SEC 6318

Weak and Failing States and National Security

6318 Weak and Failing States and National Security (3-0). For many years following the end of the Cold War, weak states, failing states, and failed states, received little or no attention from the United States. With the exception of the Somalia case study (a failed state), the United States tended to ignore states that were either weak or on the brink of being failed states. The events of 9/11 ended this for the most part. Because Afghanistan was essentially a failing state and supported terrorism, this issue has now become one that is ripe for examination. What constitutes a weak state? A failing state? A failed state? Are failed states a threat to U.S. security? If so, why is this the case? Which states are these, and what can be done to remedy the ominous (and often unique) threats they pose? All these issues are examined in this course, which will provide current and recent case studies as a method for conducting analysis of an issue that has only recently come to the forefront of Washingtons foreign policy.

Units: 3.0