distractions occur.
Libya
Libya
Libya
There is no threat of @placeholder-style military force or even sanctions.
United Nations
U.N.
U.N.
A @placeholder resolution though is the toughest international diplomatic law.
United Nations
U.N.
U.N.
He now recommends citizens go around the @placeholder deadlock by using websites to highlight Syrian or other government repression, and encourage more boycotts of products from companies involved with "problem" nations.