International Affairs

Prior to his death in May 2011, Osama bin Laden designed al-Qaeda to symbolize the globalization of terrorism in the twenty-first century. The network is perceived by many to represent a quintessential model for small groups of like-minded revolutionaries who wish to wage transnational insurgencies against strong adversaries. Although al-Qaeda certainly exists as a loose network of relatively independent cells, it has also evolved into an idea—an ideology and a fighting strategy—that has been embraced by sympathetic revolutionaries throughout the world. Al-Qaeda leaders such as the late Osama bin Laden and his successor as leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, consistently released public pronouncements of their goals, often by delivering audio and video communiqués to international news agencies such as Al Jazeera in Qatar. Based on these communiqués, the following principles frame the ideology of al-Qaeda:a The struggle is a clash of civilizations. Holy war is a religious duty and necessary for the salvation of one’s soul and the defense of the Muslim nation. Only two sides exist, and there is no middle ground in this apocalyptic conflict between Islam and the forces of evil. Western and Muslim nations that do not share al-Qaeda’s vision of true Islam are enemies. Violence in a defensive war on behalf of Islam is the only course of action. There cannot be peace with the West. Because this is a just war, many of the theological and legal restrictions on the use of force by Muslims do not apply. Because U.S. and Western power is based on their economies, large-scale mass-casualty attacks that focus on economic targets are a primary goal. Muslim governments that cooperate with the West and do not adopt strict Islamic law are apostasies and must be violently overthrown. Israel is an illegitimate nation and must be destroyed. These principles have become a rallying ideology for Islamist extremists who have few, if any, ties to al-Qaeda. Thus, the war on terrorism is not solely a conflict against an organization but is also a conflict against a belief system. Discussion Questions 1. What is the ideology of al-Qaeda? 2. Why did a network of religious revolutionaries evolve into a potent symbol of global resistance against its enemies? 3. Which underlying commonalities appeal to motivated Islamist activists?

Read Case Study, Reagan and 1984 Steel Negotiations. In 4-6 pages, respond to the following questions 1) What explains the decline in the U.S. steel industry, how did this happen, and who is to blame? 2) Briefly, what were the three earlier efforts to protect the U.S. steel industry? 3) Prepare a “policy paper” for President Reagan: – Defines what is the problem he faces and what are the looming deadlines? – Identifies his possible policy choices? – Recommends what you think is the best policy choice/option for the President, and why.

Thesis around the IMF quota system and regional emerging powers trying to gain more influence.  Some sources: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26227187?seq=1 https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/02/13/pr2050-imf-board-of-governors-approves-a-resolution-on-quota-reviews https://www.peio.me/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Conf7_Blomberg-Broz-26.08.2013.pdf https://www.piie.com/publications/policy-briefs/imf-quota-and-governance-reform-once-again https://cepr.org/sites/default/files/events/Geneva20.pdf https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/10/8/china-may-have-to-wait-to-become-second-most-powerful-at-imf https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TRADE-FINANCIAL-FRAGMENTATION-072120.pdf https://www.brookings.edu/blog/future-development/2019/07/01/the-governance-of-the-international-monetary-fund-at-age-75/ https://www.e-ir.info/pdf/78215  Special Issue: Is there a need for Reforms in IMF? merj.scholasticahq.com  https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/with-mysterious-u-turn-at-imf-india-seeks-to-limit-chinas-influence-in-global-governance-2681225.html https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6086?s=1&r=6

