Contemporary Issues in International Security

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Classroom

I. The concept of security – an introduction.

II. Traditional realm of security – traditional threats and evolution of international security order. Legal framework for the use of force international security

III. Multilateral responses: collective security systems (universal and regional)

IV. Collective defence institutions - alliances and coalitions)

V. Asymmetric threats – the concept

VI. Terrorism as an asymmetric security threat

VII. Organised crime as an asymmetric security threat

VIII. Problems of cybersecurity

IX. Contemporary armed conflicts. Technology and war

X. Peace operations and conflict reconciliation

XI. Interventionism (incl. humanitarian interventions, Responsibility to Protect - R2P, counterinsurgency)

XII. Arms control (disarmament, arms limitation and reduction, WMD non-proliferation; export control)

XIII. New problems of the Int’l Security (energy, environment/climate, pandemic and migrations as a security issues)

I. The concept of security – an introduction (defining a security; main dimensions of security, main categories and classifications, evolution of understanding security in international relations, particularly since 1945, contemporary understanding of security in light of four main IR paradigms - realism, liberalism, constructivism, critical studies).

II. Traditional realm of security – traditional threats and evolution of international security order (model of balance of power – main types and manifestations, role of the alliances, issue of the balancer; League of Nations as the first collective security system). Legal framework for use of force: fundamental principles, issue of (armed) aggression (definition and understanding), admissibility of preventive and preemptive use of force.

III. Multilateral responses: collective security systems (universal and regional): idea and logic of collective security system, UN – organization, mechanisms, deficiencies and strength, regional collective security systems (AU, OAS), including cooperative security organisations (OSCE)

IV. Collective defence institutions - alliances and coalitions - definitions, types, mechanisms of creation and disintegration, main problems in functioning of alliances; NATO – Genesis, membership, specificity, organisational structures. NATO multinational military assets, strategic concept, expeditionary missions, main problems and challenges (incl. concept of Smart Defense); EU/CSDP as a security community- genesis, evolution, current capabilities and assets. CSDP missions

V. Asymmetric threats – the concept - roots and the essence of the concept; relevance for contemporary international security

VI. Terrorism as an asymmetric security threat - definitions and main categories, evolution in three dimensions: level of motivation/justification (ideological base) of terrorism; organisation and financing; operational aspects; assessment of current relevance for international security

VII. Organised crime as an asymmetric security threat - definitions and specificity as a security threat; evolution on organisational and operational level; strategic relevance

VIII. Problems of cybersecurity - definitions, specificity of activities in cyberspace, IT technologies as a weapon and as a "force multiplier", security problems in cyberspace - cybeattacks and cybethreats (state and non-state actors - i.e. terrorists, criminals, hackers, hacktivists and others); problem of disinformation; issue of privacy in cyberspace as a security problem

IX. Contemporary armed conflicts. Technology and war. Crisis, armed conflict, war – main terms and categories; armed conflicts after Cold War – statistical overview; contemporary armed conflicts – main characteristics; impact of technology on war (Revolution in Military Affairs, privatisation of conflicts; hybridization of conflicts)

X. Peace operations and conflict reconciliation - definitions, typologies, genesis and evolution; contemporary peace operations - statistical overview, main characteristics and problems (i.e. resource availability; SEA - sexual exploitation and abuse)

XI. Interventionism (incl. humanitarian interventions, Responsibility to Protect - R2P, counterinsurgency) - roots of liberal interventionism (incl. Democratic peace theory); issue of humanitarian intervention; genesis and main principles of R2P; evolution on contemporary interventionism; problems of peace/state-building and counterinsurgency practices

XII. Arms control (disarmament, arms limitation and reduction, WMD non-proliferation; export control) - genesis, main treaties and regimes on WMD (nuclear - NPR, CTBT, TPNW, other; biological - BTWC; Chemical - CWC; conventional weapons - CCW, APM, CCM, other); idea of CSBM and export control measures; main challenges for arms control - issue of verification; non-compliance; erosion of current arms control infrastructure

XIII. New problems of the Int’l Security (energy, environment/climate, pandemic and migrations as a security issues) - reasons of current relevance, main forms and manifestations; interdependencies in non-military threats assessment of the impact on international security and ways of response

- M. D. Cavelty, V. Mauer (ed.): The Routledge Handbook of Security Studies, London-New York 2012 (or next editions)

- J.S. Nye, Jr., Understanding International Conflicts. An Introduction to Theory and History, New York 2007.

- J. Baylis et al., Strategy in the Contemporary World: An Introduction to Strategic Studies, OUP 2007.

- M. Madej (ed.), Western military interventions after the Cold War. evaluating the wars of the West, Routledge 2019.

- SIPRI Yearbook. Armaments, disarmaments and international security (last two editions)

- Military Balance, IISS, London (last two editions available)

- defines the concept of security and knows the differences in its understanding within different paradigms of studies on international relations/international security; has knowledge about basic problems in the realm of international security; understands key theoretical concepts in the international security research

- is aware of existence of key international security institutions, with the particular attention given to collective security institutions like the UN and collective defense institutions like NATO, and is capable of characterizing their activities; knows basic legal principles regulating international relations in security realm

- is aware of the specificity and forms of current use of force in international relations, including armed conflicts and other forms of organized violence, and can recognize and analyse their roots, conduct and implications, including to societies involved and international community

- knows basic trends in evolution of international security, including changes in the area of threats and challenges as well as the international responses to them

- is capable of conducting research of current international security issues; is capable of resolving basic research problems in the realm of international security

- is ready to fulfill professional duties that require knowledge about international security

attendance (10%); written exam at the end of the course (90%): three parts: 1. multiple choice questions; 2. semi-open questions (in form of short - one word/phrase - answers); 3. open question (short essay on the issue chosen from the selection o three). The student could upgrade his final score (one grade up) by preparation of the presentation on selected issue included in the scope of the course, after agreeing it with the lecturer

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