There are four main options for the security council. 1) Pass a resolution of some sort. 2) Issue a "presidential statement." 3) Issue a "Press statement" 4) Do nothing. Both 1 and 4 are not very likely.
A potential No Fly Zone is only a humanitarian half measure. It would let the international community say that it is doing something, but there is very little a No Fly Zone can actually do to stop ongoing slaughter.
In Bahrain today, a geo-strategic ally of the United States has massacred its own people. Meanwhile, in New York, the United States cast a lone veto on a resolution condemning new Israeli settlement construction.
Column Lynch reports that "In a sharp reversal, the United States decides to rebuke Israel in the Security Council." I wouldn't exactly put it that way. In fact, what the United States is doing is actually in line with its longstanding policy of defending Israel.
In the Washington Post Jennifer Rubin dismisses the signatories of a letter to president Obama urging him to support a Security Council resolution condemning the construction of new Israeli settlements.
The Palestinians have forwarded a Security Council resolution condemning new Israeli settlement activity. The resolution clearly reflects American position on the settlement issue, but will the Americans veto it anyway?
I recently spoke with Rinaldo Depagne, a West Africa expert with the International Crisis Group. I strongly urge people to have a listen to our brief conversation, in which Depagne distills some of the complexities of this crisis.
At 11 am (EST), Vice President Joe Biden will preside over a Security Council meeting on Iraq. He will have a very packed schedule, including votes on three separate resolutions.
