International Relations and Global Security

Curriculum elaborated and course presented by

Prof. Alexander NIKITIN,

Director of the Center for Euro-Atlantic Security and

Professor of the Political Theory Department of the MGIMO University,

President Emeritus of the Russian Political Science Association

Introduction

Prerequisites

The course is elaborated for Master’s level students. It is expected that students entering this course already possess basic knowledge (terminology, concepts, methodology) in the thematic fields of political science and international relations. Course is designed mainly for foreign students, with emphasis onto the comparative analysis of Russian and foreign approaches and policies in the security and conflict resolution matters.

Summary of the course

The course examines four interconnected main thematic areas:

(1) structure, functions and activities of major international organizations in security area;

(2) theories, legal and political aspects of modern conflicts and wars;

(3) conflict resolution and peace-keeping practices;

(4) modern counter-terrorism political/legal concepts and practices;

(5) nuclear policies, nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.

Mainly, except for deeper historic introductions, the course analytical time frame is limited to last 20 years of modern history (1991-2011) connected with existence of post-soviet new independent states.

Learning objectives

-To provide acquaintance of the students with the modern international security threats, challenges, as well as national and international policies and mechanisms aimed to meet them;

-To extend comparative analysis of modern international organizations acting in security area (UN, OSCE, NATO, EU, CSTO, SCO, etc.) and their policies;

-To present typology, case studies and estimate practices of peace-keeping, peace enforcement and other types of operations in conflict areas by the international actors aimed at conflict intervention and conflict resolution;

-To introduce concepts, definitions, typologies of terrorism/counter-terrorism activities;

-To consider and analyze modern challenges of nuclear proliferation, status of nuclear armaments/disarmament and global efforts to minimize the risk of nuclear war;

-To comprehensively conceptualize the international security area within a frameworks of modern political science, international and humanitarian law, theories of international relations.

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Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students are expected to be well acquainted with and oriented in the modern terminology, concepts and practices of international security policies of the major states, including Russian Federation and other P5 and G8 powers, and of major international organizations.

The course is addressed to the students and professionals specializing in the fields of international relations, international security, international organizations, and international media.

Class work participation (40% of the final grade).

Class attendance is required. Unexcused absences will lower the participation grade.

Students are expected to regularly do the homework reading and study according to the lists of sources (books, documents, electronic resources) provided by the lecturer.

On seminars/ role games negotiations’ simulations students are expected to take active part at the discussion and produce good acquaintance with content of lectures, documents and respective literature.

First mid-course written test (10% of the final grade)

Second mid-course written test (10 % of the final grade)

Final Examination (40% of the final grade)

Oral examination based upon elaborated response by the student to one question from the first group and another question from the second group of pre-announced examination questions (see respective part of this curriculum) plus additional questions in case of improper or incomplete answers.

Course Structure and Content

№ / Topic / Lectures / Seminars / Homework / Total
1. / Terrorism/Counter-Terrorism: Political and Legal Aspects / 2 / 2 / 4
2. / Nuclear Weapons and NPT Regime / 2 / 2 / 4 / 8
3. / Major Disarmament Treaties / 2 / 2 / 4 / 8
4. / Iranian Nuclear Dossier / 2 / 1 / 3
5. / Challenge of the DPRK’s Nuclear Program / 2 / 1 / 3
6. / Global and Regional International Institutions in Security Field / 1 / 1 / 4 / 6
7. / UN Charter and Evolution of UN Peace Support Policies / 2 / 2 / 4
8. / NATO: Role in Conflict Areas / 2 / 2 / 4
9. / NATO-Russia Relations / 2 / 2 / 4
10. / Conflicts in Former Yugoslavia (Bosnia, Kosovo, etc.) and Interference of International Organizations / 1 / 1 / 2 / 4
11. / OSCE and European Union: Policy and Cases of Conflict Resolution Operations / 1 / 1 / 2 / 4
12. / Collective Security Treaty Organization: Instruments and Policies in Security Field / 2 / 2 / 4
13. / End of Post-Soviet Space and Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Debates on Security Functions / 2 / 2 / 4
14. / CIS Peace Operation in Tajikistan, and International Coalition Operations in Afghanistan / 2 / 2 / 4
15. / Russia/CIS Operations in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russian-Georgian War of 2008 / 2 / 2 / 4
16. / Trilateral Peace Operation in Moldova/Transnistria and “color revolutions” in CIS states / 1 / 1 / 2 / 4
17. / Final Examination / 8
Subtotal / 28 / 8 / 36 / 80

