Global Hotspots: South China Sea and Nagorno Karabakh
The South China Sea and Nagorno Karabakh are considered global hotspots due to their geopolitical significance, historical conflicts, and the potential for international conflict.
Scope
- The South China Sea is a strategic maritime region, vital for global trade, containing crucial shipping lanes and significant natural resources.
- Nagorno Karabakh is a disputed area primarily between Armenia and Azerbaijan, marked by a complex history of ethnic conflict and territorial claims.
Key Theories in International Relations
- Realism explains the competitive nature of state behaviour in these regions; power dynamics shape the conflict in both areas.
- Liberalism emphasizes the role of international institutions in mediating disputes, highlighting frameworks like the United Nations peacekeeping efforts in Nagorno Karabakh.
Global Governance and International Institutions
- The South China Sea dispute involves multiple nations, leading to regional agreements and forums like ASEAN to manage tensions.
- In Nagorno Karabakh, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has led diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict through negotiation.
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
- China's assertive claims in the South China Sea reflect its growing influence and altered foreign policy under President Xi Jinping.
- Armenia and Azerbaijan's foreign policies heavily focus on international support and alliances, influencing diplomatic negotiations in Nagorno Karabakh.
Geopolitics and Strategic Studies
- The South China Sea is geopolitically significant, with major powers like the USA, Japan, and India involved, seeking to counter China's assertiveness.
- Nagorno Karabakh sits in a strategically important area connecting Europe and Asia, attracting interest from both regional and global powers.
Conflict, Security, and Peacebuilding
- Ongoing militarisation of the South China Sea poses security challenges, with skirmishes reported regularly among claimant nations.
- Recent flare-ups in Nagorno Karabakh have led to armed conflict, with ceasefires implemented but often broken, highlighting the instability of peace efforts.
International Law and Human Rights
- UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) governs maritime disputes in the South China Sea, yet China and other nations have conflicting interpretations.
- Human rights violations have been reported in Nagorno Karabakh, necessitating oversight from international human rights organisations amidst armed conflict.
Emerging Issues in International Affairs
- The South China Sea faces challenges like environmental degradation and the impact of militarization on regional stability.
- The situation in Nagorno Karabakh continues to evolve, with potential for renewed conflict affecting regional alliances and security frameworks.
