‘Coalition of willing’ could bypass diplomacy

In the face of a UN Security Council deadlocked on Syria, the US and its allies could seek other means of legitimising any retaliatory strike they launch against Syria’s government for last week’s alleged gas attack on civilians.

The 15-nation council has been split on Syria since 2011. Russia, president Bashar al-Assad’s ally, and China have vetoed three resolutions condemning Assad and calling for punitive steps against his government.

However, the US has previously intervened in conflicts without Security Council backing, most notably in the Kosovo War in 1999. Any strike by the US, Britain, France, and others without a clear UN mandate would infuriate Russia, which could be expected to denounce any such attack as illegal.