Questions for final examination

1st group of exam questions:

  1. UN principles of peace operartions (in UN Charter, as well as in modern UN documents)
  1. Typology of peace operations. Examples of types and variations of operations.
  1. Conflict in Tajikistan and peace operations in Central Asia.
  1. Conflict in South Ossetia/Georgia, peace-keeping operation in South Ossetia/Georgia, events and consequiences of the Russian-Georgian war of 2008.
  1. Conflict in Abkhazia/Georgia, peace-keeping operation in Abkhazia/Georgia, events and consequiences of the Russian-Georgian war of 2008.
  1. Conflict in Moldova/Transnistria and trilateral peace operation.
  1. Conflict in Bosnia and peace operations of the UN, NATO, EU in this region.
  1. Conflicts around Iraq and international coalitions of 1991 and 2003-2010.
  1. Conflict in Agfhanistan, legal and political aspects of presence of international coalitiojn in Afghanistan.
  1. Definitions of terrorism and legal aspects of fight against terrorism.

2nd Group of exam questions:

  1. Regional Security Organizations: their role, rights and responsibilities in conflict resolution
  1. Evolution of NATO's policy regarding conflicts.
  1. Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE/OSCE) and its rope in conflict resolution.
  1. Euroopean Union and its role in conflict resolution. Cases of EU operations.
  1. Commonwealth of independent States (CIS) and its conflict resolution efforts.
  1. Collective Secuirty Treaty and Shaghai Cooperation Organization functions, history, problems.
  1. Doctrinal documents of the Russian Federation : Russia's stand on military and conflict resolution policies.
  1. Modern threats and risks to the Non-Proliferartion of WMD regime.
  1. Basic disarmament treaties.
  1. Typology of conflicts and wars.

Course Topics Description

1. Terrorism/Counter-Terrorism: Political and Legal Aspects

History of Terrorism. Convention of League of Nations. 16 basic UN conventions on terrorist activities. UN Anti-criminal Committee’s definition of terrorism. EU and Council of Europe basic documents on terrorism. African Union Convention. League of Arab States Convention.

National laws on terrorism (USA, UK, Russia, etc.). International coordination of counter-terrorist activities. Main parameters of legal/political regulation of terrorist/counter-terrorist activities.

2. Nuclear Weapons and NPT Regime.

Invention of nuclear weapons and dangers of WMD. Concept of nuclear deterrence. Strategic, middle range and tactical weapons. Non-Proliferation Treaty and problems with the NPT regime. Missile Technologies Control Regime (MTCR).

IAEA and principles of its operation. Additional protocols and systems of IAEA inspections. Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Prospects for Fissile Materials Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT).

3. Major Disarmament Treaties

Logic of nuclear and conventional arms race/disarmament.

US-Soviet SALT negotiations and START-1 Treaty. Problems with START-2 and SORT treaties. Main parameters of the START-3.

ABM Treaty of 1972 and modern political difficulties with the new ABM systems. INF Treaty and its implementation. Conventional disarmament and CFE Treaty.

4. Iranian Nuclear Dossier.

Early post-war years cooperation between Western countries and Iran on nuclear issues. Change of policies after Iranian revolution of 1979. Russian cooperation with Iran on peaceful nuclear developments. IAEA suspicions and Western policies towards Iran. Problem of sanctions and inspections. Case of India-USA nuclear deal and its relevance to Iranian dossier.

5. Challenge of the DPRK’s Nuclear Program

Ideological roots of contradictions around divided Korean peninsula. Chains of nuclear and political cooperation: China-Pakistan-North Korea. Clandestine nuclear programs of DPRK. Withdrawal from the NPT. Nuclear and missile tests. IAEA conditions. Six-party talks and interests of world powers. Potential scenarios for denuclearization of Korean peninsula.

