The growing rift between world powers to the east and west widened this weekend as China and Russia joined forces to veto a UN Security Council Resolution condemning Syria and its ongoing violent repression of the 11-month long citizen uprising. They were the only two nations to veto the resolution, which came just hours after one of the most violent crackdowns so far in Syria that left hundreds of people dead.
American UN Ambassador Susan Rice was outraged after the vote – arguing that China and Russia “put a stake in the heart of efforts to resolve this conflict peacefully.” According to the United Nations, more than 5,400 people have died so far during the Syrian uprisings.