International Treaties and Long-standing Disputes
International treaties have played a significant role in attempts to resolve enduring conflicts, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict and the Kashmir issue.
Scope
- International treaties aim to establish frameworks for peace, security, and cooperation between conflicting parties.
- These treaties are often brokered by external powers or global organisations, providing legitimacy and support.
Key Theories in International Relations
- Realism suggests that power dynamics and state interests dominate negotiations, often hindering lasting solutions.
- Liberalism, on the other hand, highlights the potential of international institutions and cooperation to foster peace.
Global Governance and International Institutions
- The United Nations has been instrumental in facilitating peace talks and implementing resolutions regarding both conflicts.
- Resolutions such as UN Security Council Resolution 242 addressed the Israel-Palestine conflict, advocating for "land for peace."
- The Shimla Agreement (1972) established the principle that the Kashmir issue should be resolved bilaterally by India and Pakistan without third-party intervention.
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
- The Oslo Accords (1993) marked a key moment in Israeli-Palestinian relations, aiming for a two-state solution.
- Indian and Pakistani diplomats have engaged in numerous bilateral talks, including the Lahore Declaration (1999) and the Agra Summit (2001).
Geopolitics and Strategic Studies
- The Israel-Palestine conflict is influenced by geopolitical alliances, particularly with the United States backing Israel and various Arab states supporting Palestine.
- Kashmir remains a flashpoint in South Asia, with China's involvement further complicating its geopolitical landscape.
Conflict, Security, and Peacebuilding
- Both conflicts experience cycles of violence and ceasefires, with treaties often aiming to break these cycles.
- Peacebuilding initiatives around the Israel-Palestine issue, such as the Quartet (US, EU, UN, Russia), seek to provide a coordinated approach.
International Law and Human Rights
- International humanitarian law and human rights conventions play crucial roles in frameworks for resolution, with bodies like the International Criminal Court monitoring compliance.
- Both conflicts raise significant human rights concerns, including issues of displacement, state violence, and self-determination.
Emerging Issues in International Affairs
- New dynamics, such as climate change and global terrorism, are increasingly impacting the feasibility of long-term resolutions.
- Recent normalisation agreements between Israel and several Arab states (e.g., the Abraham Accords of 2020) may redefine approaches to these conflicts.
