8.7C Member States Operating Independently

• Failed state = a political entity that has lost or never had the ability to perform the basic functions of a sovereign government
•  indicators of a failed state are: 

  • A lack of effective control over its territory
  • The erosion of legitimate authority
  • The inability to provide public services
  • Widespread corruption, and violence or threat of violence
• • Failed states pose serious challenges to regional and global security, as they can become havens for terrorists, criminals, and human rights violators
  • As a result, some member states (US, UK, Russia) have operated independently of the UN in intervening in ‘failed states’ or to conduct a ‘war on terror’
•  interventions of failed states have occurred due to:

  • UN inaction or delays
  • UN Security Council members have different interests and may veto suggested action
  • E.g. When Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, the UN member states were divided 
• These independent interventions have profound negative impacts on geopolitical relations and global stability:

  • The US has taken military action in several failed states
  • Unmanned drones are used
  • The US argue that the use of drones is an act of self-defence in a counter-terrorism situation and reduced the loss of their service men and women
• Iraq War 2003-2011:

  • The US and UK governments justified their actions by asserting that Iraq was making illegal weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)
  • The UN wished to send in scientists and weapon inspectors, but the US and UK were unwilling to wait and took military action
  • This move was opposed by then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
  • Although there was a short-term military success, long-term, the impact has been one of civil war, strengthening of its neighbour Iran and the rapid growth of ISIS
• Costs for the Iraq war:

  • The cost of intervention is incalculable but ongoing, so far:
  • The 'war on terror' has cost the US 2000 lives since 2001 
  • Since 9/11, the US has spent over $8 trillion on the war on terror
  • An estimated 3.6-3.8 million people have died indirectly in post-9/11 war zones, bringing the total death toll to at least 4.5-4.7 million and counting
  • 38 million war refugees and displaced persons
  • UK military operations cost in Iraq from 2003 - 2009 was £8.4bn
  • Four times as many active personnel and veterans have committed suicide than died in combat