THE United Nations Security Council gave Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, a chance to end the killing and avoid complete chaos with a plan that called for a ceasefire, a withdrawal of troops from embattled cities and a political transition. It is deplorable — but no surprise — that he reneged on nearly every promise. On Friday, activists reported that Syrian troops fired tear gas and bullets on thousands of protesters. The government is thwarting UN ceasefire monitors by restricting their numbers and movement. … And according to the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, the government is failing to provide needed food and medicine to 230,000 displaced people, and refusing to allow outside agencies to help.

Mr Assad’s cruelty and blindness were predictable. What is unfathomable is why Russia and China continue to protect him. They have blocked the Security Council from imposing any sanctions. Even now, Russian officials put much of the blame for the bloodshed on the fractured, mostly peaceful opposition forces, not the Syrian Army with its heavy weapons. Russia sells arms to Syria and uses its Mediterranean port of Tartus. And after the events in Libya, both Russia and China seem determined to deny the West another ‘win’, so they keep hanging on to Mr Assad. At this point it should be clear that for the sake of a pointless geopolitical game, both countries are further tarnishing their global reputations. … And when Mr Assad falls — and he will — the people of Syria will blame them for their complicity in this bloodbath. …

Eight months ago, President Obama said “the time has come for President Assad to step aside”. The international community is still scrambling to find a way to make that happen. There are no easy solutions. The place to start is to push Moscow and Beijing to cut their losses. The best approach would be a United Nations arms embargo and the toughest possible economic sanctions — if China and Russia will not block the Council. …Sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and others are having an effect and should be tightened. On Monday, the European Union is expected to take aim at the Assad family and its cronies by blocking the sale to Syria of luxury goods.Turkey, which is caring for thousands of Syrian refugees, has suggested creating humanitarian corridors inside Syria, where civilians can shelter. We are sceptical. It would require air patrols and possibly troops for protection. And any outside intervention runs the risk of sparking a wider war. …Washington and its allies need to summon all of the pressure they can find — and direct it at Damascus, Moscow and Beijing. That is the only way to stop the killing and avoid another war. — (April 20)