The Role of United Nations in Promoting Peace & Security in the Middle East: A Case of Syria

Abstract

The ongoing war in Syria has posed a major challenges of the peace and security mandate of the United Nations. Since 2011, the conflict has involved state and non-state actors, regional and world powers and the massive humanitarian disasters as well as it has questioned the capability of international institutions in the context of managing complex crises. This study critically reviews the role of the United Nations in the Syrian conflict with the reference to the diplomatic, humanitarian and accountability efforts. This study rests on a qualitative approach of the case study analysis of UN-led processes, such as the Geneva peace process, cross-border humanitarian operations, and mechanisms of legal accountability, such as the Commission of Inquiry and International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM). Such interventions are evaluated in the paper in comparison with barriers of geopolitical transgression, including paralysis of the Security Council, vetoes, functional constraints, and regional power politics. The results indicate that despite contributions in humanitarian aid and norm-setting, the UN has been limited by structural weakness and political divisions, offering insights for scholars and policymakers.