Asia and Middle East Studies

In this paper, we will have a close look on the contemporary international system after the
end of the two Cold Wars. Are there some countries that still seek hegemonic power? What
are the challenges that face them? And most importantly how can we describe the dynamics
of the system in the light of structural realism

This paper will attempt to look further into the influence of great powers and the maintained international power structure in nationalist-ethnic secession pursuits, by focusing on the case of Kurds around the region of Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. The research question is: “How can the international power structure influence nationalist-ethnic secession pursuits? Kurd’s case examined.” The great powers that are noticeably involved in the Kurdish issue are Turkey, United States, and Russia. To what extent do they assist, or repress, Kurd’s attempts to actualize their right to self-determination? What are the reasons and motivations behind such intervention? What do they gain or lose?

In this report, the case of Lebanon will be studied and evaluated against the
principles of UN peacekeeping and the mandates agreed upon in UNIFIL, to try to reach an insight on the effectiveness of such missions in the international system we live in today.