World Affairs Glossaries
SAARC and South Asian Regionalism Introduction The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the principal formal regional organization associated with South Asia. SAARC was established through the signing of its Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985. Its current membership comprises eight states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka….
ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Institutions Introduction The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a major regional organization in Southeast Asia and an important institutional centre of the wider Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regional order. ASEAN’s approach to regional cooperation emphasizes sovereignty, non-interference, consultation, consensus and peaceful settlement of disputes. These principles are commonly associated with the…
NATO and European Security Introduction NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a political and military alliance established in 1949 around the principle of collective defence. Its central strategic concept is that an armed attack against one Ally can trigger a collective response by the Alliance. NATO’s decision-making is based on consensus, meaning that decisions…
European Union and European Institutions Introduction The European Union (EU) is a unique regional political and economic organization created through a long process of European integration. It combines elements of intergovernmental cooperation with significant forms of supranational decision-making. The EU has developed institutions that exercise authority in areas transferred to the European level by its…
Critical Minerals and Strategic Resources Introduction Critical minerals are minerals or mineral-based materials considered especially important to an economy, national security, technological development, energy systems, or industrial production because their supply may be vulnerable to disruption. The exact list of critical minerals differs among countries because criticality depends on national economic structures, industrial priorities, strategic…
Resources, Energy and Geoeconomics Introduction Natural resources and economic capabilities are important sources of international power. States depend on energy, minerals, food, water, technology and industrial inputs to sustain their economies and national security. Geoeconomics examines how economic instruments are used to pursue geopolitical and strategic objectives. It connects economic power with international competition. Energy…
Chokepoints, Corridors and Strategic Locations Introduction Some geographical locations have importance far beyond their physical size. A narrow strait can affect global energy markets, a canal can shorten major trade routes, a port can connect an entire region to international commerce, and a mountain pass can determine access between territories. These locations are commonly described…
Land Power, Sea Power and Air Power Introduction Land power, sea power and air power represent three traditional dimensions of military power. Each is associated with a distinct geographical domain and offers different advantages in the pursuit of national security objectives. Land power is primarily concerned with controlling territory and influencing events on land. Sea…
Geostrategy and Strategic Geography Introduction Geostrategy refers to the strategic use of geography in the pursuit of political, economic and military objectives. While geopolitics examines the relationship between geography and power, geostrategy is more concerned with how states use geographical advantages and manage geographical constraints. Strategic geography identifies geographical features that have importance for national…
Geopolitics: Core Concepts Introduction Geopolitics is the study of how geography influences international politics, state power, strategic behaviour and relations among states. It examines how factors such as location, territory, borders, population, resources, access to seas, mountains, rivers and strategic routes shape the interests and behaviour of states. Geopolitics does not mean that geography determines…
Emerging Strategic Weapons and Technologies Introduction Technological change is transforming the character of strategic competition. Traditional nuclear strategy focused heavily on nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, submarines and strategic bombers. Contemporary strategic competition increasingly involves cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, hypersonic weapons, space systems, advanced missile defences, directed-energy technologies and other emerging capabilities. These technologies…
NPT, CTBT and Nuclear Institutions Introduction The global nuclear order is supported by a network of treaties, organizations, safeguards, export-control arrangements and diplomatic mechanisms. Among the most important elements are the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the NPT, and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, commonly known as the CTBT. The NPT…
Nuclear Disarmament and Arms Control Introduction Nuclear disarmament refers to the reduction and eventual elimination of nuclear weapons. Arms control refers to negotiated or unilateral measures designed to regulate, limit, reduce, manage or increase transparency concerning weapons and military capabilities. The two concepts are related but are not identical. Disarmament has an ultimate objective of…
Nuclear Proliferation and Non-Proliferation Introduction Nuclear proliferation refers to the spread of nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons capabilities or the capacity to develop such weapons from one state or actor to another. Nuclear non-proliferation refers to international efforts to prevent the further spread of nuclear weapons and associated capabilities. The proliferation problem has several dimensions. States…
Nuclear Deterrence and Strategic Stability Introduction Nuclear deterrence refers to the use of nuclear capabilities, or the threat of their use, to prevent an adversary from taking unacceptable military action. The central idea is that an adversary will refrain from attacking when it believes that the expected consequences of doing so will be greater than…
Proxy War and Asymmetric Warfare Introduction Proxy war and asymmetric warfare are important concepts in contemporary international security. Both involve situations in which conventional military capabilities, political objectives and methods of warfare differ significantly among the participants. A proxy war occurs when an external state or other powerful actor supports a local or regional actor…
Insurgency, Counterinsurgency and Terrorism Introduction Insurgency, counterinsurgency and terrorism are related but distinct concepts within conflict and security studies. An insurgency is an organized campaign challenging established political authority. Counterinsurgency refers to the political, military, economic and social efforts undertaken to defeat or contain an insurgency. Terrorism is a method of political violence involving the…
Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Introduction Conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution describe different approaches to dealing with disputes and violent conflicts. Conflict prevention seeks to prevent violence from occurring or escalating. Conflict management seeks to limit violence and control its consequences. Conflict resolution seeks to address underlying causes and relationships in ways that…
Peacekeeping, Peacemaking and Peacebuilding Introduction Peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding are related but distinct approaches to preventing violence, ending armed conflict and establishing sustainable peace. Peacekeeping generally seeks to maintain peace and prevent renewed violence after or during an agreement. Peacemaking focuses on diplomatic efforts to bring conflicting parties toward a settlement. Peacebuilding addresses the deeper…
Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Strategy Introduction Nuclear weapons and nuclear strategy occupy a central position in international security because of the extraordinary destructive capability of nuclear weapons and their implications for deterrence, strategic stability, arms control and international politics. Nuclear strategy concerns how states develop, deploy and communicate nuclear capabilities and how they seek to…