CSS IR-I: Strategic Approaches to International Relations

Topics Covered

• War, Causes of War, Types of War
• Strategic Culture: Determinants of Pakistani strategic culture
• Deterrence: theory and Practices With special reference to Nuclear India and Pakistan 

File Photo: Pakistani SSG Commandoes 

War, Causes of War, Types of War

War is an organized effort by a government or other large organization to stop or defeat something that is viewed dangerous or bad. It is defined as substantial arms conflict between the organized military forces of independent political units. War excludes the domestic conflicts, and considered as instrument of international politics and last resort to protect national interest. A condition when there is no actual conflict but a permanent cold war that could become a “real” war at any time – State of war.

Causes of the war: the level of analysis concept can be used to explain why wars begin?

1) The individual level – theories about war center on rationality. Such as realism says international conflict is normal and reflects rational decision making of national leaders. War begins with conscious and reasoned decision based on calculation, made by both parties, that they can achieve more by going to war than by remaining at peace.

2) The domestic level – Characteristics of states or societies make them more or less prone to use violence in resolving conflict. Ex: Capitalist states vs. Communist states. Domestic political factors, interests’ group, and legislature shape a state’s outlook on war and peace.

3) The interstate level – analysis explains power relations among major state actor’s in international relations are causes of war. Power transition theory suggest that when power of two opposing states is in equilibrium (BOP) the conflicts are converted in wars.

 4) The global level – analysis, a number of theories of war have been proposed.

Cycle theories, an effort to explain tendencies towards war in international system as cyclical. Such as, Kondratieff cycles is used to link wars with long waves in world economy.

Some other useful approaches to find causes of war:

 Descriptive approaches, focus on specific direct causes of outbreak of the war such as, assassination of Archdule Franz Ferdinand in 1914 “caused” world war – I.

Theoretical Approaches, search for general explanation about wars break out.

Statistical Perspective, political scientist analyze data on types of war and circumstance under which they occurred.

Types of War:

Hegemonic War, war for the control of the entire world order and rules of the international system as a whole. Also called, world war, general war, or systemic war. Such as, WW-II.

Total War, the term was coined by German General Paul Von Ludendorff. Warfare by one state waged to conquer and occupy another state. The goal is to reach the capital city and force the surrender of the government. Such as, Napoleonic war on French national economy. Such as, WW-I. All available resources of country are completely mobilized to defeat enemy.

Limited War, Actions carried out to gain some short objectives of the surrender and occupation of enemy. Such as, US led war against Iraq 1991 retook the territory of Kuwait but did not go to Baghdad to topple Sadam Hussain’s government. Raids are limited wars that consists single action. In 2007, Israeli warplanes bombed a facility in Syria that believed to be nuclear research facility. Decisive or total victory is not an objective, said, Karl von Clausewitz (Book On War). The Korean War, Vietnam War, NATO Bombing of Yugoslavia are example of limited war.

Asymmetric Warfare, War between belligerents whose relative military power differs significantly. Such as, American Revolution wars, hijackings and suicide bombings by terrorists. Why big nations lose small wars article by Andrew J.R. Mack.

Civil War, War between fractions with in a state trying to create, or prevent, a new government for the entire state or some territorial part of it. Such as, US Civil war in 1860s. In 1971, civil war in Pakistan resulted in formation of Bangladesh

Guerrilla War, Warfare without front lines and with irregular forces operating in the midst of, and often hidden or protected by, civilian population. The purpose is not to directly confront but rather to harass or punish it so as to gradually limits its operations and effectively liberate territory from its control.  Such as, US fought Vietcong guerrillas in 1960s and 1970s.

Strategic culture determinants of Pakistani strategic culture

Strategic Culture: Determinants of Pakistani strategic culture

The term Strategic culture has grown to become the integral part of the IR since first being introduced by Jack Snyder in a 1977 research report on Soviet and American nuclear strategies. It is “set of beliefs, attitudes and norms towards the use of military force, often molded according to historical experience”. – Chappell (2009). Colin S. Gray argues, “All strategic behavior is affected by human who cannot help but be cultural agents”. It is affected by national culture, national political culture and the situational factors.

Pakistan’s strategic culture was initially determined by hostile India during Kashmir war, in 1947-48 and Afghan’s claim on Pakistan’s territory, when they opposed our admission to UNO in 1947. Feeling insecure we purchased small weapons and equipment from Great Britain and other commonwealth countries. Decided to join American alliance system to overcome security problems. Signed Mutual Defense Assistance Treaty with the USA in May 1954. Joined Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) in September 1954. Signed Baghdad Pact (renamed as) the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) in Sept 1955. Began to obtained weapons from China in 1965 after war with India. Major strategic shift brought about by Z.A Bhutto to nuclearize Pakistan in 1972. Supported the USA in Soviet Afghan War in 1979. To rectify strategic imbalances in South Asia conducted nuclear explosion in May 1998. Presently Indian and afghan factor, population, economy, health, terrorism are challenges faced by strategic culture of Pakistan.   

Air based Deterrence 

Deterrence: theory and Practices With special reference to Nuclear India and Pakistan 

An American military strategist Bernard Brodie wrote book The Absolute weapon: Atomic Power World order in 1946 and propounded term Deterrence.

Deterrence is act of discouraging an action by creating fear – fear of punishment, or, use of punishment as threat to deter people from offending. Nuclear Deterrence Dissuasion of sate from embarking upon actions – harmful to one’s vital security interest. Nuclear Deterrence theory strategic equilibrium preserves peace, maintains stability, uncertainty decreases, the security dilemma diminishes, possibility of war decreases and peace become possible. Deterrence is strategy of prevention it has three components: capability, the intention to employ it, and the ability to communicate both capability and resolve.

Indian Nuclear Deterrence India created deterrence in Asia by testing atomic bomb in May 1974 (Smiling Buddha or Pokhran I) and May 1998 (Pokhran - II).

PM Vajpayee said “we have announced our intention to maintain a minimum nuclear deterrence….”

Indian Nuclear Doctrine (IND) compiled and announced in Aug, 1999 to develop and deploy nuclear weapons. It has three components: Normative posture (use for peace and stability), minimum deterrence posture (to preserve greater India – Gandhian and Nehruvian Philosophy), and No First Use (NFU) policy (Use only in retaliation).

Pakistan Nuclear Deterrence In response to Pokhran – II Pakistan on May 28^th, 1998 tested Atomic Bomb (Chagi – I) to deter India against attacking Pakistan and to maintain balance of power.  Since Pakistan tested its nuclear devices in May 1998, it has not formally declared an official nuclear use doctrine. Pakistani maintain that ambiguity to serves Pakistan’s interests better.

It can be derived from statements of our officials.

Pakistan’s ambassador to conference on disarmament (CD) promised “restraint weaponization” in June, 1998.  

PM Nawaz Shareef in 20^th May 1999 said, “nuclear restraint, stabilization and minimum credible deterrence constitutes the basic elements of Pakistan’s nuclear policy.

Parvez Musharraf in 2001-2 said, “we do not want war. But is war is thrust upon us, we would respond with full might, and give a befitting reply”.

So Pakistani deterrence constitutes: Credible minimum deterrence, First use (FU), Massive retaliation, Reliable C4I system. Presently, both Pakistan and the India are using land, air and sea-based deterrence.