Are Regional Organisations best suited to manage security threats in their own geographical area?
Introduction:
Since the end of the Second World War there has been a constant growth of regional organisations military, political and economic. The process of decolonization at the end of the 2nd World War has accelerated this growth. Today there are more then 50 regional organizations with various aims and objectives from NATO to ASEAN, Arab League to SAARC, ECOWAS, AU, OAS are just to name a few. If we look from an idealist perspective the world is much better place then the last century as there is no competing superpower for rivalry. Regional Organisations certainly could have positive impact on managing security threats in their own geographical area. NATO is an excellent example while other organizations may have different outcome according to their capabilities and expectations.
Samuel Huntington characterized the current global power structure as ‘’uni-multipolar’’ which means one superpower and several major powers. (Foreign Affairs, Mar/Apr 99 p37) This is a very important fact for consideration in security studies. With the end of the cold war and the collapse of the Soviet Union the strategic landscape of the world has dramatically changed. Ethnic conflicts, civil wars, territorial wars, failed states, challenges to dictatorship, political fragmentation has all altered the security landscape.
Not all states are heard at International Forums such as the UN, nor can they seek justice or rely on alliance system any longer, therefore regional organisations provide an opportunity to debate issues concerned, building confidence and certainly reduce and defuse tensions.
The Term Paper on The Cold War And The New World Order
The Cold War and the New World Order (1) It would not be an exaggeration to say that Gold War served as metaphysical foundation, upon which international relations were based, from the time of Churchills famous Fulton speech in 1946, to 1991, when Soviet Union has painlessly ceased to exist. One month prior to committing suicide in his bunker, Hitler had prophesied: With the defeat of the Reich ...
In order to answer this questions effectively I shall be looking at the (1) evolution of regional organizations since 1945 and their motivations for creation, (2) what are the security threats faced by different regions, (3) brief history and the roles played by different organisations in managing security threats in their own geographical area together with their capabilities and expectations and finally (4) look into their successes and failures so to conclude if they are suited to manage security threats in their own geographical area.
The evolution of regional organisation can be traced back to Article 21 of the Covenant of the League of Nations which noted the validity of regional understanding for securing the maintenance of peace and are consistent with the purpose and principles of the United Nations. Over the last century different types of regional organizations has evolved some are security focused such as NATO, OSCE, ASEAN Regional Forum while others such as Arab League, OAS, AU, SADC, ECOWAS has significant security dimensions. Since the question is concerned with security I shall try to bring into debate or discussion only organisations that are mainly concerned with the subject concerned although spill over to other areas are inevitable.
Most of the regional organisations ultimate goals are peace and security some are more focused while others are less.
The motivation or purpose of creating regional organisations is many. Pursuit of particular interest by states gave rise to the establishment of regional organisations. This interest may be the enhancement of states security, advancing national economic development, raising the economic and social well being of states citizens, managing economic interdependence in the world, participating in the exploration, marketing and pricing raw materials. Another important interest pursued through the creation of regional organisation may be the enhancement of influence of states by building a coalition through membership in a security oriented regional organization i.e. SCO, NATO, ECOWAS are good example.
The Essay on Wrestling Regionals Round State
Wrestling Ready, wrestle. This is what the ref. says to start the match. Wrestling is my favorite sport. It's so fun to get nervous and try to guess what sort of technique and moves my opponent will use. I like school wrestling, but mat club and wrestling at big tournaments is even better. I don't like school wrestling because you don't see all the good kids wrestle, like the state champions and ...
The development of regional organisations is one of the most striking features of international relations in the 20th and now 21st century. The number of states has grown dramatically as a result of decolonization so as the number of conflicts. Increased co-operation, co-ordination and harmonization of policy across state boundaries resulting in the creation of permanent regional organisations suggesting both the development of some kind of international consciousness and also the mobility of elites to either domestic or international relations effectively in the absence of joint actions.
The growth of regional organisation is a clear indication of internationalisation of social life since 1945. The modern states are incapable of meeting the complex and diverse demands of its citizens without the resort of co-operative endeavours. Therefore regional organisations should be viewed from the perspective of global political and social change instead of being conceived as idealistic responses to the problem of security only.
