Definition of ‘terrorism’

The definition of terrorism has been numerous and controversial at the same time. This essay will try and define the word ‘terrorism’ more clinically. Firstly, this essay will give background information of ‘terrorism’ and provide a definition which it believes is more clinical. Secondly, this essay will discuss the word ‘calculated’. Thirdly, the phrase ‘violence against non-belligerents’ will be discussed. Fourthly, the phrase ‘change the political, religious or other ideological landscape’ will be evaluated. Fifthly, the actors of the definition ‘individual, group or state’ will be assessed. Sixthly, the reasons for the exclusion of civilian, non-combatant, innocent, victim, illegal & illegitimate will be answered. Finally, a conclusion will be drawn. In each paragraph this essay will evaluate the strength and weakness and support it with relevant examples. Continue reading Definition of ‘terrorism’


British nuclear weapons: Do we really need them?

The interest of nuclear weapons in the UK has been revived due to the rise of Corbyn who does not believe in nuclear weapons, and because of MPs voting to renew trident at a cost of billions which could have been used to fund the NHS, or help the most vulnerable people in our society. Ultimately, the threat of North Korea and other hostile states trying to acquire nuclear weapons has fast streamed the nuclear weapons debate at the front of British political debate. Continue reading British nuclear weapons: Do we really need them?

The Pakistani Puzzle

Pakistan has for year’s maintained international denial when it comes to terrorism, denouncing it every time when the subject of terrorism pops up. However, secretly the Pakistani government has used terrorist groups that are based in Pakistan, in order to reach its strategic goal especially when it comes to Afghanistan. An example of Pakistan using a terrorist group to reach its strategic goal is Afghanistan, where they have been using the Taliban as a proxy against the old enemy, India. However, as Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, a former Pakistani ambassador to China, India and the US, has said “relying on the Taliban to provide leverage is demonstrably stupid”. Continue reading The Pakistani Puzzle

The enigma of North Korea

North Korea’s explosion of the hydrogen bomb had a magnitude of 6.3 which is by far the biggest the country has exploded, as measured by ‘The US Geological Survey’. The explosion has further increased tension in the area with both Japan and South Korea denouncing it as hostile. South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for the “strongest possible” response, including new UN Security Council sanctions to “completely isolate” the country as said by the BBC.  With North Korea repeatedly defying UN sanctions the UK,US,France, Japan and South Korea requested an emergency session of the Security Council after the test. Continue reading The enigma of North Korea

To what extent do nuclear weapons support international peace?

Some argue that nuclear weapons provide deterrence and this keeps states from attacking each other however, others argue that in an ever-increasing hostile world miscalculation can lead to nuclear war thus making the deterrence system useless. Nuclear weapons, some argue, are used for symbols of power which is why it has not been used since Nagasaki and Hiroshima however; others say that the rise of terrorist groups has increased the chances of them gaining their hands on these weapons thus making nuclear weapons dangerous. The theory of ‘balance of power’ has created stability and peace and has brought about nuclear statesmanship showing how nuclear weapons support international peace. But, the recent trend of states making useable nuclear weapons shows how dangerous these weapons can be. On the basis of points this essay raises it concludes that nuclear weapons ultimately supports international peace. Continue reading To what extent do nuclear weapons support international peace?