Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

The degree to which members of a military or political alliance maintain unity and cooperation in pursuing common goals. It affects the alliance's effectiveness and durability.

A situation where a state is dragged into an unwanted conflict due to obligations to an ally under a security agreement.

The process by which states enter into formal agreements to cooperate for mutual security or other goals. It influences balance of power and international stability.

The process by which states coordinate policies, share resources, and maintain trust to sustain collective defense agreements or partnerships.

Competitive development and deployment of AI technologies for military advantage among states.

A multilateral platform for security dialogue and confidence-building among Asia-Pacific countries.

Conflict where opposing forces differ significantly in military capabilities or tactics, often involving guerrilla or unconventional methods.

Military technologies capable of selecting and engaging targets without human intervention, raising ethical and security concerns.

A situation where no single state or coalition dominates others, maintaining stability through power equilibrium.

A theory in international relations suggesting that national security is enhanced when military capabilities are distributed so that no one state is strong enough to dominate others.

States form alliances based on perceived threats rather than just power, considering factors like geographic proximity and offensive capabilities.

An IR theory suggesting states form alliances based on perceived threats rather than mere power balances.

Procedures and technologies implemented to prevent unauthorized access, tampering, or fraud in the voting process, ensuring election integrity and voter confidence.

A formal agreement between two countries outlining mutual defense commitments or cooperation on security matters.

The ability of a state to quickly develop nuclear weapons from civilian nuclear technology if it decides to do so.

The distribution of costs, responsibilities, and risks among states or actors in collective security arrangements or international coalitions.

An act by a party in a conflict that breaches an agreed temporary halt to hostilities, undermining peace efforts.

Using threats or limited force to persuade an adversary to change its behavior without full-scale war.

Collective defense is a security arrangement where an attack against one member is considered an attack against all members of an alliance.

A provision in a security pact where an attack against one member is considered an attack against all members.

An arrangement where states agree that an attack against one is an attack against all, promoting mutual defense.

An agreement among states to respond together to threats and breaches of peace, ensuring mutual protection and deterrence.

An international agreement prohibiting all nuclear explosions for testing purposes.

Actions taken by conflicting parties to reduce tensions and build trust, often preceding formal peace negotiations.

A concept in constructivist theory where states' perceptions and identities shape security dilemmas, emphasizing that insecurity arises from social interactions rather than material factors alone.

Negotiations between states during a high-tension situation where threats and concessions determine outcomes.

The condition in which adversaries avoid escalating conflicts during crises due to mutual deterrence or communication.

The use of hacking and other cyber techniques by states or actors to obtain confidential or strategic information from other countries.

A formal agreement between states to come to each other's defense if either is attacked. Such alliances aim to deter aggression by promising collective military response.

Agreements between states to support each other militarily if attacked, emphasizing mutual defense.

A theory in international relations positing that states seek security and survival rather than power maximization, emphasizing cautious behavior in an anarchic system.

A strategy aimed at discouraging aggression by convincing an adversary that their attack will fail or have no benefit.

A strategy that discourages hostile actions by threatening severe retaliation if such actions occur.

A strategy that prevents aggression by threatening credible and severe retaliation.

The reduction or elimination of a country's weapons or military forces to promote peace and security.

The Disarmament and International Security Committee addressing global security, disarmament, and peacekeeping.

A U.S. policy strategy aimed at containing two adversaries simultaneously, notably Iran and Iraq in the 1990s, to prevent regional dominance. It involves balancing multiple security threats.

Dual-use technologies have both civilian and military applications, raising concerns about their regulation and control.

The protection of ecosystems and natural resources to sustain human well-being and prevent environmental conflicts.

Environmental security addresses threats to national and international stability caused by environmental degradation and resource scarcity.

Instances where efforts to establish lasting peace after conflict collapse, leading to renewed violence or instability.

A country where the government cannot provide basic services or security, leading to loss of control and potential humanitarian crises.

A measurement tool assessing the vulnerability of a state to collapse based on social, economic, and political indicators.

The ability of a state to launch a preemptive nuclear attack that significantly weakens an opponent's retaliatory forces.

Rivalry among major states to achieve strategic dominance in global or regional arenas.

A conflict aimed at determining or challenging the dominant power or hegemon in the international system.

An approach focusing on protecting individuals from threats like poverty, disease, and violence rather than just state security.

The International Atomic Energy Agency that promotes safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technology.

An approach to security emphasizing the participation of women, minorities, and marginalized groups in peace and security processes.

The concept that the security of one state is linked to the security of others, emphasizing collective approaches to peace and conflict prevention. It challenges purely national security perspectives.

The use of information and communication technologies to influence, disrupt, or manipulate adversaries' decision-making.

An organized rebellion aimed at overthrowing or undermining a government through irregular warfare tactics.

Measures and inspections by the IAEA to ensure nuclear materials are not diverted to weapons programs.

A governmental body that coordinates intelligence analysis and advises policymakers on security matters.

A moral framework that evaluates the justification and conduct of war based on principles like legitimate authority and proportionality.

Military actions involving direct physical force such as airstrikes, artillery, or ground combat.

A concept emphasizing protection of individuals from threats beyond traditional military security.

The process of adding new member states, primarily former Warsaw Pact countries, to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after the Cold War.

International framework of treaties, agreements, and organizations aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

Entities other than states, such as NGOs, corporations, or terrorist groups, that influence international relations.

Organized military forces that operate independently of recognized state governments, often involved in insurgencies or conflicts.

International agreements and institutions designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

Strategy of preventing aggression by threatening unacceptable nuclear retaliation.

Radioactive particles released into the atmosphere following a nuclear explosion, causing environmental and health hazards.

The condition of possessing the technological and material capability to develop nuclear weapons without having actually done so.

An international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful nuclear energy use.

The nuclear triad consists of land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and strategic bombers to ensure a credible nuclear deterrent.

A security guarantee by a nuclear-armed state to protect an ally from nuclear attack.

Deliberate cyberattacks designed to disrupt, damage, or gain advantage over adversaries in cyberspace.

A theory in international relations that emphasizes states seek to maximize their power and dominance to ensure security.

The use of coercive military measures by international forces to restore peace in conflict zones without the consent of all parties.

Military interventions authorized by international bodies to restore peace, often using force beyond traditional peacekeeping.

Peacekeeping deploys international forces to maintain ceasefires and create conditions for lasting peace in conflict zones.

The use of force to prevent an imminent attack, justified before the attack actually occurs under international law.

Military attack launched to prevent an imminent threat from an adversary's offensive action.

A conflict where external powers support opposing sides without direct involvement in the fighting.

A conflict where two opposing states or powers support combatants that serve their interests instead of fighting directly.

A group of states whose primary security concerns are interlinked, forming a distinct regional security environment.

Ongoing armed conflict beginning in 2014 involving Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces, escalating with Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion.

Techniques used by states or entities to circumvent economic or political sanctions imposed by other countries or organisations.

An approach in international relations that explains how issues are framed as security threats requiring extraordinary measures.

A group of states among which war is considered unlikely because of shared norms, values, and mutual trust.

Situation where actions by a state to increase its security cause insecurity in others, leading to arms races or conflict.

Strategic ambiguity is deliberately vague policy communication to deter adversaries while avoiding explicit commitments.

Criminal activities that cross national borders, including trafficking, smuggling, and cybercrime, impacting global security.

A principal UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security with the power to authorize military action.

WMD proliferation refers to the spread of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons to states or non-state actors.

The spread of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons to states or non-state actors.