After the Spring
The notion that democracy in the region is in the interest of the US and its NATO allies was and continues to be an illusion and a fabrication. It becomes a dangerous fantasy when taken up by some liberal circles and champions of humanitarian intervention. This fantasy could kill a million people and destroy an entire country, as in Iraq, and might yet do the same in Libya, Syria, Lebanon and Iran.
Who is a South African? Interrogating Africanness and Afro-phobia
The end of Apartheid created the need for a new identity in South Africa. The Post-Apartheid regime thus was always clamoring to bring South Africa back to Africa. Under this pursuit, Africanness became the defining feature of the new identity discourse in South Africa. Simultaneous to this, xenophobia against foreigner Africans emerged potently as a counter-discourse to Africanness.
‘Another false dawn for Africa?’ An assessment of NEPAD
NEPAD is an ambitious project which attempts to deal with a wide range of issues that are crucially important forAfrica’s improvement. This essay will begin with a description of NEPAD and refer to the previous attempts with same objectives. Afterwards, it will discuss the components of NEPAD mentioning the strengths and weaknesses of them.
The perilous path of the UNHCR
In the absence of a more autonomous political and resource base for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), there will continue to be a limit in the effectiveness of its response to refugee crises and its ability to check host countries that do not comply with agreements to protect the human rights of refugees.
Why are Nuclear Weapons So Appealing to Nation-States in the 21st Century?
In an anarchical system, for large states, indebted to a Cold War strategic culture, nuclear armaments offer the capacity to irrationalise major inter-state war, therefore creating the foundations for great-power peace and stability. Similarly it gives small states the ultimate life insurance, allowing them to defy the preponderance of more powerful nations.
The Functions of Diplomacy
Throughout the course of history diplomacy has been a paramount element in the upkeep of peace and in the creation of positive change. Without diplomacy much of the world’s affairs, and organizations, would not exist. There are many examples of how diplomacy has affected countries, and even individual citizens.
The Question of Identity: The EU/Turkey Integration Debate
The eastward expansion of the EU has shown the flexibility of what is European. The future integration of Turkey is the next step towards increasing recognition that the values that unite Europe are indeed universal, and that therefore, European identity cannot be culturally or territorially bounded.
Review – Russian Foreign Policy: From Nation State to Global Risk Sharing
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia endured a difficult rebirth into a unipolar world order where it struggled to find a place. Dr. Nicolai Petro traces the journey the nation’s governments have made since this painful transition and looks to the continuing evolution of Russia’s diplomatic identity.
China’s New Authoritarianism
China’s inability or refusal to democratize has been a constant source of political consternation for the West. Yet, China is becoming a democracy of sorts, albeit laced with an authoritarian edge.
Review – Brzezinski’s Technetronic Era
The phrase ‘Technetronic Era’ many not have cemented its place in posterity, but we appear to be living in elements of it nonetheless.
