ABSTRACT
This chapter examines to what extent the practice of the use of force by Western states influenced the understanding of the exceptions from the prohibition of the use of force, as well as the functioning of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – the body bearing the primary responsibility for maintaining peace and security. The interventions by Western states and the accompanying argumentation certainly contributed to lowering the authority of the UNSC whose role was a priori disregarded in national defence strategies, adopted, for example, by the US. The practice of Western interventions promoted a dangerous interpretation according to which states may undertake unilateral action if the UNSC examined a given situation in the past. The world powers showed that once again they recognised the necessity of obtaining a prior authorisation from the UNSC if they planned a military intervention.
