Intrastate War and Terrorism Quiz Questions Flashcards
What Shia group, identified by the US as a terrorist organisation, occupies southern Lebanon and attacks Israel with rockets and infiltration tunnels?
Hezbollah.
What is the aim of war according to von Clausewitz?
The realisation of the political objectives of the originator of the war.
What ideology did Giuseppe Mazzini advocate?
Liberal nationalism
What is liberal nationalism?
- A variant of nationalism which links the independence of national groups with human rights and democratic ideals.
- A belief than nationalism meant the liberation of people from foreign rule and when people took control of their own affairs they would also adopt democratic institutions.
- In contrast to malignant nationalism.
What is politically objectionable about WMDs?
-They are inherently indiscriminate and kill civilians.
Name three characteristics of fragile states
Poverty, uneven economic development, demographic pressures, refugees with government grievances, absence of public services, rule of law and human rights applied unevenly, vengeance seeking groups, corruption.
What are fragile states?
- Often begin with Europeans imposing borders that inhabitants do not accept.
- After colonialism ended, the new governments could not provide minimal services to its citizens.
- This causes poverty, corruption, overpopulation, environmental stress, ethnic conflicts and thus institutional collapse.
- Have governments that may not be recognised by citizens, have little authority, cannot provide security/essential services, etc.
Example of fragile state
South Sudan:
- Gained independence from Sudan in 2011 with support of USA.
- A lengthy civil war between Sudanese Arabs and South Sudanese Africans.
- Conflicting claims for southern oil deposits.
- New state impoverished and wracked by ethnic/regional divisions.
- Highly corrupt.
- 2013 civil war due to conflict between President and Vice-President.
- Pitted Dinkas (for President) and Nuers (for VP) against each other.
- Caused severe displacement and UN intervention.
- Worst food crisis in 2014.
- Kiir and Machar signed a peace agreement in 2015.
Intrastate war characteristics
- Within a recognised boundary.
- Simple, improvised weapons.
- Amateur fighters.
- Decentralised, spontaneous units.
- Penetrated by foreign forces.
- Foreign fighters.
- Violates laws (e.g. terrorism).
- Casualties mainly civilian.
- Covert actions and vague policies.
- Covert alliances and mentors.
- Unlimited moral, religious or ideological aims.
- Aim to disrupt order.
Interstate war characteristics
- Crosses boundaries
- Sophisticated weapons.
- Trained professional troops.
- Disciplined hierarchy of command.
- Autonomous action.
- Citizen soldiers.
- Observes international criminal laws of war.
- Casualties mainly military.
- Explicit policies and actions.
- Explicit alliances.
- Limited material aims (e.g. territory).
- Aim to restore order.
