Implications For Global Security Research Articles

The new arms race: analyzing Sino-US geo-strategic dynamics and implications for global security

ABSTRACT The term ‘Arms Race’ describes the Cold War’s intricate geostrategic landscape, wherein the United States and Soviet Union were the principal contenders. The New Arms Race, in which China and the USA are major players, demonstrates the shifting dynamics of the global geostrategic landscape and symbolizes the current global geostrategic environment. This study, therefore, investigates the intricacies of the emerging Sino-U.S. arms race and how Xi Jinping's foreign policy and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation influence China's military modernization. Considering China's recent military modernization, how has the US adapted its military modernization and strategic outlook to contain China? Furthermore, this study assesses President Trump's and Biden's diverse strategic outlooks in their approaches to China's military advancement and the geopolitical implications of the Sino-US Arms Race for global security and strategic stability. Moreover, this study highlights that a new bipolar world order analogous to the Cold War is emerging. The escalating New Arms Race will not only alter the regional balance of power but also encourage higher defense spending and strategic partnerships among like-minded nations, with consequences for the global arms control architecture.

Critical analysis of international law failures in the Russian invasion of Ukraine: implications for global security

This paper offers a critical analysis of the structural deficiencies in international law that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine revealed in 2022. The study reveals a significant failure of international legal mechanisms, in particular the United Nations, to effectively deter Russian aggression and prevent the escalation of violence. Despite numerous legal actions and international responses – including resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly, proceedings at the International Court of Justice and investigations by the International Criminal Court – these measures have failed to alter Russia’s conduct or prevent further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine. The study employs a normative juridical approach, analyzing the legality of Russia’s actions considering established international norms and principles. Through this methodology, the research uncovers how Russia’s justifications for its military intervention – based on self-defense, collective self-defense, and allegations of genocide – are legally flawed and inconsistent with international law. Moreover, the research reveals the broader implications of these violations, including the potential erosion of global legal norms and the setting of dangerous precedents that could undermine international peace and security. The findings of this research highlight the urgent need for reform within the international legal framework to address these deficiencies. The paper concludes by proposing specific reforms, such as expanding the abstention obligation in the United Nations Security Council and clarifying the legal basis for humanitarian intervention, to strengthen the enforcement of international law and better protect state sovereignty. These insights contribute to the ongoing discourse on the role of international law in conflict resolution and the maintenance of global security.

Sino-Russian Military Alignment and Its Implications for Global Security

What is the nature and impact of Sino-Russian alignment? What are the conditions under which each is likely to support the other militarily and with what type of support? To answer these questions, this article presents a novel alignment framework that best captures war fighting capabilities and how great powers align and determines the values of each indicator based on English, Chinese and Russian sources. I argue that China and Russia are significantly aligned and trending towards an even more extensive alignment relationship. However, the scope of their military alignment is limited to facilitating China’s challenge of US hegemony in Asia. Additionally, Russian support comes in the form of enhancing China’s independent combat capacity and potentially providing support functions in wartime but does not extend to direct involvement. These findings have implications for the literature on alignment, deterrence calculations and ourunderstanding of Russian and Chinese strategic thinking.

Charting a Course in Troubled Waters: Towards a New Cold War in Global Commons

The global commons, encompassing the vast expanses of the world’s oceans and beyond, have emerged as the battlegrounds of a new era of great power competition. This article scrutinises the escalating great power competition in the global commons. Integrating geopolitics, maritime strategy, international relations theory and historical perspectives, we illuminate the multifaceted dimensions of this rivalry and its implications for global security. Our analysis examines U.S. naval strategies, China’s ascendance and the role of emerging technologies in naval power. Our findings unveil a rapidly evolving landscape where nations escalate their contest for pivotal sea routes, resources and strategic locales—a rivalry deeply rooted in historical precedents; within this context, China’s naval modernisation and Belt and Road Initiative are recalibrating the extant power equilibrium. As we enter a new era of competition, the global commons present both opportunities and challenges, requiring collective action for mutual benefits.

Development of a Nuclear Fuel Dissolution Monitor Based on Raman Spectroscopy.

The processing of spent nuclear fuel and other nuclear materials is a critical component of nuclear material management with implications for global security. The first step of fuel processing is dissolution, with several charges of fuel sequentially added to a batch of solvent. The incomplete dissolution of a charge precludes the addition of the next charge. As the dissolution takes place in a heated, highly corrosive and radiological vessel, direct monitoring of the process is not possible. We discuss the use of Raman spectroscopy to indirectly monitor dissolution through an analysis of the gaseous emissions from the dissolver. Challenges associated with the implementation of Raman spectroscopy include the composition and physical characteristics of the offgas stream and the impact of operating conditions. Nonetheless, we observed that NO2 concentrations serve as a reliable indicator of process activity and correlate to the amount of fuel material that remains undissolved. These results demonstrate the promise of the method for monitoring nuclear material dissolution.

