Major Regional Conflicts

This section explores significant regional conflicts that have shaped international relations and geopolitical dynamics.

1. Russia-Ukraine War (2014-Present)

Scope: A conflict ignited by Russia's annexation of Crimea and the ongoing struggles in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Key Theories in International Relations: Realism emphasises power struggles, while constructivism examines national identities and historical grievances.
Global Governance and International Institutions: The conflict has prompted responses from NATO, the EU, and the UN, highlighting issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy: Ukraine has sought closer ties with the West, whereas Russia aims to reassert its influence over former Soviet territories.
Geopolitics and Strategic Studies: Geostrategic interests in Eastern Europe, energy dependence, and military alliances are critical to understanding this conflict.
Conflict, Security, and Peacebuilding: Ceasefire agreements, such as the Minsk Protocol, have been attempted but largely failed to establish lasting peace.
International Law and Human Rights: The conflict has raised concerns over violations of international law and the humanitarian situation in conflict zones.
Emerging Issues in International Affairs: Cyber warfare, disinformation campaigns, and the role of non-state actors are increasingly significant.

Scope: A multifaceted conflict involving various domestic groups, foreign powers, and non-state actors, resulting in massive humanitarian crises.
Key Theories in International Relations: Constructivism analyses the impact of identity politics, while neoliberalism views the need for cooperation in humanitarian response.
Global Governance and International Institutions: Agencies such as the UN have struggled to mediate effectively amid conflicting interests from powers like Russia and the US.
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy: The conflict has significantly influenced the foreign policies of regional actors, including Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
Geopolitics and Strategic Studies: Control over geographic territories and resources, such as oil, has shaped allegiances and conflicts within the region.
Conflict, Security, and Peacebuilding: Numerous attempts at peace talks and ceasefire agreements have failed, leading to an extended conflict.
International Law and Human Rights: Violations, including chemical weapon use and targeting of civilians, have raised serious legal and ethical concerns.
Emerging Issues in International Affairs: The growth of extremist groups, refugee crises, and the rise of regional powers complicate the situation further.

Scope: Triggered by Egypt's nationalisation of the Suez Canal, leading to military intervention by Israel, the UK, and France.
Key Theories in International Relations: Realist perspectives highlight the power dynamics and imperial interests of Western nations in the Middle East.
Global Governance and International Institutions: The crisis prompted increased discussion on the role of the UN and developments in international security norms.
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy: The incident marked a shift in British and French influence, with the US and USSR emerging as superpower mediators.
Geopolitics and Strategic Studies: The canal was a critical maritime route for trade, highlighting the geopolitical stakes involved in control over transportation routes.
Conflict, Security, and Peacebuilding: The conflict led to a UN peacekeeping mission, setting a precedent for future interventions.
International Law and Human Rights: The crisis sparked debates on colonialism and self-determination among post-colonial states.
Emerging Issues in International Affairs: It raised questions about international order and led to a re-evaluation of Western colonial legacies.