In an unprecedented move, Saudi Arabia last week turned down a two-year nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The move was a stunner. Not only has no country ever before refused the position, but Riyadh had lobbied for the seat and even prepared its diplomats for the post.
Saudi Arabia justified the decision with a condemnation of the U.N.'s "double standards" and the U.N.'s failure to protect international peace and security. The complaints are fair, but the action still makes no sense, as Riyadh has reduced its influence by rejecting the UNSC seat.
Every year the U.N. General Assembly elects five countries to occupy half the nonpermanent seats on the UNSC. While nonpermanent members do not enjoy the status of the Permanent Five seat holders — China, Britain, France, Russia and the United States — or their veto power, a place at the UNSC is considered one of the most important positions in international diplomacy, offering those governments insight into deliberations on key international issues and a chance to influence outcomes.