Precedent

[The Luminaire]

Of what worth is a law, they argue, or a UN decree, if it is not enforced?

Its only enforced if it suits the needs of the parties involved. Sad but true, the "Laws", or "Resolutions" in either case, all become relative in the eye of the beholder.

Of what worth is a law, they argue, or a UN decree, if it is not enforced?

Exact same situation. The parties involved decided they had something more to gain, or in the current case, soemthing to lose, that would thereby sway their views one way or another. For the furtherment of whatever the hell an isses is, they'll swing one way or another.

If you look at the UN descision process, since Russia was admitted to the whole gathering, they have never ceased to do exactly that. Same thing with the french. I dont mean to be derogatory to the french people in general, nor the russians. Ive got very good friends coming from both cultures, but it stands that the leadership of those countries arent willing to move on issues unless there is a direct benfit, or on the other end of the spectrum, an extreme harm to come. With little thought towards the climate of world relations, or what effect their descisions may have on issues to come.

Like you said, the greatest risk of all is risking naught at all.

*edit* woo, spelling. :)