The Role of Russia in Global Conflicts - Research Proposal Example

The Changing Role of Russia in Global Conflicts of Institute Research The Changing Role of Russia in Global Conflicts Research Objectives This research aims to determine how Russia’s interference in global conflicts is a threat to global peace and whether this can be subdued to prevent another World War from taking place. Precisely, a number of incidences of Russia’s interference will be analyzed to find out their global impact as far as world peace is concerned. These include: i. Interference in the Syrian solution ii. Interference in Iran where she lifted the arms embargo sooner than anticipated iii. Her role in the Ukraine and Crimean conflict iv. Recent military threats to her former colonies v. The reactions of the United States and NATO alliance members to the threat posed by Russia vi. How Russia’s current actions threaten the gains that accrued from the Second World War vii. How Russia’s military support to Iran is a threat to world peace considering that Iran is giving support to Yemeni rebels viii. Research Questions Will Russia’s interference in the Syrian situation lead to increased conflict or offer a solution? How will the Middle East peace be affected by Russia’s lifting of arms embargo to Syria? Will NATO alliance stand and watch as escalations build up? What should be the best approach to the emerging proxy wars between Russia and NATO alliance? Background of Research World War Three is in the offing. Russia is believed to be engineering this war because of her increased involvement in world conflicts (Deutsch, 2015, p.1). At the close of WWII, Russia was a losing party despite her attempts to be the world superpower (Ulmer, 1998, 8). The United States was declared the world superpower, a position equivalent to the ruler of the world (Tyner, 2010, p.67). However, Russia has been scaling up her involvement in the conflicts in Asia and the Middle East. For instance, Russia openly turned out against the Western intrusion in Syria arguing that the use of force to destroy Syrian military infrastructure was an illusion. Russia made it clear that the opponents of Syria would not find it easy. This indicated that she was against the western intervention and ready to battle the West if they do not heed. Similar interventions are taking place in Iran and Ukraine. As alignments take place, the world could soon be polarized as it happened in the Second World War. When this rift widens, a war will result inevitably. The game playing out now is between the West and the East. As much as the West (led by the United States) is trying to have a hand in Ukraine and the East to restore peace and stability Russia is worried or cunningly playing so. She feels her territory is being invaded. Russia supports Iran, Crimea, and Syria through weaponry. The West fears that Russia’s aggression has reached an alarming point. The United States, particularly, fears that Russia could topple her from the world superpower position. These developments clearly show that Russia’s interference in world conflicts is a threat to world peace. Analytical Framework The analysis will be done pursuant to the theory of realism. Here, countries strive for competitive advantage and economic strength in their relations or dealings with other countries. Under realism, states are concerned primarily with their security, acting in pursuit of their national interests. States struggle for power to achieve these goals. However, states disregard ethical norms in this struggle (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2014, p.1). Russia’s intervention in the world conflicts has a touch of realism in it. Russia is committed to safeguarding her economic power in Asia and worldwide. This means she has to control the warring states, which have massive economic implications on her. The interventions of Russia in world conflicts have a real economic basis for competitive advantage. Without sufficient economi cmuscle, Russia cannot stand against the West. Understanding this situation from a realist perspective will help design solutions for preventing another World War based on the challenges of the realist approach and the criticisms leveled against it. Literature Review Bellamy, Williams and Griffins (2010, p. 33) document the role of peacekeeping operations in the world since the 1990s. They point out that the number of conflicts has reduced significantly by up to 40%. Interestingly, they also point out that most conflicts have been ended through negotiated settlements rather than a military victory. This position draws curiosity as to whether the interventions of the US and Russia involving the military are in line with the “preferred” approach. Loverace (2011, p. 54) examines the military politics and defense doctrine of Russia, which have influenced her role in international conflicts. The author looks at the origins of the doctrine, the politics that fueled it, and the contents thereof. The doctrine is highly politicized to say the least. Several actors, the government, the military, and political policy circles have played out in pushing Russia to interfere in global conflicts. Rozoff (2010, p.5) reveals the critical role of NATO in light of the global peace and security. The alliance has enlisted several countries in Europe and the Middle East following the war in Afghanistan. The alliance has also been taking out against