INTERNATIONAL

SECURITY
By Shafique Ahmed
 Security
The term 'secure' entered the English language in the 16th
century, derived from Latin "securus," meaning freedom
from anxiety
Security refers to the condition of being safe from threats
or dangers, whether they are physical, political, economic,
or social. It's about protecting individuals, communities,
and nations from harm or disruption.
 International Security
• Internationalsecurity, also called global security, refers to the
amalgamation of measures taken by states and international
organizations, such as the United Nations, European Union,
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and others, to ensure mutual
survival and safety.
• These measures include, Military action and Diplomatic agreements
such as treaties and conventions International and national security are
invariably linked.
• International security is national security or state security in the global
arena.
• With the end of World War II, a new subject of academic
study focusing on international security emerged. It began as
an independent field of study but was absorbed as a sub-field
of international relations.
• The study of international security has been at the heart of
international relations studies. It covers labels like "security
studies", "strategic studies", "peace studies", among others.
• Every year world economic form report (Global security
report)
 Key Assumptions
• Security of what (Nature of international
security)
• Security from what (ecological threat, peace
threat) (Nuclear Weapons)
• Security for what (freedom)
 Aspects of International Security
Traditional
• Military Conflict: Wars between countries, including land, sea, and air battles.
• Arms Race: Countries building more and more weapons, making everyone nervous.
• Spying : Stealing secrets from other countries.
Modern
• Cybersecurity: Attacks on computer systems and networks of countries and businesses.
• Terrorism: Violence used to scare people and achieve political goals.
• Resource Shortage: Not enough things like water, food, or oil leading to conflict.
• Climate Change: Rising sea levels, extreme weather, and other issues causing problems for
countries.
• Global Pandemics: Diseases that spread quickly across borders, like COVID-19.
 Importance of IS
Mutual Survival and Safety: Measures taken to uphold international security
ensure the safety and survival of nations and their citizens through actions
such as military cooperation and diplomatic agreements like treaties and
conventions.
Interconnected Issues: International security extends to a broad spectrum of
interconnected concerns, including economic stability, ethnic conflicts,
religious tensions, trade disputes, and environmental challenges like climate
change. These issues are intertwined and require comprehensive approaches
for effective management.
Academic Significance:
The study of international security holds academic importance within
disciplines such as international relations, security studies, and peace studies. It
delves into understanding various security dynamics, offering insights into
strategies for conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Balancing Power and Peace:
International security involves the delicate balance between power dynamics
and the pursuit of peace. It entails analyzing relations between major powers,
regional tensions, human security concerns, and the impact of technology on
security policies to foster peaceful coexistence amid power struggles.
 Dynamics of IS
State Sovereignty
• Pakistan's adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter, which
affirm the sovereign equality of all member states, while simultaneously
addressing security concerns through bilateral engagements with neighboring
countries.
Collective Security
• Pakistan's active involvement in UN peacekeeping missions, exemplified by its
contributions to UN operations in conflict zones such as Africa and the Middle
East, showcasing its commitment to collective security efforts on a global scale.
Arms Control
• Pakistan's participation in international non-proliferation initiatives, such as
the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), demonstrating its commitment
to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.(not to spread of nuclear weapons)
Conflict Resolution
• Pakistan's engagement in regional forums like the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and diplomatic initiatives, such as the Composite
Dialogue Process with India, aimed at resolving longstanding conflicts and
fostering peace and stability in the region.
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Pakistan's contributions to peacebuilding efforts through its involvement in regional
organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and its support
for UN initiatives focused on conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction.
Humanitarian Intervention
• Pakistan's cooperation with international humanitarian agencies, such as the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in providing
assistance to refugees and displaced persons fleeing conflict and natural disasters.
Counter - terrorism
• Pakistan's partnership with the United States and other international allies in
counterterrorism initiatives, including intelligence-sharing and military
cooperation, to combat terrorist organizations operating within its borders and in
the region.
Cybersecurity
• Pakistan's participation in regional cybersecurity forums and initiatives, such as
the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), aimed at enhancing cooperation and
coordination in addressing cyber threats.
Economic Security
• Pakistan's participation in regional economic cooperation
frameworks, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), to
enhance economic stability and promote regional trade and
investment for long-term security and prosperity.
Environmental Security
• Pakistan'sengagement in multilateral environmental agreements,
such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC), and efforts to promote sustainable
development and address environmental challenges, including
water scarcity and pollution.
 Security in 21Century
Insights into the top risks facing the world, enabling them to develop effective
strategies to address and mitigate these challenges for the benefit of global
stability and prosperity.
• Environmental Risks: Extreme weather events continue to be a dominant
concern, with two-thirds of respondents identifying it as the top risk most
likely to cause a global crisis in 2024. This underscores the urgent need for
addressing climate change and building resilience against its impacts.
• Technological Advances: The report highlights the merging of technological
progress and geopolitical shifts, which is projected to have varying impacts
on economies, potentially leading to winners and losers.
• Misinformation and Disinformation: The spreading of false information,
influenced by both foreign and local sources, poses a significant global risk in
the coming years. This underscores the necessity of combating misinformation
through promoting media literacy and safeguarding democratic processes and
societal cohesion.
• Cost-of-Living Crisis: Concerns persist regarding the cost of living, with
uncertainties surrounding supply-side inflation and interest rates impacting
businesses and nations. This emphasizes the need to address economic disparities
and ensure affordable access to essential goods and services for all individuals.
• Societal Polarization: Societal polarization is among the top three risks over both
the short and longer term. It ranks ninth over the longer term, indicating the
persistent challenge of divisions within societies, which can undermine social
cohesion and stability.