Before discussing the different roles played by regional organisations in managing security, it is important to look at the different types of security threats faced by different regional organisations, even though security threat is a common term given. With the demise of the cold war and changing security landscape, the problem of security varies from regions to regions. In Latin America narcotics trafficking, criminal gangs, organised crime, weapons and illicit drugs sales are major security issues. In Africa civil and ethnic wars, territorial disputes are widespread. In Asia ideology, water, territorial disputes are prominent. In Europe terrorism, drug trafficking, immigration, cyber security are major issues after the ethnic war in the former Yugoslavia. In the Middle East Arab-Israeli conflict is prominent followed by regime security especially with the arrival of Arab Spring. So these are a few examples of security dilemma for different regions and different regional organisations.
Now let’s look at the roles played by different organisations in managing security threats in their geographical areas. Firstly I will be looking at the NATO followed by ASEAN, GCC and the ECOWAS.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was created following the end of the 2nd World War. The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in April 1949 in Washington initially ratified by 12 member state to keep peace in Europe. NATO has been one of the longest-lived military alliance and most successful in securing peace during and after the cold war era in Europe and now beyond its geographical area. Today NATO has some 27 member states and continues to expand beyond expectations. In recent years NATO has played very active role in the former Yugoslavia to bring the war to an end. NATO’s operations were expanded beyond its geographical areas including Afghanistan, Libya, Kosovo and Eastern Europe. The disintegration of the Warsaw Pact and Soviet Union inevitably affected NATO’s orientation and caused a search for new missions and peacekeeping is one of them. (Sutterlin p125, 2003) NATO’s main responsibility was to deal with threats to its member states, not to restore peace within non-member states. But UN was incapable of bringing peace in the former Yugoslavia so turned to NATO for assistance.
The Term Paper on The Need for Information Security Management for Small to Medium Size Enterprises
Defending Against Internet-Based Attacks8 Industrial Espionage and Business Intelligence Gathering9 Personnel Issues in Information Security9 Physical Security Issues in Information Security10 Cyber Forensic Incident Response10 Conclusion11 References11 Abstract Small to Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) contribute greatly to the economy in many countries despite the many challenges that they face. ...
Why NATO was successful in the former Yugoslavia? This is primarily because NATO has the advantage of the largest military capability and standing army in the world. Secondly there was a political will to act and above all the conflict in the former Yugoslavia could have security implications for NATO member states because of the geographical proximity. Capability and determination are important factors in NATO’s success. As long as NATO is led by strong member state like the USA the future seems to be bright for the organisation.
Now I want to look at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a regional organisation in managing security threats in their geographical area. The ASEAN was formed on 8th August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand and were later joined by Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. ASEAN cover a land area of 3% of the earth, 8.8% of world population and a combined GDP of $1.8 trillion ranking as the 9th largest economy in the world. (Source: www.weakepeadia.com).
In 1994 ASEAN set out its vision for long-term security with the creation of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
The Term Paper on Human Security
1. INTRODUCTION This report has been drafted as individual term paper for the subject International Relations at Rangsit University. Its purpose is to explain the differences between traditional security and human security. Furthermore it is supposed to illustrate why human security is an essential component of international relations today. The paper begins with a short introduction; the 2nd ...
It aims to resolve conflicts by peaceful means and to pursue preventative diplomacy. The US, Russia, India, China, Japan and North Korea are among the ARF’s 23 members. A year later members signed the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty.
Nikolas Busse uses constructivist approach in understanding the ASEAN security policy. He looks at the ASEAN norms in analysing the security policy of the organisation rather then supporting the realist perspective on the Southeast Asian security. (Busse 1999) Constructivist approach may be correct in analysing ASEAN security as geography, ethnic identity, culture, religion and traditions all plays vital part in the security management of the region. He argues that human behaviour is driven by rules, norms, institution and identities. Although ASEAN is not a proclaimed security organisation as such but the rationale behind its founding was to stabilise the region. The ASEAN members agree on a code of conduct with clear relevance to regional security in its Associations Treaty of Amity & Co-operation. Article 2 of the document states four fundamental principles that shall guide the actions of the ASEAN members (1) respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity (2) non-interference in the internal affairs of others (3) settlement of disputes by peaceful means and (4) renunciation of the threat or use of force and as Busse argues these can be labelled the behavioural norms of the ASEAN. (www.asean.org).
