Syria may spur global rise in unilateral intervention

Subject

Syria and international norms of war.

Significance

The Syrian conflict has prompted intervention by a number of states, both directly and by proxy. The participation of all but one of the five UN Security Council permanent members (except China) in military operations in Syria raises questions over whether the norms of legal and ethical grounds for intervention have changed as a result of the conflict.

Impacts

• Justifications will include broad interpretation of 'humanitarian intervention' to conceal real intentions.
• The UN will have less ability to assert itself when the leading powers choose to ignore, or interpret selectively, international standards.
• Collective international action against Islamic State group in Syria may build.