The War on Terror and Western Security Services
The War on Terror has greatly altered the role of Western security services: many changes have been products of the Bush Doctrine, and have been furthered by Obama’s policies.
U.S. Foreign Policy Failures in Iraq
The Gulf War may be considered a military triumph par excellence; however, a destabilized Iraq must also be considered a disastrous outcome for the U.S. Foreign Policy establishment.
Can ‘Human Security’ Practices Protect Humans from 21st Century Threats?
Whilst ‘human security’ has theoretical merit, its idealistic nature renders it flawed in practice and no more effective than the ‘traditional’ security approach which preceded it.
Can IR Theory Explain US-NATO Engagement in Kosovo?
Studying the use of international organizations as hegemonic tools highlights America’s special role in NATO’s decision-making process and its unique interests in the Kosovo intervention.
Would More Female Leadership Lead to Less Global Conflict?
An increased focus on communication and reconciliation over individualism could have the potential to bring a more peaceful orientation to foreign policy issues.
Is Foreign Policy a Rational Process Devoid of Politics?
Foreign policy-making is far from scientific or rational. Instead, politicized and non-scientific foreign policy decisions and outcomes often result from bureaucratic politics.
Private Military Companies and International Security
Whilst the time-honoured profession of being a mercenary may be as old as the history of warfare itself, we are perhaps witnessing a golden age for the soldier of fortune.
The Rise of China’s Sovereign Wealth Funds
China’s utilization of SWFs serves to fulfill political objectives in spite of the international regulations which tend to inhibit the combination of political and economic goals.
Securitization, Democratization and Aid Distribution
Post 9/11 there has been an increased securitization of development issues, shifting aid conditionalities to behaviour supportive of the “War on Terror”.
Do Human Rights Challenge State Sovereignty?
While human rights do challenge state sovereignty, they do so mainly at the conceptual level. In practice their capacity to interfere with states’ domestic affairs is severely limited.
