This essay argues that the theoretical implications of nuclear weaponry within the context of current politics lead to the pessimistic view that disarmament is ultimately desirable but unfeasible. The argument will cite the changing nature of the post-Cold War security arena as well flaws in Realist theory for the abolishment of nuclear weapons, while simultaneously lending itself to inflexible, institutional interests within the security establishment to explain its unfeasibility.

This essay examines the implications of drone technology upon the just war tradition by contesting the loosening of jus ad bellum and jus in bello paradigms, in tandem with a thorough analysis of the nature of both drones and drone strikes. Attention is paid to their a priori ethical and moral justification, and to current developments in their employment. It soon becomes clear that drones do not render just war theory redundant - its fundamental tenets remain. Nevertheless, in light of drone te...

International Security lecture notes. Topics include: - War and Clausewitz - Causes of War - Military-Industrial Complex and arms trading - Nuclear weapons - Ethnic conflict - Contemporary Western warfare - Security studies: realism, liberalism - Securitisation: critical security studies, post-structuralism, feminism, post-colonialism - Security dilemma and democratic peace theory - Just war theory, humanitarian intervention and R2P - Terrorism and counter-terrorism - Resource, energy and enviro...