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Can we consider American policy in Afghanistan 1979-89 to have been a success?

By Andrew van Cuylenburg | Fri 26 Mar 2010
Categories: International Relations | Tags: Soviet-Afghan War, US

In this essay, Andrew van Cuylenburg looks to assess whether the current negative perception of American policy during the Soviet-Afghan War is justified. The first part assesses the quality of American policy, irrespective of any actual consequences. It identifies what US objectives were, how they were to be achieved, and whether the manner of execution was appropriate. This will, he hopes, allow for a more measured appreciation of American policy than one solely viewed through hindsight. The second part of this essay analyses the direct consequences of American policy, both short term and long term, in order to consider whether in light of its repercussions, both positive and negative, it can be considered a success. American policy, van Cuylenburg argues, was from the outset conceptually flawed, and whilst it is true that the September 11 attacks have blurred conceptions of the consequences of US actions during the conflict, by effectively ceding direct control over the management of the covert action Washington was indeed guilty of lazily and negligently acquiescing to the destabilisation and radicalisation of the region, and thus American policy must be considered a failure.

Does The International Community Have a Responsibility To Protect?

By Laura Stanworth | Thu 25 Mar 2010
Categories: International Relations | Tags: Africa, responsibility to protect

In this paper, Laura Stanworth begins by assessing the basic premise for, and the origins of, the doctrine of the responsibility to protect. As states within Africa have been used as case studies to highlight the importance of this rising doctrine, the paper then flows in to a brief discussion of why the cases have been limited in this way; concluding that in a continent fraught with civil war and unrest they provide an ample discussion basis. The case studies of Somalia, Rwanda and Sudan are then investigated in turn, each highlighting different difficulties that the international community has faced in deciding, not only whether or not to act, but how and when. For a more in depth and empirical debate, the paper then discusses the international legal principles and constraints that not only prevent states acting, but also enforce them to in limited circumstances. This is followed by a brief look at the theoretical surroundings of the doctrine and how these, alongside the practical and legal implications already discussed, will shape the future of the doctrine of the responsibility to protect. To conclude, it is established that even though states do have a responsibility to protect through a developing international norm, it is yet to be seen whether this will evolve in practice, or whether states will avoid acting for reasons of self-preservation.