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Unless unrelenting and overwhelming force is used to wipe this scourge from the face of the earth – something that the Security Council would never authorize – nothing the Security Council can say or do will make any difference.

UN Security Council’s Feel-Good Resolution Against ISIS



On February 12th, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to respond to the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as well as the al Nusra Front and other groups associated with al Qaeda in Syria and Iraq. The resolution, which Russia of all countries put forward, was adopted under the legally binding provisions contained in Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
The resolution forcefully condemns the abductions of women and children, and their exploitation and abuse, including rape and forced marriage, committed by ISIL and the other terrorist groups referred to in the resolution. The resolution also notes with “great concern” the “increased incidents of kidnapping and hostage-murdering committed by ISIL” and condemns “those heinous and cowardly murders which demonstrate that terrorism is a scourge impacting all of humanity and people from all regions and religions or belief.” In terms of underlining the importance of a strong and united international response, the resolution restates the obligations of member states to take certain steps to prevent the terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria from enriching themselves. These include blocking such sources of revenue and funds as trade in oil and antiquities, payments of ransom for hostages, donations and participation in the international financial system. The resolution includes the possibility of more sanctions intended to degrade the terrorist organizations' ability to carry out their brutal attacks. More specifically, the resolution threatens to impose sanctions on those who engage in any direct or indirect oil-related trade with ISIL, the al Nusra Front and the other groups associated with al Qaeda in Iraq and Syria. Otherwise, the resolution is mostly a reminder and re-affirmation of what member states are already supposed to be doing to counter the terrorists’ illicit activities. Member states are once again reminded of existing sanctions against the payment of ransom for hostages, regardless of how or by whom the ransom is paid, and against providing arms to the terrorist groups. They are urged to discourage donations to the terrorist groups while encouraging their financial institutions to prevent the terrorist groups from accessing the international financial system.

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After the vote, a number of members of the Security Council spoke, essentially patting themselves on the back for at least taking some form of united action against ISIL and the al Qaeda terrorist groups operating in Iraq and Syria. On the plus side, the Security Council was able to come together to issue perhaps its strongest denunciation yet of ISIL and the other terrorist groups. It highlighted their systematic killings, kidnappings, sexual abuse, and other crimes against humanity. It called for justice and accountability against the perpetrators. And it outlined some concrete actions for member states to take in unison, which were cast in binding terms under international law. On the negative side, ISIL and its cohorts could not care less what the Security Council says or does. They consider themselves bound only by sharia law, not what they consider the man-made laws or resolutions of infidels. The Security Council’s failure to link the jihadist terrorists with the Islam-based source of their animating ideology renders the Council’s whole exercise a meaningless feel-good gesture. Arms and funding will continue to flow to ISIL especially. More territory, and with it more oil and other rich resources, will fall under ISIL’s control. More recruits will join to replenish their ranks. Unless unrelenting and overwhelming force is used to wipe this scourge from the face of the earth – something that the Security Council would never authorize – nothing the Security Council can say or do will make any difference.


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Joseph A. Klein, CFP United Nations Columnist -- Bio and Archives

Joseph A. Klein is the author of Global Deception: The UN’s Stealth Assault on America’s Freedom.


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