War and Peace

RULAC database

database that shows different kinds of conflicts around the world and their legal status under international law.

Carl von Clausewitz

explored the nature of war and its relation to politics - “war is a continuation of politics”

Paradoxical triangle

passion (people), chance (military), and policy (government)

civil war

war between two parties within the same sovereignty

international war

war between two or more states

security dilemma

increase in one state’s security incites reaction from others, leading to further tensions and arms races.

offense-defense theory

theory that explains the balance between offensive and defensive strategies in war, suggesting that the nature of military capabilities influences state behavior in conflict.

when is war less likely?

when defense is at advantage and states can effectively deter aggression.

biological and psychological causes of war (Aaron)

aggression is a constant in nature; human instincts and biological factors play a significant role in the propensity for conflict.

Social argument - “why men fight” (Can Creveld)

war is an attractive activity, a game of the highest stakes; men fight for honor and glory

social construct “war is only an invention” - (Mead)

war is an invention through which we order our lives

terrorism

political attack targeting civilians to instill fear and achieve political objectives.

opportunities for terrorism

weak states, ethnic division, available financing for rebels, international environment, poverty, geography

interests for terrorism

ideology, cultural and ethnic grievances, political grievances, pressure to join, individual psychology, poverty, combined warfare and welfare

counterterrorism

supporting economic development in regions with potential terrorist organizations, focusing on strengthening police abilities, and military training and response

FARC-EP

A Marxist-Leninist guerrilla group in Colombia, involved in drug trafficking and armed conflict against the Colombian government, aiming to establish a communist regime.

UP Party

leftist Columbian political party founded as part of the peace negotiations that the guerillas held with the Conservative administration

doctrine of military ethics (just war theory)

set of moral principles and values that guide the conduct of military personnel

jus ad bello

“justice of war”; there needs to be just cause for involving oneself in war/political conflict

jus in bello

“justice in war”; the ethical and legal principles that govern how war is fought

The Red Cross

humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and other services

Geneva Convention

set of international treaties that establish rules for treating civilians and soldiers during war

treaties of Geneva Conventions

treatment of wounded and sick members on the battlefield, treatment of wounded and sick crew members on the sea, treatment of prisoners of war, protection of civilian persons in time of war

protocols of Geneva Conventions

protections of victims of international and non-international armed conflicts, and adoption of additional distinctive emblem

weapons of mass destruction

device that can cause widespread death, injury, or damage to the environment

Chemical Weapons

choking agents, blister agents, blood agents, nerve agents

Chemical Weapons Convention

international treaty that bans the use, production, and stockpiling of chemical weapons

Biological weapons

microorganisms or toxins that are produced by living organisms

Biological Weapons Convention

bans use of biological warfare

nuclear weapons

device that uses nuclear reactions to create an explosive force

fission

splitting atomic nuclei to release energy (atomic bombs)

fusion

light nuclei fuse to form heavier nuclei, releasing energy (H bomb)

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

international agreement to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, promote peaceful nuclear energy, and work toward nuclear disarmament

dual use problem

challenge of managing technologies that can be used civilian and military purposes

non-proliferation pillars

non-proliferation, eventual disarmament, peaceful use of nuclear energy