The BBC reports that Russia and China, among others, have voted against Zimbabwe sanctions in the UN’s Security Council. There’s probably no surprise here: the vote gives both countries the chance to exert their power in opposition to the hopes of their western opponents, the US and the UK. It also undermines calls within the UN for (1) restraint to political violence by the Zanu PF, and (2) respect for democratic outcomes. As powers that regularly undermine democratic processes, Russia and China gain much by casting doubt over the primacy of democratic governance in the lofty forum that the Sec Council affords.