Rise of neo-authoritarianism: implications for global security and of democracy

Rise of neo-authoritarianism: implications for global security and of democracy

Non State Actors and International Conflicts: A Study of ISIS and Boko Haram

This paper examined the role of non-state actors in international terrorism with special emphasis on ISIS and Boko Haram as cases under review. The paper examined the complex and evolving roles of non-state actors, specifically ISIS and Boko Haram, in international conflicts. It delves into issues surrounding recruitment, radicalization, transnational impact, and responses by states and international community. By investigating these aspects, the study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by these groups and inform more effective counterterrorism strategies and policies. The research questions that guided this study are, how do non-state actors contribute to local and international conflict, and what are the implications for global security? The research objective was to analyze the strategies employed by these two groups to achieve their objectives and to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures adopted by the international community to combat their activities. The theoretical framework adopted in this study is the Terrorism and Insurgency theory seeks to explain and understand the use of violence and intimidation by non-state actors to achieve political, ideological or social objectives, with its use of armed struggle against government or occupying force, often involving guerrilla warfare and popular support, with the aim of achieving political change, and sometime independence. The findings of this study revealed that non-state actors like ISIS and Boko Haram pose a significant threat to global security, as they are able to carry out attacks on a global scale and destabilize entire regions. In the light of these findings, this study proposes several recommendations for addressing the threat posed by non-state actors. These include improving intelligence sharing and coordination among states, strengthening legal frameworks to prosecute individuals and groups engaged in terrorism, and addressing the root causes of conflict, including poverty, political instability, and social marginalization. Only by adopting a comprehensive and coordinated approach can the international community effectively combat the threat posed by non-state actors and promote global peace and security.

Weapons Proliferation, International Security and the Future of the Global System

Today, the world faces countless difficulties, but none of them is more threatening than the unfiltered and unguarded spread of illicit weapons across the international system. While among threats to international security one can mention poverty, terror, xenophobia, food insecurity, war, and climate change, a far more lethal challenge, which has the destructive capacity to erase the history of all the peoples from the surface of the planet, is currently unfolding. With tens of thousands of people being killed or wounded daily, it has become imperative to interrogate the politics behind the endless abuse, misuse, and illicit proliferation of lethal weapons in the global system and its implications for global security given the scant academic at-tention it has received in recent time. Relying on archival and other non-quantitative data, this study examines the implications of the continued illicit proliferation of weapons for international peace and security. The re-sults reveal that the failures of state actors to address the problem of illicit weapons proliferation have grave implications not only for global peace and security but also for the future. State actors must assume a critical role in minimizing the illicit proliferation of weapons if the future of the global system is to be secure.

From Great Power to Superpower: Evaluating the Economic, Political, and Social Consequences of China's Ascendance for its People and the World

As China's international influence grows, the global power landscape is undergoing an anticipated shift that could bring profound changes, from a reconfiguration of the global economic landscape to a shift in political paradigms. It is therefore essential that global citizens understand the implications of this shift in order to respond effectively to these changes. This paper therefore attempts to provide a comprehensive literary examination of China's political trajectory and its potential rise as a future global superpower. The analysis will be divided into several parts: an assessment of China's growth trajectory; An assessment of China's political stability and governance capacity; Explore China's scientific and technological innovation capabilities and military capabilities; And the implications for global security.

The military application of artificial intelligence technology in the United States, China, and Russia and the implications for global security

ABSTRACT A number of studies have considered the theoretical role that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may play in shaping the global balance of power in the future. While these studies are informative, we currently lack an understanding regarding the precise manner AI technologies are being applied and incorporated in militaries in major power states. Thus, in this study, we examine how AI technology is being applied in the militaries in the US, China, and Russia and analyse the implications for the future of AI, global military competition, and international security. We examine current research on the military application of AI technology in the US, China, and Russia and conduct expert interviews with leading AI experts in academia, think tanks, multinational technology companies, and the military to better understand how AI technology is being applied in the three major powers states and the implications for global security.

The Core Content and Practical Approach of China’s Global Security Initiative

This research paper provides an overview of China’s Global Security Initiative, its essential components, and its practical implementation. Firstly, the paper highlights the significance of the Global Security Initiative in the broader context of China’s global security policy. It then outlines the core elements of the Global Security Initiative, which include promoting security cooperation, establishing a global security framework, and enhancing comprehensive security measures. Secondly, the author explores the practical approach of the Global Security Initiative, which emphasizes cooperation between states, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector. The author also describes the implementation of the Global Security Initiative, such as the establishment of the Global Security Initiative Working Group and its role in regional security cooperation. Furthermore, the author discusses how the Global Security Initiative fits into the Belt and Road Initiative. Lastly, the paper addresses the challenges posed by the Global Security Initiative, including the need for greater transparency and the establishment of an effective governance system. By offering insights into the Global Security Initiative and its implications for global security, the author provides valuable information on this topic. Overall, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the Global Security Initiative, its core components, practical approach, implementation, and challenges, making it an informative read for anyone interested in China’s global security policy.