Ayoob argues ‘’in essence, the behavioural norms of ASEAN were nothing but a strong commitment to the idea of sovereignty’’ (Ayoob 1995).The combined military capability of the ASEAN could match that of China but the expectation are limited. The success of ASEAN can be measured in a sense that member states did not fight each other and played an important role as a counterweight to communist Indo-China.
The Report on Why Be Concerned About Cyber-Security?
Introduction Cyber security became ever more crucial for global business and modern society. We are living in a data-centric world in which information technology and associated communications’ systems as well as networks that provide goods and services permeate every facet of our lives. This creates the safeguard of our digital assets and activities within cyberspace of critical importance, ...
Moving away from ASEAN in the next paragraphs I shall be looking at the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) which was formed in May 1981 bringing together all the Arab Monarchies of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This was primarily in response to the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 and the Iran-Iraq that started in 1980. These two events threatened the very survival of the Arab Gulf monarchies. GCC was a common front created out of necessity rather then a calculated rational initiative. (Koch p24, 2010) GCC as a regional security organisation has survived despite its inability to repel Iraqi aggression on Kuwait a fellow member state.
There has been positive development in the relations between GCC states in terms of economic integration, projects such as common market, common currency, joint venture such as the Gulf Air and an increased security co-operation.
The Gulf strategically and economically is the most valuable region in the world because it contains approximately 60% of the world proven oil reserve. (Ayoob p60, 1995) The GCC was created in a haste therefore the military capability to deter an Iraqi aggression was absent, and thereafter US assistance was sought to repel Iraqi aggression on Kuwait. Although GCC combined had the financial ability and military hardware, putting them together in combat readiness to repel aggression by a well armed neighbour is different matter altogether. The expectations were low as the region has been in constant turmoil since its inception. Lack of organisation and infancy of the institution are the main reasons for the failure of the GCC in managing security threat within its own geographical area. Regime security preceded priority of state security.
Moving away from Europe, Asia and the Middle East now I shall be looking at the important role played by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) a regional group of 15 countries founded on 28th May 1975 in seeking peace and stability within its geographical area. The continent of Africa was mainly colonised by Britain and France followed by the Dutch, Belgian and Italian to a lesser extent. The process of decolonisation resulted in the emergence of many new states which were politically and economically very weak, so the conflicts were rampant. There was more UN peacekeeping mission in the 1990’s then whole history of the UN before and after. Of the 34 mission 45% were in Africa. Out of the total 42 missions worldwide 81% were civil wars (Powers & Gary 2006).
The Term Paper on Security And Confidentiality
To improve security and confidentiality in the workplace, you should: • Not allow computer screens to be seen by unauthorised people • Ensure people can’t see confidential documents that aren’t meant for them • Log off your computer if it is unattended • Use computer passwords that are not easy to guess • Double check outgoing emails before you send them • Never gossip or share ...
ECOWAS was created for economic and social development of the region but they soon realised that these goals can only be achieved in an environment of peace and stability. (http://en.wikipedia.org)
In a meeting in Lagos (Nigeria) on 22nd April 1978 ECOWAS member states adopted a Protocol on Non-Aggression (PNA) which enjoined member states to ‘’refrain from the threat and use of force or aggression’’ against each other. A subsequent Protocol relating to Mutual Assistance on Defence (PMAD) was signed in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 29th May 1981 and became effective five years later. PMAD committed the ECOWAS member states to a collective defence treaty by accepting that armed threat or aggression against one constituted a threat or aggression against the community and resolved to give mutual aid and assistance for defence. (www.comm.ecowas.int)
During 1990’s ECOWAS played a very active role in securing peace in Liberia. ECOWAS Cease-Fire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) was adopted as the regional intervention force. ECOMOG intervention in Liberia prevented the overthrow of the government of President Samuel Doe. ECOMOG intervened in Sierra Leone in March 1991 which was later handed over to UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).
