Humanitarian Intervention (since 1990s)

Question 1

What is Humanitarian intervention

Answer 1

The principle that the international community should intervene to protect human life, whether because of war (Ukraine 2022-present), natural disasters (Syria and Turkey Earthquakes 2023) and genocide.

Question 2

Why has humanitarian intervention intensified since the 1990s

Answer 2

• Intensified in the post-Cold War era as communism had been defeated and liberal ideology expanded.
• In the 1990s, moral principles determined intervention (not regime change as this wasn’t allowed in the UN law) - so the USA could intervene and act as a moral authority.

Question 3

Blair and Clinton (1999)

Answer 3

+ Blair = HR wasn’t an abstract concept - if ignored, it would create instability and human misery. He intervened in Kosovo (1999) to prevent Serbians killing the Kosovans in the Yugoslavian Ciivil War.

+ Clinton = ignored the Rwandan genocide and changed his foreign policy stance to challenge Westphalian principles by emphasising the universality of HR (sent troops to Kosovo).

• UN established in 2000 the ‘responsibility to protect’, creating a global community to ensure people live without fear.

Question 4

Successful interventions:

East Timor

Answer 4

• Following the annexation by Indonesia and years of separtist resistence, in 1999, the Indonesian govt reluctantly agreed to an independence referendum with 78% in favour - provoked violence backed by govt in Jakarta which caused half a million e-Timorese to flee their homes.
• Australia led the UN force to keep peace by disarming and disband militas and Clinton placed economic pressure on Indonesia.
• By 2003, E timor gained full independence.

Question 5

Successful interventions:

Sierra Leone

Answer 5

• Brutal civil war in the 1990s - the RUF was responsible for multiple atrocities and was backed by Charles Taylor in return for ‘blood diamonds;.
• PM Blair sent in military forces to help evacuate foreign nationals and troops to help the government crush the rebels in highly mobilised operations.
• 2001 = RUF agreed to disarm and in 2003, Taylor stood down and went into exile.
• 2006 = UNSC charged Taylor with 11 war crimes and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Question 6

Unsuccessful interventions:

Somalia (1992-1993)

Answer 6

• Soon stuck in a quagmire, unable to distinguish between rival clans, militas and civilians.
• The lack of a legitimate government to defend meant the US struggled to successfully cooperate with Somalian forces - quickly seen as an alien occupying force.
• Clinton eventually withdrew the troops in 1994 due to lack of public support or success - shows that HI requires a realistic chance of being successful and a political will to be completed.

Question 7

Unsuccessful interventions:

Darfur with Sudan (2003-present)

Answer 7

• Separatist demands for black muslims with the govt sending in the Arab Militia, who pillaged and murdered 300,000, leaving 5 million displaced.
• UNSC dithered again its response, like Rwanda, and China didn’t condemn it as it had economic interest in Darfur. When the UN/AU peacekeeping was sent, most of the killing had already took place.
• Darfur’s size, remoteness and lack of basic infrastructure made its work extremely difficult - worsened by the govt’s lack of cooperation, especially as there is no clear agreement as to the future status of Darfur.

Question 8

Unsuccessful interventions:

Afghanistan (2001-14)

Answer 8

• Post 9/11 focus was to bring to democracy - means a safer world from terrorism, end of the violation of female rights and a tolerant society.
• Culturally it was difficult as Fundamental Islam existed in large parts of the country and Western forces struggled understand the significance of ethnic, tribal and family alliances and tensions - undermined attempts to build trust.
• The West were seen as invaders rather than liberators - eventually withdrew their troops (US and allies) in May 2021, allowing the Taliban to retake power.

Question 9

Unsuccessful interventions:

Iraq (2003-19)

Answer 9

• Like Afghanistan - a post-9/11 liberal intervention designed to stablise it, protect HR and reduce threats to the international community.
• No attention paid to the post-war reconstruction: they disbanded the Iraqi army, encouraged the disintergreation of law and order and the removal of Saddam Hussein caused insurgency from Sunni Muslims.
• Provoked widespread killing and burutal arrest and interrogration by occupying forces - too few to provide real security but enough to exacerbrate anti-Western hatred.
• USA was unprepared to keep large forces in Iraq to police the country - allowing ISIS to strengthen its position.

Question 10

What determines humanitarian success

Answer 10

1) Feasibility = logistics, geography and size; opposition level and culture.
2) Seen as an imposter = not seen as a liberator (example of American imperialism).
3) Mandate = was there universal agreement to intervene (esp. UN) - determined by cost and whether it’s a peaceful/military takeover.
4) Nation-building = short-term intervention won’t work alone - long-term goals?
5) Existence of a legitimate govt = hard to be successful if they try to prop up false democratic govts.
6) World Leadership = early and decisive - is it self-interest,