Academic Writing, Research, Essay, International Peace and Security

1. Peace and security are two elusive but interrelated concepts. Discuss the conceptual ramifications of peace and security and how these two concepts have evolved through the years. Demonstrate how these two concepts have converged in its current application. 2. The UN Document, A More Secure World of Khofi Anan, identifies six clusters of threats “with which the world must be concerned now and in the decades ahead.” Discuss these six clusters of threats, explain why they are threats to international peace and security, and describe how these threats can be addressed by the international community. What is the value added of A More Secure World to An Agenda for Peace (1992) of Boutros Boutros-­‐Ghali. 3. What is the responsibility to protect (R2P)? How can the world apply the principle of R2P while at the same time uphold the principle of non-­‐interference in the domestic affairs of state? Under what circumstances should the world apply R2P? 4. Conflicts between India and Pakistan; Israel and Palestine; China and Taiwan; and South and North Korea are some of the major on-­‐going international conflicts facing the world today. What is the commonality among these international conflicts and how do you think these conflicts can be resolved? 5. Conflicts in Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, Chechnya, Xinjiang, Sudan, and Sabah are major examples of contemporary armed conflicts that disturb international peace and security. What are the origins of these conflicts and how the international community are responding to these conflicts? 6. Aside from traditional security issue of power balancing among sovereign states, non-­‐ traditional security issues like maritime piracy, terrorism and smuggling/trafficking of arms, drugs and humans have become salient issues in international peace and security. What make these issues “security issues” and how do you think these issues can be addressed to establish a more secure world? 7. There is a view that the UN has become an obsolete international organization in addressing international peace and security problems. Do you believe so? Why? What do you think are the major limitations and achievements of the UN in maintaining international peace and security.