6. Global and Regional International Institutions in Security Field

Principles of decision-making on security issues in UN Security Council, General Assembly and in G-8 format. Regional security organizations under provisions of the Chapter 8 of the UN Charter. “Families” of regional security/political regional organizations on five continents. Relations between global and regional institutions, share of responsibilities and functions.

7. UN Charter and Evolution of UN Peace Support Policies

Principles for conflict mediation and “soft peace-keeping” in Chapter 6 of the UN Charter. Principles for coercive peace-enforcement in Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. Mixed formats (operations ”Six-and-a-Half” and “Seven-and-a-Half”).

Commission on Sovereignty and Conflicts and “Responsibility to Protect” UN Report. UN Department of Peace Operations. Modern typology and statistics of peace operations. UN lessons learned from engagements in conflicts.

8. NATO: Role in Conflict Areas.

Evolution of NATO’s role in post-Soviet period. NATO’s enlargement policy and conflicts. Rome Declaration, Lisbon summit Strategic concept. NATO’s role in former Yugoslavia. NATO’s role in international operations in Afghanistan. NATO operation in Libya. Rules and exceptions. International debates on responsibilities and methods of NATO’s involvements into conflicts.

9. NATO-Russia relations.

Dynamics of NATO-Russia relations in post-Soviet period. Crises in relations in 1999 and 2008. Two “editions” of NATO-Russia Council and principles of its operation. Principles for potential strategic partnership between Russia and the NATO. Interaction of Afghanistan. Prospects for joint conflict resolution policy and necessity for coordinated conflict response. Internal debates in Russia on ideological/political aspects of relations with the NATO.

10. Conflicts in Former Yugoslavia (Bosnia, Kosovo, etc.) and Interference of International Organizations

Collapse of former Yugoslavia and conflicts of early 1990s. UN and NATO interaction on operations in Bosnia. Russia’s involvement in joint NATO-Russian peace-keeping in Bosnia under the UN mandate.

Problematic Russian-Western cooperation on conflict resolution in Kosovo. Crisis in relations, Russian withdrawal from Kosovo. Political parallels between debates around non-recognized states of former Yugoslavia and in post-Soviet space.

11. OSCE and European Union: Policy and Cases of Conflict Resolution Operations

CSCE/OSCE as a universal interstate organization for Eurasia. Results and weaknesses of the OSCE policies. Conflict Prevention Center in Vienna. OSCE summit in Kazakhstan (2010).

European Union in search of European security and defense identity. Failure of initial attempts to create EU joint military forces. Creation of EU Rapid Reaction contingents (CJTFs). EU participation in 14 operations on 3 continents.

12. Collective Security Treaty Organization: Instruments and Policies in Security Field

Collective Security Treaty of 1992 and basic principles of security cooperation between the new independent states. Stages of political-military integration. CIS Military Cooperation Coordination Staff. CIS / CSTO comparative study.

Institutionalization of CSTO in 2002-2003. Dilemma of working with “new” and “old” security challenges. Impasse in CSTO-NATO relations. Achievements and problems of CSTO policies on various directions.

13. End of Post-Soviet Space and Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Debates on Security Functions

Creation of competing integrative schemes on post-Soviet space. Multi-vector policies of most of the NIS. Re-configuration and erosion of post-Soviet space.

Creation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization on the basis of system of negotiations over the borders. Interests of Russia, China and Central Asian states regarding SCO. SCO “enlargement” (observers and partners). Erosion of SCO’s functions: from security to general social-economic cooperation. CSTO / SCO comparative study.

14. CIS Peace Operation in Tajikistan, and International Coalition Operations in Afghanistan

Civil war in Tajikistan and CIS peace operation in 1992-2000. UN observer’s role. Tajik Peace accords of 1997 and their implementation.

