Solving International Disputes

Question 1

What are the 4 methods used to solve international disputes?

Answer 1

• mediation
• humanitarian aid
• sanctions
• use of force

Question 2

where, when

What is the controversy surrounding the UK’s role in solving international disputes?

Answer 2

British involvement in the Iraq war 2003-2011

Question 3

What is mediation?

Answer 3

process involving outsiders in a dialogue to try resolve disputes

Question 4

What are sanctions? Give 2 examples. what do they aim to do?

Answer 4

Sanctions are actions like trade bans or boycotts used to pressure countries, individuals, or companies to change their behaviour. For example, the EU placed sanctions on Russia in 2022, and the UK boycotted the China Olympics over human rights abuses.

Question 5

When is use of force typically used?

Answer 5

Usually with allies as part of international coalitions (e.g. NATO, EU, UN)

Question 6

What is contreversial about the use of force?

Answer 6

• risk of civilian casualties
• motives questioned (power, wealth)
• could undermine international law
• lead to long term instability (prolonged conflict, political chaos, economic collapse, or humanitarian crises that can last years or even decades after the initial intervention)

Question 7

What changed after the Iraq war in 2003 in regards to UK use of force?

Answer 7

House of Commons should approve military action before troops are deployed — for greater democratic oversight and legitimacy.

Question 8

Why did the UK get involved in Iraq?

Answer 8

WMD Threat:
The UK, alongside the US, believed Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, was developing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and posed a security threat.

Support for the US:
The UK, under Prime Minister Tony Blair, wanted to maintain a strong alliance with the US, which was leading the military action.

Regime Change:
There was a desire to remove Saddam Hussein due to his brutal dictatorship and human rights abuses.

Global Security:
The UK government argued that removing Saddam would prevent Iraq from becoming a safe haven for terrorists and that it would promote regional stability.

Question 9

What were the consequences of UK involvement in Iraq?

Answer 9

Long-term Instability in Iraq:
The war caused political chaos and religious conflict in Iraq, eventually leading to the rise of ISIS and prolonged conflict.

Loss of Life:
The war resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, both military and civilian, and left Iraq in a state of devastation.

Tarnished International Reputation:
The UK’s involvement damaged its international credibility, with many countries criticizing its role in the war.

Strained Relationship with the Public:
The public trust in the government and political leaders was severely shaken, leading to a decline in support for military interventions.

Question 10

Why was the Iraq war so contreversial?

Answer 10

No UN Approval:
The invasion lacked clear UN Security Council approval, leading to accusations that the war was illegal.

WMDs Were Never Found:
The main justification for the war — that Iraq had WMDs — was disproved when no such weapons were found after the invasion. The government misled the public and parliament about the severity of the threat.

Mass Civilian Casualties:
The war led to significant civilian deaths and contributed to widespread suffering in Iraq, with many civilians caught in the violence.