Global Politics and Security

Flashcards covering key concepts related to international relations, security, terrorism, and other relevant topics.

What is the United Nations (UN)?

An international organization created to maintain global peace, security, and cooperation between states.

What is UN peacekeeping?

The deployment of international forces to maintain or restore peace in conflict areas.

What is 1st generation peacekeeping?

Traditional peacekeeping focused on monitoring ceasefires with neutrality and consent of both sides.

What is 2nd generation peacekeeping?

Multidimensional missions including elections, human rights, and nation-building.

What is 3rd generation peacekeeping?

Robust peacekeeping allowing use of force to protect civilians and combat militias.

What is terrorism?

The use of violence against civilians to create fear and influence political outcomes.

What is state terrorism?

When governments use violence against civilians to achieve political goals.

Give an example of state terrorism.

Russia targeting civilians in Ukraine.

What is non-state terrorism?

Violence carried out by non-government groups.

What is the 'target of persuasion' in terrorism?

The audience terrorists aim to influence through violence. Attrition, spoiling, intimidation, outbidding, and provocation

What are the three targets of persuasion in terrorism?

Domestic population, government, and international audience.

What is attrition in terrorism?

Using repeated attacks to convince the enemy they cannot win.

What is the goal of attrition?

To wear down the opponent’s will over time.

What is intimidation in terrorism?

Using violence to control a population through fear.

What is the goal of intimidation?

To make civilians obey or support the group.

Give an example of attrition.

Long-term insurgent attacks against stronger states (e.g., Taliban vs U.S.).

Example of intimidation?

ISIS controlling territory through fear.

What is provocation in terrorism?

Attacking to trigger an overreaction from the government.

What is the goal of provocation?

To make the government look oppressive and gain support for the terrorists.

Example of provocation?

Terrorist attacks leading to harsh crackdowns on civilians.

What is spoiling in terrorism?

Attacking to prevent peace agreements.

What is the goal of spoiling?

To keep conflict going and block negotiations.

Example of spoiling?

Extremist groups attacking during peace talks (e.g., Israel–Palestine).

What is outbidding in terrorism?

Competing groups using violence to prove they are the strongest or most committed.

What is the goal of outbidding?

To gain support from the same population.

Example of outbidding?

Rival extremist groups escalating attacks to gain followers.

What is human security?

A focus on protecting individuals rather than states from threats like poverty, disease, and violence.

What document introduced human security?

The 1994 UNDP Human Development Report.

What are the main threats in human security?

Economic, food, health, environmental, personal, community, and political threats.

What triggered the crisis in the India-Pakistan simulation?

Coordinated terrorist attacks in New Delhi.

What group claimed responsibility for the attacks?

Jihad-e-Hindustan (JeH).

Why is the India-Pakistan crisis dangerous?

India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed rivals.

What is India’s main goal in the crisis?

Pakistan arrests militants and allows interrogation (preferably extradition).

What is India’s minimum demand in the crisis?

Access to interrogate suspects in Pakistan.

What domestic pressure does India face?

Public anger and upcoming elections.

What is India’s best strategy?

Start diplomatic, pressure Pakistan, involve US/UN, use military only as last resort.

What are the three types of actions in the simulation?

Diplomatic, military, and open actions.

What is nuclear deterrence?

Deterrence is a state of mind brought about by the existence of a credible threat of unacceptable counteraction.

What is an example of successful deterrence?

The Cold War (no direct US–USSR war).

What is an example of failed deterrence?

Russia invading Ukraine.

What are the 4 C’s of deterrence?

Capability, Credibility, Communication, Cost.

What is capability in deterrence?

Having the ability to carry out a threat.

What is credibility in deterrence?

The opponent believes you will act.

What is communication in deterrence?

Clearly signaling threats and intentions.

What is cost in deterrence?

The punishment outweighs the benefits.

What is nuclear proliferation?

The spread of nuclear weapons to more countries.

What is non-proliferation?

Efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

What is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT, 1968)?

A treaty to prevent nuclear spread and promote disarmament. Has 191 members

Why do states pursue nuclear weapons?

For security, deterrence, prestige, and independence from allies.

What is the security reason for getting nukes?

To deter threats from enemies and prevent invasion.

What is an example of security-driven nuclear development?

North Korea developing nukes to deter the U.S.

What is prestige motivation for nuclear weapons?

To gain global status and be seen as a major power.

Why do some states choose not to develop nuclear weapons?

Alliances, cost, international pressure, and norms.

How do alliances reduce nuclear proliferation?

States rely on protection from powerful allies (e.g., U.S. nuclear umbrella).

What is an example of alliance preventing nukes?

Japan and South Korea rely on U.S. protection instead of building nukes.

Why are nuclear weapons costly?

Very expensive to build, maintain, and secure.

How do international norms limit proliferation?

Treaties like the NPT discourage and restrict nuclear development.

What is an example of a country giving up nukes?

South Africa voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons.

What do optimists believe about nuclear weapons?

More nuclear weapons can lead to more stability.

What do pessimists believe about nuclear weapons?

More nuclear weapons increase danger and instability.

What are NNWS?

Non-Nuclear Weapon States that agree not to develop nuclear weapons.

What is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?

China’s global infrastructure strategy to expand influence.

What are the 3 E’s of China’s strategy?

Economic, Energy, Expansion (security/military).

What is Mastro’s argument?

China is actively trying to reshape global power using economic and military tools.

Who are the Arctic 5?

US, Canada, Russia, Norway, Denmark.

Who are the Arctic 8?

United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, Denmark, + Finland, Sweden, Iceland.

What is cyber defense?

Protection against digital attacks on systems and infrastructure.

Why is cyber security different from traditional security?

Hard to trace attackers, low cost, high impact, constant threats.

Give an example of cyber threats.

Election interference or ransomware attacks.

What is migration?

Movement of people from one place to another.

What is voluntary migration?

Moving by choice (jobs, education).

What is involuntary migration?

Forced movement (war, disaster).

What is emigration?

Leaving a country.

What is immigration?

Entering a country.

What are internally displaced persons (IDPs)?

People forced to move within their own country.

How is climate change a security threat?

It increases instability and conflict risk.

What is a 'threat multiplier'?

Something that worsens existing problems and increases conflict risk.

How does climate change lead to conflict?

Resource scarcity, displacement, economic instability, weak governance.

What is Bowen’s main argument?

Ethnic conflict is not ancient—it is politically constructed.

What causes ethnic conflict?

Political manipulation, colonial legacies, and elite decisions.

What is a key idea about violence?

Violence is top-down mobilized, not spontaneous.

What is Blattman’s main argument?

War is not inevitable; it happens due to miscalculation and leadership failures.

Why do groups fight?

Unaccountable leaders, misperception, incentives like ideology or identity.

What caused Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?

Power asymmetry, regime differences, and Putin’s personal beliefs.

What is an important factor in Russia's actions?

Russia’s authoritarian system and leadership decisions.

What is deterrence in one sentence?

Preventing war through fear of retaliation.

What is terrorism in one sentence?

Violence used to influence an audience.

What is proliferation?

Spread of nuclear weapons.

What is the biggest risk in the India-Pakistan crisis?

Nuclear escalation.

What is the key idea of ethnic conflict?

It is constructed, not ancient.