Contemporary Issues in International Security 2104-GPIR-D1COIS

I. The concept of security – an introduction (defining a security; main dimensions of security, main categories and classifications, evolution of understanding security in international relations, particularly since 1945, contemporary understanding of security in light of four main IR paradigms - realism, liberalism, constructivism, critical studies).
II. Traditional realm of security – traditional threats and evolution of international security order (model of balance of power – main types and manifestations, role of the alliances, issue of the balancer; League of Nations as the first collective security system). Legal framework for use of force: fundamental principles, issue of (armed) aggression (definition and understanding), admissibility of preventive and preemptive use of force.
III. Multilateral responses: collective security systems (universal and regional): idea and logic of collective security system, UN – organization, mechanisms, deficiencies and strength, regional collective security systems (AU, OAS), including cooperative security organisations (OSCE)
IV. Collective defence institutions - alliances and coalitions - definitions, types, mechanisms of creation and disintegration, main problems in functioning of alliances; NATO – Genesis, membership, specificity, organisational structures. NATO multinational military assets, strategic concept, expeditionary missions, main problems and challenges (incl. concept of Smart Defense); EU/CSDP as a security community- genesis, evolution, current capabilities and assets. CSDP missions
V. Asymmetric threats – the concept - roots and the essence of the concept; relevance for contemporary international security
VI. Terrorism as an asymmetric security threat - definitions and main categories, evolution in three dimensions: level of motivation/justification (ideological base) of terrorism; organisation and financing; operational aspects; assessment of current relevance for international security
VII. Organised crime as an asymmetric security threat - definitions and specificity as a security threat; evolution on organisational and operational level; strategic relevance
VIII. Problems of cybersecurity - definitions, specificity of activities in cyberspace, IT technologies as a weapon and as a "force multiplier", security problems in cyberspace - cybeattacks and cybethreats (state and non-state actors - i.e. terrorists, criminals, hackers, hacktivists and others); problem of disinformation; issue of privacy in cyberspace as a security problem
IX. Contemporary armed conflicts. Technology and war. Crisis, armed conflict, war – main terms and categories; armed conflicts after Cold War – statistical overview; contemporary armed conflicts – main characteristics; impact of technology on war (Revolution in Military Affairs, privatisation of conflicts; hybridization of conflicts)
X. Peace operations and conflict reconciliation - definitions, typologies, genesis and evolution; contemporary peace operations - statistical overview, main characteristics and problems (i.e. resource availability; SEA - sexual exploitation and abuse)
XI. Interventionism (incl. humanitarian interventions, Responsibility to Protect - R2P, counterinsurgency) - roots of liberal interventionism (incl. Democratic peace theory); issue of humanitarian intervention; genesis and main principles of R2P; evolution on contemporary interventionism; problems of peace/state-building and counterinsurgency practices
XII. Arms control (disarmament, arms limitation and reduction, WMD non-proliferation; export control) - genesis, main treaties and regimes on WMD (nuclear - NPR, CTBT, TPNW, other; biological - BTWC; Chemical - CWC; conventional weapons - CCW, APM, CCM, other); idea of CSBM and export control measures; main challenges for arms control - issue of verification; non-compliance; erosion of current arms control infrastructure
XIII. New problems of the Int’l Security (energy, environment/climate, pandemic and migrations as a security issues) - reasons of current relevance, main forms and manifestations; interdependencies in non-military threats assessment of the impact on international security and ways of response