What is the difference between counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism?
The difference between counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency is simple: counter-terrorism focuses more narrowly on combating the tactics and strategy of terrorism and those who employ it, while counter-insurgency is a broader category of responses to political violence carried out by minority groups, both terroristic and otherwise.
The European Union: Power and Ethical Goals
The particular theory of “Ethical Power Europe” is one that has emerged relatively recently as an evolution of the characterisation of the power that the EU wields. The EU is finding it hugely difficult to act in a truly ethical foundation, devoid of self-interest as a primary motivator. Even the consistent location of the External Relations policy of the EU in a framework of Security suggests that the security of the EU that is the primary motivating factor rather than ethical goals
Amazon Battle: Is hydropower the new Kobayashi Maru?
The Belo Monte and the Madeira Dams have been subjected to criticism due to their negative impacts on indigenous populations of the Xingu and Madeira River. Besides threatening the livelihood of indigenous communities, the projects also have significant negative impacts on the environment. This nevertheless remains a popular option among policy-makers.
The Application of Force and Strategy in Sun Tzu and Clausewitz
Whilst separated by great distances in time, geography and culture, both Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz can be seen to have developed a rather similar outlook on strategy and the application of force. Whilst both are mutually complementary, Clausewitz has the better overall work on strategy. One would do well to read both On War and The Art of War before becoming a statesman
The Contrasting Sides of the Great Fire Wall
It is clear to see that from a historical cultural point of view that the two nations were built on very different ideological manifestations; liberal capitalism for Hong Kong and authoritarian communism for China. From these differing ideologies come different viewpoints and in turn, differing laws, which further lay the foundations for the differences the two states have.
Why did Britain join the war against Germany?
Many in the British public believe that the First World War was fought over nothing but trivial issues amongst a tiny elite. But the idea that Britain went to war for no reason is without charge; Britain went to war to preserve its national interests that were threatened to such an extent that it faced no other realistic opportunity but to engage in war.
Human Security and the Plight of Europe’s Roma Population
Given the severity of the discrimination and prejudice suffered by Europe’s Roma minority, defining government’s role was key to further understanding the challenges faced by Roma and how they live in a perpetual state of crisis as relates to human security. The question of Roma is a thorn in the eye of Europe, not only for Roma but for a region that cannot afford such human insecurity amongst its population
The All-China Federation of Trade Unions: A Conflict of Interest?
The All-China Federation of Trade Unions’ first and second allegiances are to the government and the employer respectively, as it is in these organisations that the power and funding is to be found. Employees in the future will likely find ways in which to find greater representation, either through alternative foreign trade unions, or through employee formed trade unions, as has already been seen in Shanghai.
Disinterest and Frivolity: Assessing Luttwak’s ‘Give War a Chance’
The ‘give war a chance’ argument is one which argues against disinterested and frivolous motives. Whereas most would likely agree that disinterested interventions are undesirable, Luttwak’s extension of this to include all interventions is inappropriate. The key assumptions of his argument simply do not stand up to logical analysis
Has the Northern Ireland question been resolved?
The ethno-national, colonial and paramilitary conflicts of the extremists within Northern Ireland are the key issues for development and the Northern Ireland Peace Process. Until their full decommissioning on both sides of the divide, Northern Irish politics struggles to find resolution, in spite of the framework of power-sharing being in place.