Russian involvement in Afghanistan in 1979-1989. Regime of Taliban and preventive creation of the CIS Collective Rapid Response Forces in 2000. US and UN operations on Afghanistan. Political aspects of the western coalition actions in Afghanistan. Role of Russia and CSTO in course of 2001-2011 operation and coordination of roles for the post-coalition Afghanistan after 2014.

15. Russia/CIS Operations in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russian-Georgian War of 2008

Civil wars and revolutions in South and in North Caucasus in the 1990s. Chechen war and conflicts in Georgia. Russian-Georgian interstate agreements of 992 and trilateral operation in South Ossetia. CIS mandate and operation in Abkhazia.

Georgian operation of restoring control over Ajaria. Tensions of 2007-2008 and 5-days Russian-Georgian war of 2008. Reactions of NATO, EU, UN, CSTO, CIS. International-legal aspects of the Russian-Georgian war.

16. Trilateral Peace Operation in Moldova/Transnistria and “color revolutions” in CIS states

Civil war in Moldova in early 1990s and Russian-Moldavian interstate agreement of 1992. Trilateral operation in Transnistria. Later role of EU and OSCE. Modern scenarios of conflict resolution for Moldova/Transnistria.

“Color” revolutions in Ukraine, Georgia, Kirgizstan and their political implications. Recent upgrade of crisis response coordination mechanism within the CSTO (2010-2011).

Documents and Literature

  1. The United Nations Today (Basic facts About the United Nations). – UN: NY, 2011. – 388 p.
  2. The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook 2010. – UN: NY, 2011. – 518 p.
  3. Intergovernmental Negotiations and Decision Making at the United Nations: A Guide. – UN: NY, 2009. – 172 p.
  4. International Instruments Related to the Prevention and Suppression of International Terrorism. – UN: NY, 2009. – 452 p.
  5. World Religions and Norms of War. – UN: NY, 2009. – 352 p.
  6. SIPRI Yearbook on Disarmament. – Stokholm, 2011. – 1052 p.
  7. CSTO: Responsible Security. Report by I.Jurgens, A.Nikitin, Yu.Nikitina, S.Kulik. – INSOR: Moscow, 2011. – 62 p.
  8. Lessons to be Learned from Non-Proliferation Failures and Successes. Ed. by A.Nikitin. - Amsterdam, Berlin, Oxford, Tokyo, Washington (DC): IOS Press, 2009.
  9. Nuclear Doctrines and Strategies. Ed. by M.Fitzpatrick, A.Nikitin, S.Oznobishchev. – Amsterdam, Berlin, Oxford, Tokyo, Washington (DC): IOS Press, 2008.
  10. A.Nikitin. Russian Foreign Policy in Fragmented Post-Soviet Space. – In: International Journal on World Peace, June 2008, vol. XXV No.2, pp.7-31
  11. International Security Organizations in Eurasia: Rivalry and Cooperation. – Ed. by A.Nikiitn and A.Kazantsev. – Moscow: MGIMO, 2009. – 187 p.

Relevant Web-resources of international organizations

  1. The United Nations

а) Official Portal of the United Nations

б) Charter of the United Nations

(Устав ООН нарусскомязыке -

в) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10,1948

(на русском -

  1. European Union

а) Official Portal of the European Union

б) Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, signed at Lisbon, 13 December 2007

в) Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2010/C 83/02)

г) Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

as amended by Protocols No. 11 and No. 14. Rome, 4.XI.1950

  1. Организация Договора о коллективной безопасности

а) Официальный сайт Организации Договора о коллективной безопасности

б) Устав Организации Договора о коллективной безопасности

в) Договор о коллективной безопасности

г) Соглашение о правовом статусе Организации Договора о коллективной безопасности

  1. North Atlantic Treaty Organization

а) Official Website of North Atlantic Treaty Organization

б)WashingtonTreatyandAssociatedDeclarations, Resolutions and Protocols

в) Active Engagement, Modern Defence. Strategic Concept for the Defence and Security of the Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. 19 November 2010.