Outer Space and Private Companies

The paper focuses on sectors, methods, and spheres of the space activity of private companies, to provide empirical analysis of space applications and implications for global security. Special emphasis has been given to private companies offering access to satellite imagery and satellite remote sensing, as well as companies entering outer space with new and prospective capabilities as space mining. The article explains the rising importance of geo-intelligence, space surveillance and telecommunication for global security and new kind of security challenges and vulnerabilities such as environmental problems in outer space or technological challenges to security. The author argues that profit-oriented companies play crucial role in new security environment in the US, efficiently changing the law and practice. Finally he points out that new and growing market for subcontractors in space applications raises questions on growing dependence on private resources in traditional sphere of state activity, namely security, in this case provided from and through the outer space.

A Conversation

A Conversation

Weapons of Mass Destruction and Modern Terrorism: Implications for Global Security

The hazard of biological, chemical and nuclear materials, regarded as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), intercalating the arsenal of terrorists is the biggest crime and challenge against humanity. Every such crime and challenge ought to be named appropriately; and state actors experiencing such owe it to their citizens to act speedily and with certainty against terrorists. Even with the on-going war on terrorism, there has been a surge in terrorist activities in some parts of the world. Terrorists in our contemporary age have also embraced startling trends in their operational mode since the 11 September 2001 fanatic attacks in New York and Washington D. C. The devastating effect of these twin attacks has raised global concern about the potential use of WMD by Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State of Iran and Syria (ISIS), and their affiliate groups. One major issue of great concern in recent times, apart from the propensity of the terrorist organizations to acquire WMD, is the involvement of state actors that secretly acquire or claim to have acquired them for the purposes of electricity generation. Notably, too, is the trend in modern scientific and technological improvement which has increased the nature of, and access to, WMD. This research, therefore, attempts to access the implication and impact of WMD as terrorists put them to use. The study also examines the concept of terrorism and WMD. Also examined is the general implication of the use of WMD and the challenges this might pose to the international community, considering the current trends in their acquisition by some states and non-state actors. The investigation suggests appropriate counter-measures to thwart terrorists’ effort to acquire WMD. The study also adopted the qualitative approach of research to analyse the sophistication adopted by new terrorist groups particularly by the ISIS terrorist network; the al-Qaeda group and other splinter groups. Thus, historical research is most appropriate for this study, and secondary source of data was adopted as its methodology.

Atomic Outcast

The recent developments in North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme have thrown the issue of nuclear proliferation and deterrence in East Asia into sharp relief, but to date the discussion of what long-term impact these developments are likely to have on the international system has not progressed very far. Björn Alexander Düben asks how Pyongyang is likely to behave now that it has passed a major threshold in nuclear weapons development, and what the implications for global security are.

The World Court's Jurisdictional Formalism and its Lost Market Share: TheMarshall IslandsDecisions and the Quest for a Suitable Dispute Settlement Forum for Multilateral Disputes

AbstractOn 5 October 2016, the International Court of Justice (ICJ, the Court) rendered three judgments declining to take jurisdiction in theMarshall Islandscases, in which that state alleged that India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom violated their nuclear disarmament obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and customary international law. In declining to take jurisdiction, the Court further confirmed its recent shift to jurisdictional formalism, initiated inGeorgiav.Russiaand confirmed in bothBelgiumv.Senegaland theAlleged Violations (Nicaraguav.Colombia)judgment. What is more, the Court heightened the burden of proving the existence of a dispute by incorporating an ‘objective awareness’ requirement in its analysis. The present contribution critically situates the Court's judgments within the context of the law of state responsibility and global security, with particular emphasis on the broader implications going forward. It first explores the principal features of the Court's formalistic shift on jurisdictional matters in the cases, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion. The article then turns to the broader implications of these decisions for state responsibility, taking into consideration that the ‘disputes’ submitted to the Court are not strictly bilateral in nature. My ambition is also to highlight the nexus between jurisdictional issues, state responsibility law, and broader questions of access to justice in multilateral disputes. By way of conclusion, the article highlights the importance of identifying creative solutions in a post-Marshall Islandsworld, suggesting the UN General Assembly as a law-making facilitator and the UN Security Council as an alternate – albeit imperfect – dispute settlement forum to tackle multilateral disputes with global security implications.

