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What role does the United Nations Security Council have in decisions about aggression?

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Under the United Nations Charter, the Security Council holds the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Specifically, under Article 39, the Security Council is empowered to determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression.123

Once the Security Council makes such a determination, it has the authority to:
* Recommend procedures: It may suggest methods for the peaceful settlement of disputes, such as negotiation or mediation.1
* Decide on coercive measures: If peaceful efforts fail, the council may order measures ranging from diplomatic and economic sanctions to the use of armed force to restore international peace.123

In practice, the Security Council's ability to act is often constrained by the veto power held by its five permanent members. When permanent members disagree, the council may become ineffective in addressing acts of aggression. While the General Assembly may discuss security issues, its power is generally limited to making recommendations, whereas the Security Council can issue binding decisions.231