If China and Russia were as sincere as they suggested about caring for Syrian civilians, then they would not be attempting to resolve the conflict through negotiation, and they certainly wouldn’t try to further delay a “rash move” when dozens if not hundreds of Syrian civilians are dying each day at the hand of Assad-controlled security forces. Bashar al-Assad is murdering his own people a la Qaddafi; the death toll is now approaching 10,000 civilians.

It’s true, military action is a rash move – a Libya-like NATO intervention could end badly, largely because the Syrian opposition is fragmented and unorganized, unlike in Libya. But allowing for targeted airstrikes or at least the funneling of aid to rebels along with the establishment of a “safe zone” near the border could actually help.

In reality, if you read any of the below articles, China and Russia are vetoing these resolutions for a few reasons. One, to show a clear break with the West. Two, in retaliation for diplomatic moves that they didn’t like. And most importantly, three: because the Russian and Chinese regimes rely on the argument that domestic sovereignty trumps all to justify their own autocratic and abusive regimes. To support a democratic uprising while crushing dissent at home is hypocritical and invites further protest. And neither Vladamir Putin nor Hu Jintao want that.