Russia following the latter’s involvement in Iran, something that has ripples on several states. The principle of progressive nuclear disarmament, as agreed at the end of the Second World War, is questionable. Bagdonas (2012, p.231) looks into Russia’s intervention in Syria. The crimes against humanity that resulted from the Syrian regime met international pressure. However, Russia supported the regime in what the author argues was motivated by pure material interests and not the foreign policy doctrine (multipolarity). Russia wanted to tighten her influence and reputation in the East. Parker (2012, p.22) acknowledges that Russia and Iran have had smooth diplomatic relations though Russia has insisted that Iran should commit itself to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Nevertheless, Russia is keen not to be too hard on Iran because she might opt out of the NPT and defy the inspection measures of the IAEA. Russia’s suspicion and hatred for the U.S. could worsen things between the two. However, the mistrust for Iran is much more than Putin’s resentment for the U.S. It seems, therefore, that Russia is keener on the U.S. moves than it is on the ties with Iran. Karatnycky and Motyl (2009, p. 107) argue that the stability of Europe is highly dependent on the security of Ukraine. The authors center on the European economy, which is significantly run by the natural gas supplies streaming from Ukraine. It means, therefore, that the interventions in Ukraine are not purely peacekeeping in nature or in line with the foreign policy doctrine. At eh same time, the interventions are not purely retaliatory in nature. Material gains seem to be at the heart of the interventions from the West and Russia. Research Outline The research will be divided into chapters. Chapter one will be the introduction section. Here, the role of Russia in global conflicts and the threat of this involvement to international peace will be given an executive summary. The chapter will set out the objectives of the study as well as a strong thesis statement. Chapter two will set out the historical background of Russia’s involvement in international conflicts. The two World Wars and the Cold War will be taken into account in this trajectory. Chapter three will look discuss the recent interventions of Russia in global conflicts. These include the interference in Syria, Iran, and Ukraine. These implications of these interventions on world peace will be analyzed. Chapter four will set out the various ways of subduing Russia’s interventions from both an international approach (that is, through the United Nations and other global means) and leadership overhaul in Russia. The last chapter will be the concluding chapter, summing up all the discussions in the paper and giving recommendations as necessary. Data Sources Information to aid this research will be obtained from recent scholarly articles as obtained from reliable databases. Recent books, journals, articles from authoritative newspapers and media houses, and organizations published on the subject matter will also be useful in this research. Reliable internet sources data will also inform this research to some extent. Qualitative analysis of data will be used to develop the arguments and analyze trends. The approach will be a meta-analysis of recent source and logical critique of events to arrive at logical conclusions. Ethical Issues Studies on the world peace are sensitive in that they heighten fears especially among the most vulnerable states. This research will take care not to give specific indications as to the vulnerability of states. Due care will be taken to analyze the issues at hand without implicating anybody or any state. References Bagdonas, A., 2012. Russias Interests in the Syrian Conflict: Power, Prestige, and Profit. European Journal of Political Science, 73(12), 216-245. Bellamy, A. J., Williams, P. and Griffin, S., 2010. Understanding Peacekeeping. London: Cambridge University Press. Deutsch, M., 2015. The Prevention of World War III: A Psychological Perspective. Springer Briefs on Pioneers in Science and Practice, 31, 7-31. Karatnycky, A. and Motyl, A. J., 2009. The Key to Kiev: Ukraines Security Means Europes Stability. Foreign Affairs, 88(3), 106-120. Kegley, C. W. and Raymond, G. A., 1992. Must We Fear a Post-Cold War Multipolar System? Journal of Conflict Resolution, 36(3), 573-585 Loverace, D., 2011. Russian Military Politics and Russias 2010 Defense Doctrine. New York: McGraw-Hill Parker, J. W., 2012. Russia and the Iranian nuclear program: replay or breakthrough? Retrieved from http://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/stratperspective/inss/Strategic-Perspectives-9.pdf Rozoff, R., 2010. NATO Expansion, Missile Deployments and Russia’s New Military Doctrine. retrieved from https://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/1405238/688506486/name/NATO+Expansion,+Russia%2580%25A0%25A0%2592%25B2s+New+Military+Doctrine.doc Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2014. Political Realism in International Relations. Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/realism-intl-relations/ Tyner, J. A., 2010. Military legacies: A world made by war. Oliveira Ulmer, W. F., 1998. Military leadership into the 21st century: Another" bridge too far?" Retrieved from http://strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/parameters/Articles/2010winter/Ulmer_Jr.pdf Read More