The World Court's Jurisdictional Formalism and Its Lost Market Share: The Marshall Islands Decisions and the Quest for a Suitable Dispute Settlement Forum for Multilateral Disputes

On 5 October 2016, the International Court of Justice rendered three judgments declining to take jurisdiction in the Marshall Islands cases, in which that State alleged that India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom violated their nuclear disarmament obligations under the NPT Treaty and customary international law. In declining to take jurisdiction, the Court further confirmed its recent shift to jurisdictional formalism, initiated in Georgia v Russia and confirmed in both Belgium v Senegal and its Alleged Violations judgment. What is more, the Court heightened the burden of proving the existence of a dispute by incorporating an ‘objective awareness’ requirement in its analysis. The present contribution critically situates the Court’s judgments within the context of the law of State responsibility and global security, with particular emphasis on the broader implications going forward. It first explores the principal features of the Court’s formalistic shift on jurisdictional matters in the cases, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion. The paper then turns to the broader implications of these decisions for State responsibility, taking into consideration that the ‘disputes’ submitted to the Court are not strictly bilateral in nature. My ambition is also to highlight the nexus between jurisdictional issues, State responsibility law, and broader questions of access to justice in multilateral disputes. By way of conclusion, the paper highlights the importance of identifying creative solutions in a post-Marshall Islands world, suggesting the UN General Assembly as a law-making facilitator and the UN Security Council as an alternate – albeit imperfect – dispute settlement forum to tackle multilateral disputes with global security implications.

The downfall of Daesh in the Middle East and implications for global security

Territorial losses of Daesh, or the Islamic State (IS), in Iraq and Syria have led many to conjure the demise of the global terrorist organization. Conditions on ground, however, are ripe for the recuperation of the organization. The presence of extra-regional players, the widening Shia-Sunni divide, the failure of Iraqi and Syrian governments to stabilize the conflict-hit regions and a timely decision by Daesh to activate its sleeper cells in different parts of Europe, Asia and Africa could very much benefit the organization in recovering from battlefield losses or heralding the fourth wave of global jihad. This, then, could further augment the global implications of the rise of IS, including revival of Cold War era “proxy-ism”, refugee crises leading to fissures among the community of European nations, the intensification of the sectarian conflict in the Muslim world and “lone wolf” terrorism in the West. The paper seeks to map the possibility of Daesh’s recuperation in light of the “terrorist lifecycle” and how this would impact the global peace in general, and in South Asia in particular.

Geostrategic position of Crimea as security factor for the Black sea region

As a result of the Ukrainian authorities' refusal to sign an agreement on joining the EU, at the end of 2013 protests were held in Kiev and a number of cities, led by pro-West opposition. The political situation was radicalized, resulting in the overthrow of the regime of President Yanukovych. These developments triggered protests in the Crimea and in the southeastern regions. After the referendum, Crimea unilaterally separated from Ukraine and joined Russia, while an armed conflict between the central authorities and the armed groups of rebelled pro-Russia population began in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Ukraine accused Russia of annexing the Crimea and of Russia's armed formations actively fighting on the side of the pro-Russia separatists. Bilateral relations were minimized, and have continued in that way for the last two years, with the emergence of a large number of problems that have further burdened and accentuated existing differences of views. Additionally, the newly-established status of Crimea has considerably worsened Russia's relations with Western countries and radicalized the security situation at the regional and global levels. The complexity and topicality of the 'Crimean question' is defined, inter alia, by the special geostrategic significance of the Crimean peninsula, as well as the specific geographical, historical and cultural-identity characteristics of the area. With great care not to fall into the trap of geographical and historical determinism, the paper seeks to prove that the physical and geographical and socio-geographical characteristics of Crimea, as well as its specific historical development, are elements that influenced the change of its status (unilateral separation from Ukraine and joining Russia), causing the creation of a complex political and security situation in the Black Sea region, which threatens to disintegrate the entire system of regional stability, with possible implications for global security. The aim of the paper is to point out the importance of the 'Crimean question' that significantly determines the security of the region and the relations of the most influential geopolitical actors, through the insight in the geostrategic position of Crimea. The aim is also to draw attention to the current topic and to communicate it to the general public, namely, to make, in an affirmative way, a theoretical shift towards understanding and critical perception of the 'Crimean issue', mainly from the perspective of the events of the last two years.

The Marshall Islands Judgments and Multilateral Disputes at the World Court: Whither Access to International Justice?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has mostly emphasized substance over form and developed a pragmatic, flexible, objective, and fact-based analytical approach to jurisdiction. That is until a recent series of judgments veering towards jurisdictional formalism. However, to truly reflect its designation as the “World” Court, the UN's principal judicial organ must surely adjudicate some of the “big cases” with global security implications and involving important obligations erga omnes beyond strictly bilateral dynamics: the Marshall Islands cases were as good contenders as any for the Court to enhance its legitimacy capital.1 As a corollary, accepting this role might entail that the Court interpret its jurisdiction in a flexible and progressive manner, which had always been its mantra up until recently, so that the “big cases” have a chance of getting their foot in the door and being litigated.