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Ukraine War Reignited Council Reform
- Russia's invasion of Ukraine revitalized long-dormant Security Council reform discussions by exposing the Council's inability to check a veto-wielding P5 member.
- President Biden publicly backing reform in September 2022 turned diplomatic chatter into a credible US-led push in New York.
US Plan Likely Adds Non-Veto Permanent Seats
- The likely US approach is to add roughly six new permanent seats (G4 plus two African seats) and expand elected seats, moving the Council toward ~25 members.
- This preserves the P5 vetoes while creating a middle tier of permanent members without veto power.
Non-Veto Seats Offer Influence But Not Full Power
- New permanent membership without vetoes gives status and consistent influence but not veto power; some aspirants (India) may find that insufficient.
- Germany and Japan might accept non-veto permanency; India likely insists on a veto to match its ambitions.