ECOMOG also played a lesser role in Guinea-Bissau to put down a rebellion at the request of President Viera. ECOWAS is currently taking an active part in recovering northern Mali from the Islamist fighters with the support of the UN. (www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa)
ECOWAS is primarily led by Nigeria the regional actor in West Africa. Given the size of the organisation and its capability it has succeeded its expectation comparing other regional organisation taking into consideration its peculiar geography and inheritance from decolonisation. Ethnic conflict in Rwanda resulted in the death of 800,000 people in the first 100 day of the war gives more impetus on the regional organisation to manage security regionally instead of waiting for UN resolutions and bureaucracy.
Conclusion:
Regional organisations are no longer debate chambers. Today regional organisations plays very important role in confidence building between member states, reduces tensions, establishes co-operation and co-ordination and prevents conflicts directly and indirectly. Except for NATO, ex-Warsaw Pact, CSTO, OSCE, SCO rest of the regional organisations started with economic development and social programmes. Since economic development and social justice are interconnected with peace and security, therefore the ultimate goals are attaining peace and security of all organisations regardless of the stated aims and objectives. Since the inception of NATO there has been no war between member states and the same can be said for the rest of the organisations. One of the NATO’s conditions for membership is that aspiring state must bring peace and stability so it must resolve its conflicts before applying for membership. Similarly ASEAN asked Cambodia to end its conflict before joining its peace club.
Combined military capability of regional organisations are sufficient to repel external threats by any single state if there is a will to use them as NATO did in the former Yugoslavia successfully. The GCC’s inability to repel Iraqi aggression on Kuwait was a failure not because of resource constraint but because of lack organisation and the political will to use force. In addition Monarchies of the Gulf States were weak politically and regime survival was more of a priority then repelling Iraqi aggression.
Despite limited resource and capability comparing to other regional organisations ECOWAS could be said to have succeeded in its expectation in attaining peace in West Africa and continues to play an active role in managing security threats as NATO in its own geographical area.
Since the treaty of Westphalia, security has been dominated by power structure defined from the realist perspective of balancing one power against another. The concept of formulating regional security policy has to be changed. If states transcend from the realist mindset and adopt more of an idealist approach, regional organisations are very likely to succeed in managing security threats in their own geographical area therefore they are the most suited for the task. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in a joint declaration in Moscow in March 2010 accepted the CSTO as a regional security organisation. This proves that the growing importance of regional security organisations are widely realised and I believe my assessment has credibility.
Bibliography:
The Third World Security Predicament
State Making, Regional Conflict and International System By: Mohammed Ayoob 1995, Chapter 3, pages 59-65
The United Nations and the Maintenance of International Security
Challenges to be met 2nd Edition By: James S Sutterlin 2003
Security Studies An Introduction
Edited By: Paul D. Williams 2nd Edition 2012, Chapter 24 By: Louise Fewcett page 371
The GCC AS A Regional Security Organisation
By: Christian Koch
KAS International Reports 2010 page 24 www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas
The UN Accepts CSTO as a Regional Security Organisation
Report by: Vladimir Socor
Eurasia Daily Monitor, Vol:7, Issue: 54, 19th March 2010
Regional Security Co-operation in the early 21st Century
By: Alyson J.K. Bailes and Andrew Cottey
SIPRI Year Book 2006. www.sipri.org/yearbook/2006/files
Constructivism and Southeast Asian Security
By: Nikolas Busse 1999, published by The Pacific Review. www.tandfonline.com/loi/rpre20
An Agenda for Peace, Preventive Diplomacy, Peacemaking and Peacekeeping
Report by UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali 17 June 1992 www.google.com
The Evolution of Regional Institutions (REI) into Security Institutions or The Demise of Realist Military Alliances? By Kathy Powers (The Penn State University) & Gary Geortz (Arizona State University) Oct 29, 2006.
Central American Regional Security Initiative
Background and Policy Issues for Congress
By: Peter J. Meyer and Clare R. Seelke Feb 21, 2012 www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/r41731.pdf
Regional Security Partners: The Potential for Collective Security
By: Col Thomas Smith, National War College Archive Copy 1999. www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) www.asean.org, www.weakepeadia.com
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS www.comm.ecowas.int (http://en.wikipedia.org)
The Lonely Superpower. By Samuel P. Huntington Foreign Affairs March/April 1999
