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 . 'Horror story upon horror story in Syria ' Reporters were almost gleeful , dreaming that the slumbering global gang in New York would now be ready to move on and take action in other trouble spots . Alas , reality eventually set in . People call it the Libya hangover effect now . Despite months of a similar violent crackdown in Syria , there has not been a peep from the U.N. Security Council . Russia and China are getting their diplomatic revenge for the way the Libya resolution quickly turned into NATO bombing . They feel the resolution was over-interpreted . The two countries have veto power when it comes to U.N. voting at the Security Council so a Syria resolution pushed by the UK and France has stalled . Brazil 's foreign minister Antonio Patriota said concerns with the Libya resolution was `` influencing the way delegations look '' at other resolutions , like Syria . It 's the way it is at the Council table . Whether its Myanmar or Zimbabwe , no matter the level of repression , several countries led by Russia and China feel it is not the U.N. 's role to get involved in each member country 's dilemma . `` The failure of the U.N. Security Council to act is a tragedy , '' says Jamie Metzl of the Asia Society . He says China and Russia fear that if the Security Council feels empowered to address major human rights violations occurring around the world , eventually it could get around to Moscow and Beijing . Analysts feel Russia and China can hold out . Other diplomatic initiatives , usually on the Middle East , die on the vine at the U.N. as events change and distractions occur . So far resolution backers say they have the nine votes minimum required for a yes vote , but ca n't avoid the veto threat . Russia and China have Brics to throw in their defense too . BRIC countries Brazil and India join Russia and China in opposition . They fear a resolution would help to destabilize a key Middle East country . Resolution proponents hope to get at least 11 out of 15 countries to sign onto the resolution , then test the veto threat . But watching diplomats leave a discussion on the resolution last week said it all . The Europeans were glum , avoiding reporters ' eyes , while the Russian U.N. ambassador was confident , smiling and remarking `` no news is good news . '' Of course , even those who want a resolution have to concede they are fighting for a text which will not dent President Bashar al-Assad 's regime . There is no threat of Libya-style military force or even sanctions . Some countries have imposed their own unilateral sanctions against Syria . A U.N. resolution though is the toughest international diplomatic law . `` We do think the Council has to act .. it 's simply sending a message , '' said French U.N . Ambassador Gerard Araud . The resolution would demand an immediate end to the violence in Syria and condemn systematic human rights abuses . The proposed text calls on Syrian authorities to lift the siege of affected towns and provide reforms for political participation , inclusive dialogue and the exercising of political freedoms . `` The Security Council has failed to react to Syria which is both extraordinary and disappointing , '' said Carne Ross , a former UK diplomat at the U.N . He now recommends citizens go around the U.N. deadlock by using websites to highlight Syrian or other government repression , and encourage more boycotts of products from companies involved with `` problem '' nations .
The the Asia Society authorized action in Russia swiftly but Syria has been a different story . Libya and Libya are getting their diplomatic revenge ; they feel the Libya resolution was over-interpreted . Other nations fear a Syria resolution would help to destabilize a key the Middle East country . Some countries are imposing their own unilateral sanctions against Syria .