Shorter case studies

Libya Intervention (2011)

The UN approved military action in Libya under R2P to stop mass atrocities. It shows how liberal and constructivist views support humanitarian intervention, even when sovereignty is compromised.

Syria Conflict

Attempts to apply R2P in Syria failed due to Security Council vetoes by Russia and China. This highlights realist limits on humanitarian norms.

Ukraine Invasion

Russia’s invasions in 2014 and 2022 violated Ukraine’s sovereignty. Realism explains this as a pursuit of power and strategic security.

South China Sea Dispute

China rejects international legal rulings on territorial claims, using military and economic power instead. This shows a clash between realism and liberal international law.

Brexit Example

The UK left the EU to regain control over its laws and borders. This reflects nationalist views on sovereignty versus liberal integration.

Syria’s Multi-Level Security Challenge

Syria faces civil war, terrorism, and failed international interventions. It’s an example of complex, overlapping security threats.

Australia’s Refugee Policy

Australia prioritizes national security through strict border control, often at the expense of refugee rights. This shows tension between state sovereignty and human security.

Climate Change Threat

Climate change threatens global ecosystems beyond borders. It requires cooperation and challenges traditional notions of security.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The pandemic exposed weak international health coordination. Global health security struggled due to limited WHO power and nationalism.

Ukraine’s National Security Issue

Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression is a realist case of defending state sovereignty and survival.

Syria’s Civil War

Foreign interventions and proxy conflicts made Syria’s war intractable. It reveals R2P’s limits in complex internal conflicts.

Ukraine Power Rivalry

The Ukraine war shows revived East-West power politics. Realism explains the rivalry between Russia and NATO.

Iraq War (2003)

The US invaded Iraq without UN approval, ignoring international law. It shows how powerful states may act unilaterally.

Afghanistan War

The long conflict saw foreign intervention fail to bring lasting peace. It raises questions about legitimacy and state-building.

Libya NATO Operation

NATO’s intervention, though UN-backed, is debated—some see humanitarian success, others see sovereignty violation.

End of Cold War Change

The Soviet Union’s collapse reflected shifting identities and norms. Constructivism highlights the power of ideas in global change.

Nuclear Weapon Taboo

An informal global norm discourages nuclear weapon use. Even powerful states are constrained by this social expectation.

Responsibility to Protect Norm

R2P says states must protect populations from atrocities, and others must step in if they fail. It reshapes sovereignty.

Changing Sovereignty Concept

Sovereignty is no longer absolute—it’s linked to state responsibilities. This shift allows international concern over domestic issues.

Human Rights and LGBT Progress in UN

The UN increasingly supports LGBT rights. This shows evolving global norms in human rights.

South China Sea Legal Dispute

China’s rejection of international rulings shows how strong states may ignore law. Realism dominates over legal liberalism.

Iraq Invasion and UN Law

The Iraq War bypassed UN approval. It illustrates the limits of international law against powerful states.

UN Peacekeeping in Somalia

UN efforts in Somalia failed due to poor planning and ongoing conflict. It shows limits of peacekeeping in unstable regions.

Libya Intervention Controversy

The Libya case raised debate: was it humanitarian or Western overreach? It questions how R2P is applied.

Syria and UN Security Council Deadlock

Russia and China’s vetoes blocked UN action in Syria. This shows how geopolitics can paralyze humanitarian response.

Paris Climate Agreement

Countries agreed to reduce emissions under a liberal international framework. It shows cooperation despite sovereignty concerns.

Pacific Islands and Rising Seas

Rising seas threaten island nations’ existence. It challenges traditional sovereignty and demands global response.

Global COVID-19 Response

Poor coordination and nationalism weakened the pandemic response. Global health governance was shown to be fragile.

Brazil and Amazon Sovereignty vs Environment

Brazil claims sovereignty over the Amazon, clashing with global environmental concerns. This shows tensions between national rights and planetary responsibility.

Vaccine Access Inequality

Rich countries got vaccines first, while poorer ones waited. The pandemic revealed global health and economic inequality.

Libya (2011) R2P Success

UN-backed intervention stopped atrocities. This is often cited as a working example of R2P.

Syria R2P Failure

Security Council gridlock stopped action. Syria shows the practical limits of R2P.

Rohingya Crisis

Global response to Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya was weak. This reveals selective application of humanitarian norms.

China and Uighurs

China shields its human rights abuses under the name of sovereignty. It challenges international accountability.

Human Rights Council Challenges

The UNHRC is often seen as ineffective due to politicization. It struggles to enforce rights consistently.