So, open conflict has broken out in Palestine again, with both Israel and Hamas dramatically raising the stakes in Gaza. I have become sufficiently jaded that I simply see this as another International Relations pissing contest where actual civilians disappear into the smog of mindless political one-upsmanship. It is conflict such as this that ( Read more... )

Good old state sovereignty. As soon as you get any sort of international dispute, sure as anything you'll get diplomats and commentators alike prattling on about "territorial integrity" and the like. After all, the inviolability of state sovereignty and the principle of non-intervention in a state's domestic affairs are accepted norms within ( Read more... )

How to kill interest in your LJ entry, step one: open with "I feel that when it comes to political theory, especially International Relations theory ..."

To hell with it. I'm doing it anyway, even if no-one else will particularly care. I think theory is both worthwhile and interesting ( Read more... )

Dear lecturers of European history and International Relations,

The 1648 Treaty of Westphalia was NOT also known as the "Treaty of West Failure". Please adjust your pronunciation accordingly.

Thanks,
Axver