Assignment should be 10 to 12 pages (not including title page and bibliography), typed double-spaced in Times New Roman, 12-point font. Remember to us the Chicago Style Manual for all citations and bibliography. A minimum of 10 (10) scholarly sources are required for this assignment. Below are the required sections. Please include the section headings in red on your assignment. You are welcome to rearrange topics so your paper flows well. OVERALL THREAT ASSESSMENT/ANALYTICAL OPINION: How much of a threat does this non-state actor actually pose to your chosen nation-state, taking everything into consideration? Is the threat successful at exerting its influence? Is the nation-state’s response effective or ineffective? Topics: HISTORY: This is the section where you can discuss the history of the threat and your nation’s perception and response. Discuss why and how the threat came to be. Why did it become a threat? What was its initial motivation? What environmental/societal/economic/etc. factors contributed to its formation? MEMBERSHIP/LEADERSHIP: Who makes up the threat? Why do they participate? What is their motivation? Who are the leaders, if any? How effective are they? STRUCTURE/ORGANIZATION: How is the threat structured? Is there an organization? What is it? CURRENT GOAL/MOTIVATION: What is the current goal/motivation of the threat entity? What is it trying to achieve? Has it evolved since its formation? TACTICS/CAPABILITIES: What tactics does the threat employ? How capable is it? What weapons/tools does it use? FUNDING/CONNECTIONS: Where does the threat get funding? Supplies? Weapons? Does the threat have connections to any other organizations, nation-states, etc.? LOCATION/SCOPE/MAGNITUDE: Where does the threat operate? How broad in scope is the threat? Are they a regional threat or a global threat beyond the immediate threat to your nation-state? COUNTERING THE THREAT: How has the nation-state countered the threat? Also, please suggest possible ways to mitigate or counter the threat. Look at alternatives the nation-state could take to counter the threat. This is especially true if the nation’s responses are ineffective.

Being from the USA, describe how you would negotiate a contract with a businessperson from France. How will you approach them? How does the French communication pattern and listening habit differ from your own culture? Reading suggestions How does our Language Shape the Way We Think? (Boroditsky, 2009) When Cultures Collide – Bridging the Communication Gap (Lewis, 2005) – pp. 63-79 Richard Lewis Communication model (PDF) Communication Patterns at Multicultural Organizational Meetings The Role of Cultural Distance in International Negotiations International Negotiation Quiz http://www.leadershipcrossroads.com/rs_nqui.asp? Additional Resources Center for Intercultural Learning – Country Insights (WWW)

Liberalism, Economic Nationalism and Marxism have for decades been the central paradigms in international relations and International Political Economy (IPE). In no more than 1000 word explain how each of these perspectives can explain how countries may potentially respond to the negative implications that COVID-19 has on their domestic economies?  Students are expected to read widely enough to provide them with sufficient grounding to write a comprehensive submission. Students can cite 3 sources. No citations from electronic citations are accepted.

the nature of the democratic peace thesis how the democratic peace works (i.e., the factors that stops democracies from going to war with each other). (e.g., see Bruce Russett’s chapter in the textbook and some of his other texts on the reading list, esp. his book, Grasping the Democratic Peace) how robust are those mechanisms? If all states become democracies, does that mean war will be a thing of the past? (e.g., see Fukuyama’s book The End of History and the Last Man for such an optimistic reading) you should also consider some of the alternative positions (e.g., Geis et al’s work on the ‘dark side’ of the democratic peace or Russett’s reappraisal of his earlier work in ‘Bushwacking the Democratic Peace’ or Snyder and Mansfield’s work on the war prone nature of states transitioning to democracy – all of which argue that democracy or democratisation can cause war.)

In a paper 1,000-1,250 words, complete the following: 1. Explain cultural factors that influence the development of ethical relationships in or between cultures. 2. Evaluate the different perspectives on the ethics of developing, maintaining, or ending relationships in members of different cultural groups? 3. Explain how differing cultural values and norms may influence conflict styles. 4. Give specific illustrations that show different conflict styles of people from different cultures. 5. Project must have a minimum of five scholarly sources.

More about international policy and environmental policy. What governance system for the Arctic Ocean would you recommend that balances environmental protection, economic activity, and societal wellbeing, taking into account the needs of people in the region today (surrounding countries, their EEZ’s, as well as indigenous cultures) and the needs of future generations more broadly in the world? Keep in mind in the context of the Arctic Ocean, and other international transboundary regions, sustainable governance involves balancing international/national interests with regional/community interests.

TOPIC: U.S. relationship with Israel/Palestine early in history. Why did US take an interest in their affairs? What did they gain? what did Israel gain? Does religion play a key factor in the foreign affairs between US and the Israel/Palestine area? What is the current foreign policy held with the region? How has Trump’s Foreign policy been with the area? Is it different than other Presidents in the past? What are the key organizations that play a role in the Foreign Policy? (AIPAC Group) Research Paper Guidelines: MUST INCLUDE – History of US involvement in the area and surrounding areas past and present (only what is relevant to topic) – Particular themes – Autocratic leaders, surveillance, international law and organization, religious minorities or arms control