Conferences Flashcards
What historical factors contributed to the Darfur conflict?
British colonial rule favored Arab elites in the north, marginalizing African groups.
Disbandment of traditional conflict-resolution systems led to unmitigated resource disputes during droughts in the 1970s.
Post-independence Arab-dominated governments perpetuated economic and political marginalization of African ethnic groups.
How did the Sudanese government and Janjaweed militia carry out violence in Darfur?
The Sudanese government armed and supported the Janjaweed to suppress rebellions.
Widespread ethnic cleansing, including village destruction, mass killings, systematic rape, and forced displacement of over 2.7 million people.
The Janjaweed became symbolic of the conflict’s brutality, engaging in tactics described as genocidal.
What major UNSC resolutions addressed Darfur, and why were they ineffective?
Resolution 1547 (2004): Called for a ceasefire but lacked enforcement mechanisms.
Resolution 1556 (2004): Threatened action unless Sudan disarmed the Janjaweed, an unrealistic demand.
Resolution 1564 (2004): Established the International Commission of Inquiry but imposed no punitive measures.
What was the significance of the 2005 Responsibility to Protect (R2P) adoption in the context of Darfur?
R2P highlighted the obligation to intervene when states fail to protect their citizens.
The crisis exposed the limitations of R2P, as sovereignty concerns and lack of resources hindered effective international response.
What role did the ICC play in pursuing justice for Darfur?
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Sudanese officials, including President Omar al-Bashir, for genocide and war crimes.
Sudan refused to recognize ICC jurisdiction, complicating enforcement efforts.
What events led to the international community’s intervention in Libya?
Protests during the Arab Spring (2011) escalated into civil conflict.
Gaddafi’s forces responded with violent crackdowns, including indiscriminate bombings and threats of mass killings in Benghazi.
What were the key provisions of UNSC Resolutions 1970 and 1973 on Libya?
Resolution 1970 (February 2011): Imposed sanctions (arms embargo, travel bans, asset freezes) and referred the situation to the ICC.
Resolution 1973 (March 2011): Authorized “all necessary measures” to protect civilians, including a no-fly zone, but excluded foreign occupation forces.
What were NATO’s objectives under Operation Unified Protector?
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Enforce the arms embargo.
Patrol the no-fly zone to prevent airstrikes on civilians.
Protect civilians from violence by Gaddafi’s forces.
What criticisms were raised against NATO’s intervention in Libya?
NATO was accused of exceeding its mandate by pursuing regime change rather than solely protecting civilians.
The intervention destabilized Libya, contributing to a prolonged civil war and regional insecurity.
Why is Libya often cited as a “textbook case” of R2P, and what challenges does this label entail?
Libya exemplified R2P’s principle of preventing mass atrocities.
Challenges: Selective application of R2P (e.g., lack of action in Syria) and post-intervention instability undermined its legitimacy as a norm.
What were the immediate causes of Vietnam’s intervention in Cambodia?
Border clashes and attacks by the Khmer Rouge in 1977–78 displaced thousands and killed Vietnamese civilians.
Khmer Rouge atrocities, including mass killings, intensified Vietnam’s security concerns and moral justification for intervention.
What legal justifications did Vietnam use for its intervention in Cambodia?
Self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, citing cross-border attacks by the Khmer Rouge.
Implicit humanitarian intervention to stop the Khmer Rouge’s genocide, though this was not their primary argument.
How did Cold War dynamics shape the international reaction to Vietnam’s intervention in Cambodia?
The U.S. and ASEAN opposed Vietnam, viewing it as Soviet expansionism in Southeast Asia.
The Soviet Union supported Vietnam, framing the intervention as legitimate.
China condemned it as aggression, escalating regional tensions.
What were the outcomes of Vietnam’s intervention in Cambodia?
The Khmer Rouge was overthrown, and the People’s Republic of Kampuchea (PRK) was established.
Vietnam faced economic sanctions and international isolation, exacerbating regional instability.
The intervention raised questions about balancing sovereignty with the moral imperative to prevent genocide.
How does Vietnam’s intervention in Cambodia relate to contemporary debates on humanitarian intervention?
Highlighted the tension between state sovereignty and human rights.
Sparked debates on whether intervention should be justified by intent (self-defense vs. human rights) or outcomes (ending genocide).
