Multilateral Cooperation and Great Power Rivalry in the UNSC: An Analysis of UNSC Discussions Between China, Russia, and the United States on the Syrian Civil War in 2011, 2016, and 2021

Abstract

Great power rivalry has returned to international relations as the tensions between great powers such as China, Russia, and the United States of America are on the rise. These growing tensions are unlikely to disappear, which raises concerns about multilateral cooperation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This chapter focuses on the rhetoric and narratives of these three states in the UNSC discussions on the Syrian civil war in 2011, 2016, and 2021. The aim is to help understand the kind of rhetoric these states use, whether it shows evidence of great power rivalry, and whether multilateralism seems to be operational based on rhetoric and decision-making capability. This research offers a brief insight into great power rivalry and a short introduction to the Syrian civil war before analysing eight meeting minutes from meetings with votes. Based on the analysis, there is evidence of heightened tensions between the three states, especially in the USA-Russia rhetoric—negative towards one another—with China being the most neutral and diplomatic power. While multilateral cooperation turned difficult and confrontational at times, the great powers could still make decisions and even cooperate with each other.