United Nations Peacekeeping and the Question of Reform
Since the first peacekeeping operation was deployed some sixty years ago, peacekeeping has developed to become one of the most important areas of UN responsibility. The rapid growth of UN peacekeeping has meant that this development has often happened in an ad hoc and relatively unguided manner. As a result mistakes and failures have occurred.
The Relation of Security To Identity
Security and identity are two concepts that are deeply intertwined on many different levels, and cannot be separated, demonstrating the flaws in the Neorealist position. While identities are intersubjectively constructed and can emerge or disappear over time, they remain relatively fixed entities, and are thus an essential referent object for security.
The Evolution of Terrorism as a Tool of Political Change
Terrorist organizations have become more effective in delivering fear to global populations. It is not only globalization that has helped terrorist groups operate more efficiently, but also their inherited nature of a constant process of adaptation, ingenuity, and incrementalism when faced with new grand strategies.
The challenges confronting western intelligence services after 9/11
After the attacks there was an automatic shift in intelligence interest from state to non-state actors. Agencies changed from gatherers into hunters, searching for any information revealing possible threat of attack. Compared to standard state targets, Al- Qaeda and other global terrorist groups were more difficult to find, target and spy on due to their mobility.
Theoretical Approach to Understanding NATO Intervention in Libya
NATO’s political objective superseded humanitarian considerations. A liberal argument for the primacy of human rights cannot account for NATO’s conduct in Libya.
Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War
Though barbaric, heinous, and atrocious, sexual violence is employed when its use makes strategic sense, i.e. is capable of inflicting maximum damage at a low cost and a high pay-off.
Critical Assessment of Cosmopolitan Democracy
It would be beneficial to free the concept of democracy of its territorial, state-bound constraints and work toward a more democratic global order, but a new global structure is not feasible.
Differences in Patterns During the Yugoslav Wars
The Yugoslav Wars were a tragedy, yet parts of Yugoslavia had different experiences. Slovenia’s secession was relatively bloodless, Croatia’s was violent, and Bosnia’s secession was even more so.
The China-ROK Relationship: A Blueprint for China on a Wider Stage?
China’s growing influence in the international system is receiving a lot of attention, both positive and negative. In some quarters, China’s ‘rise’ is complete. This growth is especially felt in North East Asia. Therefore, the Republic of Korea needs to take great interest in China’s future role on the regional and global stage, concerning it’s relations with its northern neighbour as well as their close cooperation with the US.
How Appealing are CBRN Weapons to Terrorist Groups?
Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism is often portrayed as one of the greatest threats facing the world. But to the rational terrorist, acting with concern to the strategic considerations of external support, possible retaliation and mass-casualty outcomes, CBRN weapons are of limited appeal.
