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February 20, 20260 citationsOpen Access

Neorealism and UNSC: The Syrian Conflict as a Test Case for Mearsheimer's Theory

Neorealism and the United Nations Security Council: The Syrian Conflict (2011–2024) as a Test Case for Mearsheimer's Theory of Institutional Instrumentalisation

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Authors

JSJulian Sterk

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Overview

This working paper examines the UNSC's voting behavior in the Syrian conflict, indicating power dynamics among great states.

Key Points

  • The paper aims to analyze the UNSC's inaction during the Syrian conflict through Mearsheimer's neorealist lens.
  • Qualitative, deductive single-case study design
  • Analysis of UNSC resolutions on Syria from 2011 to 2024
  • Examination of voting behavior of permanent members, particularly Russia and China
  • Review of official meeting records and secondary literature on regional strategic interests
  • Eighteen out of nineteen draft resolutions were vetoed, primarily by Russia and often with China
  • Findings support Mearsheimer's hypotheses about vetoes preventing competitor gains
  • Structure of UNSC limits enforcement of humanitarian norms when conflicting with strategic interests of a permanent member

Cite This Study

Julian Sterk (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6997fa6dad1d9b11b3453acdhttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18685801
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