Global/International Conflict Flashcards
What is a border dispute?
A disagreement over the possession or control of landbetween two or more politicalentities
What are some responses to border disputes?
- Crisis diplomacy
- Mediation
- War
- Sanctions
What is war?
A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country.
What are global actor’s responses to war?
Direct intervention by states
Direct intervention by IGO (UN, NATO)
Sanctions imposed
Negotiated solutions
What are challenges faced by global actors resolving war?
- Extreme levels of violence involved
- Opposing goals of warring factions
- Opposing National Interest of States
What is separatism?
The advocacy or practice of separation of a certain group of people from a larger body on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or gender.
What is terrorism?
The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
What is non-state terrorism?
- acts of terrorism carried out by individuals, groups, or organizations that are not affiliated with a recognized state or government.
- operate independently and often have political, religious, or ideological motivations that drive their acts of violence.
What is state-sponsored terrorism?
- acts of terrorism that are supported, sponsored, or conducted by a government or a state as a means to advance its political, military, or ideological goals.
- government actively provides assistance, resources, training, to non-state terrorist groups/ individuals to carry out acts of violence, often against another state, its citizens, or its interests.
What is asymmetric warfare?
Warfare between opposing forces which differ greatly in military power and that typically involves the use of unconventional weapons and tactics
What are global actors’ responses to non-state terrorism?
- Direct military action
- Financial sanctions against supporters
- Surveillance/Intelligence measures
- Disruption of terror groups’ income streams
What are global actors’ responses to state sponsored terrorism?
- Bans on arms sales/export
- Limit economic aid
- Economic sanctions
- Negotiation
What are challenges of resolving terrorism?
- Asymmetric nature
- Hard to defeat ideology
- Difficulties in negotiation
- High levels of violence
What is civil conflict?
a violent conflict within a country fought by groups that aim to take power, or to change government policies
What are proxy wars?
a war fought between groups of smaller countries that each represent the interests of other larger powers, and may have help and support from these
What is crisis diplomacy?
Global Actors negotiations to manage international crises.
What is an interstate conflict?
violence between two or more states (WWII)
What is national interest?
What a nation feels to be necessary to its security and wellbeing. The most vital objectives a State pursues, for its own benefit.
What is instability?
Situations of political change in policies, regimes or governments or through violence and upheaval.
What is NATO?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliancethat responded to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
What is a proxy war?
A war fought between groups of smaller countries that each represent the interests of other larger powers, and may have help and support from these (Korean War, Vietnamese War)
What are sanctions?
Economic and diplomatic penalties imposed on Russia due toits actions in Ukraine.
How did the Russia-Ukraine conflict start?
- Crimea annexation
- Pro-Russian separatist movements
- Fear of expansion with EU and NATO
- Euromaidan protests
- Historical tension (U used to be part of Russian Empire, and Soviet Union)
What are consequences of war?
- Humanitarian crises
- Economic struggle (sanctions, rebuilding)
- International isolation (turning and destroying of alliances)
Why is the Russia-Ukraine war considered asymmetric?
- Power imbalance
- Unconventional tactics
- Hybrid warfare (special forces, propaganda campaigns, cyberattacks, info warfare)
- Protracted conflict (no clear victory)
- Differing political Goals
How did Ukraine become sovereign?
- Signing of Act of Declaration of Independence
- Referendum on 1 Dec 1991
- Dissolution from Soviet Union on 26 Dec 1991
3 reasons for Crimea annexation?
- NATO doesn’t accept countries with conflict
- Ousting of pro-Russian president (setback of Russia’s interests)
- Boosting Putin’s popularity (gain support within Russia)
Russia’s fears of Ukrainian links to the West?
- NATO’s military infrastructure moving closer (national security concern)
- Loss of economic partner
- Loss of cultural links
Unconventional tactics used by Ukraine?
- Guerilla warfare
- Forming of territorial defense units
Which states/global actors are involved with Russia-Ukraine, and their attitudes and actions?
Australia, USA, EU, and NATO:
- strongly condemn Russia’s actions, support Ukraine by providing aid, sanctions, military assistance, efforts for peaceful resolution, increased presence in East Europe
Belarus, China:
- no strong stance against Russia’s actions, maintained strategic ties with Russia
Challenges faced by global actors attempting to resolve Russia-Ukraine conflict?
- Ongoing violence
- Effectiveness of sanctions: many countries wanting to maintain economic ties with Russia
- Humanitarian crisis
- Russia denying direct involvement with annexation and East Ukraine
Aims of terrorism?
- Spread fear
- Destroying sense of security in a certain area
- Destabilize government for freedom to expand influence
- Revenge for government “wrongs”
- Address social aspects/bring light to issue (oppression, discrimination)
Challenges with overcoming terrorism?
- High levels of violence
- Asymmetric nature
- Difficulty in negotiation
- Difficulty in changing ideologies
3 examples of terrorism in last 10 years?
- Syrian Civil War + Rise of ISIS
- Pulwama in India
- Manchester Arena Bombing
Difference between terrorist and freedom fighter (give example of both)
Terrorist: Acts of violence against civilians, and to coerce governments (negative) -> Osama bin Laden
Freedom fighter: Fighting for justice, liberation, rights (confronting government) -> Nelson Mandela
Challenges in dealing with asymmetric warfare?
- Unpredictable nature (unconventional tactics)
- Misinformation to manipulate public opinion/credibility
- Protecting civilians
Who are the Taliban?
Islamic fundamentalist terrorist group based in Afghanistan, who oppose formal democratic government
What are challenges faced by the Taliban?
- Other states not taking them seriously
- Sanctions (economic crisis)
- Humanitarian crisis
- Invasions by foreign forces
Global implications of the Taliban?
- Refugees fleeing to other states
- Safe haven for terrorists plotting attacks against other states
Aims of the Taliban?
- Enforce strict Islamic laws (Sharia Law)
- Expulsion of foreign forces
- Resistance to Western influence
- Eliminate corruption, impose law and order
Aims of the USA in terms of the Taliban, and challenges they have faced?
- Destroy Al-Qaeda
- Prevent Afghanistan as safe haven
- Restore democratic government
- Sanctuaries in Pakistan
- Well-organized nature of Taliban, and sophisticated intelligence
- Knowledge of terrain/support
What is counter terrorism?
countering violent extremism in all its forms by preventing attacks
