Issue 6 – January 2014
TOPICS: Bakassi Crisis, Syria, Japan, National Security Strategy, Sudan
Coordinator:
Christian Chereji and Alexandra Mihali
Content – Sommaire:
ARTICLES in Issue 6 – January 2014:
The Bakassi Crisis: The Role of the Nigerian and Cameroonian Military,
1981-2013
Henry KAM KAH
Abstract:
This paper examines the role played by the Nigerian and Cameroonian military in exacerbating and/or mitigating the crisis over ownership of the Bakassi peninsula prior to and after the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague in 2002. Faced with internal challenges and determined to keep Bakassi to either side, the military of both countries committed atrocities, while lives and properties were also lost in the process. The same military also contributed to the peaceful transfer of the entire oil and fish rich peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon. From 1981, when the first conflict was recorded in the peninsula, between the Cameroonian and Nigerian forces, to 2008, when the final transfer of the territory to Cameroon was done, and after, there was sustained tension between the forces of both countries for different reasons. Their role was also compounded by the militant activities of armed groups from the Nigerian side, determined
to keep the territory under Nigeria. This paper reveals, through a content analysis of some of the literature available, that both the Nigerian and Cameroonian military carried out their activities in the Bakassi peninsula determined by internal and external forces.
Key words:
Bakassi, Nigeria, Cameroon, military, crisis.
An Overview of the Syrian Insurgency
Iustin MUREȘANU-IGNAT
Abstract:
This paper explores some of the structural conditions existing in the body of Syrian
Opposition, both political and armed ones, focusing on some of the circumstances that allowed the rise of the extremist factions that are now the main opponents of the Assad regime. Without entering into the dynamics of the Syrian conflict, also significant for explaining the rise of violent, extremist Islam, our endeavor only marginally touches its current representatives, while attempting to prove that the rise of extremism was a natural occurrence and, given the history of Syria’s flirt with terrorism, maybe unavoidable.
Key words:
Syria, Assad, Syrian opposition, political Islam, terrorism.
An Overview on Japan’s National Security Strategy
Alexandra MIHALI
Abstract:
This paper offers an overview of Japan’s National Security Strategy. In doing so, it analyzes the controversy concerning Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and the current geopolitical concerns in the Asia-Pacific. In light of these factors, the paper wants to present the general provisions of the defense strategy, hoes does it respond to the actual threats in the area and what innovation does it bring.
Kew words:
Japan, security strategy, United States, Russia, China, North Korea, internal balancing,
external balancing, defensive realism, deterrence, proactive contribution to peace, collective self-defense.
The Two Sudans: Old and New Friends and Enemies
Ciprian SANDU
Abstract:
Both Sudans are very much open for business today, actively seeking foreign direct investment from West, East, and everywhere in between. During the half-century civil war between the north and the south, a lot of international actors were involved in one way or another. Some of them helped the rebels, some of them imposed sanctions, and others just wanted the oil. This article wants to present all the major actors who were involved mainly in the peace process in 2005, but, most importantly, an analysis of the present and future actions of these actors regarding both states.
Kew words:
Sudan, South Sudan, Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, oil,
China, Beijing, European Union, mediation, Dinka, Abyei, Merowe Dam, IGAD.
