Time to Take Nyet for an Answer—and Move On

For the third time in recent months, Russia, supported by China, blocked United Nations action to put additional pressure on Bashir Assad and help end the violence in Syria. A UN Security Council resolution is the preferred way to go. But if that is not possible, preemptive contract sanctions can tighten the squeeze on Assad without the cooperation of Russia and China. Owen Barder and I explain how the US, UK and others could use preemptive contract sanctions in Syria here and here (and in the video below) and offer a draft declaration showing how it could be done here.