  1. Шанхайская организация сотрудничества

а) Официальный портал Шанхайской организации сотрудничества

б) Шанхайская конвенция от 15 июня 2001 года

в) Декларация о создании Шанхайской организации сотрудничества от 15.06.2001 года)

г) Хартия Шанхайской организации сотрудничества от 07 июня 2002 года

  1. Содружество независимых государств

а) Официальный сайт Исполнительного комитета Содружества Независимых Государств

а.2) Интернет-портал Содружества Независимых Государств

б) Соглашение о создании Содружества Независимых Государств

в) Устав Содружества Независимых Государств

г) Алма–Атинская декларация от 21 декабря 1991 года

  1. League of Arab States

а) League of Arab States OfficialWebsite

б) The Alexandria Protocol; October 7,1944

в) Pact of the League of Arab States, March 22, 1945

  1. Organization of Islamic Cooperation:

а) OrganizationofIslamicCooperationOfficial Website [the link is not working currently]

б) Website of the OrganizationofIslamicCooperation Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York

в) Charter of theOrganization of the Islamic Conference, March 14, 2008

Resources on Conflicts and Conflict Resolution

  1. Libya:

Center for StrategicInternational Studies. The Libyan Uprising: An Uncertain Trajectory. Varun Vira and Anthony H. Cordesman, Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy. Final Draft: 20 June 2011.

International Crisis Group. Popular Protest in North Africa and the Middle East (V): Making Sense of Libya. Middle East/North Africa Report N°107 – 6 June 2011

Report of the White House. United Stated Activities in Libya. June 15, 2011

  1. Afghanistan:

Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan. Report to Congress in accordance with section 1230 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181), as amended. April 2010

Congressional Research Service. Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy. Kenneth Katzman, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs. July 25, 2011

International Crisis Group. Aid and Conflict in Afghanistan. Asia Report N°210 – 4 August 2011

Afghanistan: Negotiating Peace. The Report of The Century Foundation. International Task Force on Afghanistan in Its Regional and Multilateral Dimensions. The Century Foundat ion Press, New York. Lakhdar Brahimi and Thomas R. Pickering, Task Force Co-Chairs

Афганистан. ВзглядсСевера. Дмитрий Тренин, Алексей Малашенко. Московский Центр Карнеги, июль 2010 года

  1. Pakistan:

Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs. Composite Report of Pugwash Consultations on Pakistan. June – October 2009, March 2010. Pugwash Project on South Asia Dialogue

Pakistan: Violence vs. Stability. A National Net Assessment. By Anthony H. Cordesman, Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy and Varun Vira. Final Draft: 7 June 2011. Center for Strategic and International Studies

  1. Iraq:

Congressional Research Service. Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights. Kenneth Katzman. Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs. July 15, 2011

Post-War Iraq: Foreign Contributions to Training, Peacekeeping, and Reconstruction. Congressial Research Service Report for Congress. Jeremy M. Sharp and Christopher M. Blanchard, Analysts in Middle Eastern Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division. Updated September 25, 2007

  1. Central Asia:

International Crisis Group. Tajikistan: The Changing Insurgence Threat. Asia Report N°205 – 24 May 2011

International Crisis Group. The Pogroms in Kyrgyzstan. Asia Report N°193 – 23 August 2010.

  1. Former Yugoslavia:

Macedonia: Ten Years After the Conflict. Europe Report N°212 – 11 August 2011. International Crisis Group

North Kosovo: Dual Sovereignty in Practice. Europe Report N°211 – 14 March 2011. International Crisis Group

  1. Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia:

European Parliament. Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union. Directorate B - Policy Department - Note. The Consequences of the South Ossetia War. First Tentative Conclusions.

Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia. Report (Volume I, Volume II, Volume III) 2009

BostonUniversity International Law Journal. Volume 28, Number 1, Spring 2010. The Russo-Georgian War of 2008: Developing the Law of Unauthorized Humanitarian Intervention After Kosovo. Gregory Hafkin

The Russia-Georgia Conflict in August 2008: Context and Implications for U.S. Interests. Jim Nichol, Specialist in Russian and Eurasian Affairs. March 3, 2009. Congressional Research Service.

The Tanks of August / Mikhail Barabanov, Anton Lavrov, Vyacheslav Tseluiko. Moscow, Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, 2010 (in English)