Foreword

Abstract

There has been drastic change in the world's political economy during the last two decades. The era of super power rivalry is over. However, examples of ethnic conflict and human rights violations are abound. As a result of globalization, the emergence of economic super powers like China and India threaten future military confrontation with the U.S. and Western World. The military expenditure of the U.S. has again increased, and it is now more than 60 percent of the world total. There has been no peace dividend, and military spending by major countries including India and China is increasing. The lingering conflict in the former Soviet Union is still alive. Potential nuclear confrontation has emerged due to the possibility of Iran becoming a nuclear power. The cycle of nuclear confrontation with North Korea is not over. A possible nuclear deal with the U.S. and India is seen by many as a breech of non-proliferation agreement. The eternal conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine, and recent conflict in Iraq, will keep it burning for years to come. Many people think that Middle East conflict is nothing but conflict over energy in another form. In the 21st century, the prospect of conflict over water is looming. Another subject that will lead to confrontation between nations is an environmental conflict starting with global warming, water conflict and environmental health. All these factors will threaten human security

Citation

(2008), "Foreword", Fontanel, J. and Chatterji, M. (Ed.) War, Peace and Security (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 6), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. xvii-xviii. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-8323(08)06022-0