International Conflict Resolution (ICR)

IAIA U6310 Diplomacy in Practice: the EU ＆ the World. 1.50 point.

The course will introduce students to the practice of modern diplomacy through case studies of global or regional crises and the EU’s response to them. Students will learn how foreign policy is devised and implemented from the perspective of a professional diplomat. The course will start with an introduction to the history of EU foreign policy and then to the institutions and instruments involved in foreign affairs. Each class will then focus on specific case studies starting with the EU approach to its different international partners: allies (transatlantic partnership and UN system), neighbors (the Southern Neighboring policy, the Eastern Partnership, the new European Political Community), and the rest of the multipolar world (Russia, China, India, Turkey,…); then the situation in Ukraine; the conflicts in the Middle East region (Libya, Syria, Middle East peace process) and the Iran nuclear agreement; lastly, the migration crisis. The final class will wrap up the course with a reflection on lessons learned and possible future developments of EU foreign policy’s organization and agenda. In each case, students will explore the interplay between the various instruments of foreign policy, including crisis management, defense and security, trade, financial aid, humanitarian assistance, and public diplomacy.

INAF U6348 Engaging Non-State Armed Groups: Lessons from the UN and Beyond. 1.50 Point.

Over the past decade, the number of civil wars globally has increased dramatically, driven by a proliferation of non-state armed groups, illicit transnational networks and regional actors. The rise of civil wars has meant conflicts are not only harder to resolve via traditional forms of diplomacy, but also more likely to relapse; in fact, 60 per cent of the civil wars that reached peace agreements in the early 2000s have since fallen back into conflict. As an organization created to prevent wars between states, the UN has struggled to meet the challenges of today’s conflicts, particularly when it comes to engaging non-state actors. At the same time, the UN is often uniquely positioned to make contact with armed groups that may be blacklisted by key member states, and it is often UN peace operations that are best placed to implement strategies to address the various threats they pose. What are the origins of the growth of today’s form of non-state armed groups and why have they increased in relevance in recent years? How has the rise of rebel and so-called “terrorist” groups affected the character of war today, and what implications does this have for conflict prevention and management? What challenges (and opportunities) do non-state actors pose to traditional forms of conflict resolution, and what can be learned from the UN’s experiences in places like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mali? Drawing on a mix of academic literature, case studies and first-hand accounts of those involved directly in UN-led operations in the field, students will explore these questions and grapple with the very real predicaments that face today’s mediators and peacekeepers around the world. By the end of this course, students will have a firm grasp of the core theories and concepts that drive UN engagement with non-state actors, how the UN and its partners have developed strategies in asymmetrical and complex environments, and a practical experience of the difficulties of applying principles to reality. This course will be of interest to those wishing to pursue academic research on the UN, scholars of critical studies of international relations, and those hoping to build a career in conflict resolution and management.

INAF U6361 Gender, Conflict, and Peacebuilding. 1.50 Point.

October 2023 marks 23 years since the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. An additional 9 resolutions have since been adopted. This agenda is the first time in the UN’s 50-year history that women’s experiences and particularly their contributions to the promotion of peace and security in contexts of violent conflict, closed political space and rising extremism is acknowledged. It is also the first time that the need for women’s protection was noted strongly. The resolution marks a clear watershed in the evolving efforts to promote human security as a normative framework for the international community. Although the primary focus is on women, the emerging discourse has drawn increasing attention to the need for gendered analysis – i.e., addressing the conditions/experiences of women, men, intersectionality - in conflict and peacebuilding. The agenda has been prescient for understanding and addressing conflict and insecurity in recent decades. Yet with the abandonment of Afghan women during the US negotiations with the Taliban, and the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the WPS agenda and related human security and peacebuilding agendas of the international system have been under severe strain. This intensive 2-day seminar (14 hours) ＆ online review/teamwork will provide an overview of the evolving field of gender, peace and security. Drawing on empirical research and practice, the modules will address the following issues: Historical and geopolitical evolution and context in which the WPS and GPS fields have arisen; Attaining SCR 1325 and the expansion of the WPS policy agenda with attention to subsequent resolutions and key pillars of this agenda – notably women’s participation in peace and security, protection issues, peacekeeping and conflict prevention including conflict related sexual violence. Implications of the Afghan withdrawal, Ukraine conflict, rising authoritarianism and extremisms on gender, peace and security issues. Gender analysis and the practical application of a gendered lens to key mediation, security and peacebuilding and security processes. Experiences and lessons from women’s peace coalitions and women’s contributions to peacebuilding including countering/preventing violent extremism Discussion of Sexual violence in conflict Women and peacekeeping including issues of sexual exploitation and abuse The class will involve a mix of interactive discussions, lectures and group exercises. The course will enable students to question ‘business as usual’ and prepare them to undertake better research, analysis, practice and policy careers within peacebuilding and related fields. The course will cover a combination of theory and real-world cases, helping to contextualize many of key concepts covered in the course. The full-day sessions also provide an opportunity for the professor and students to exchange lessons and reflections regarding their experiences in the workplace, career paths and prospects in the field of international peace and security, with attention to the changing geopolitical environment.

INAF U6394 Writing About War: Seeking Narratives in Conflict. 3.00 Points.

This intensive writing seminar explores the special challenges of creating narrative and assessing truth claims in the context of violent conflict. In this course, you will grow as a writer through extensive practice reporting, writing, revising your work, and editing your peers. We will engage with a pressing matter of our age: how to evaluate facts and context and create compelling and precise narratives from the fog of war. A growing swathe of the world, including many countries that are nominally not at war, are currently experiencing pre- or post-conflict conditions. Through discussions, reading, and writing, seminar participants will learn the mechanics of covering conflict and the politics of war- and peace-making. We will read accounts produced in journalism, policy analysis, advocacy, literature, and philosophy. Students will produce original reported narrative writing about conflict, which they may try to place for publication. Students will have to write or revise an original piece almost every week. The skill set cultivated by this class will help anyone write about violent conflict (which includes its prelude and aftermath), whether they plan to do so for a reporting-driven NGO, as a policy analyst, or as a journalist. This course emphasizes good writing and critical thinking; grades will reflect participation, effort, clarity of thought, originality of reporting, and successful narrative craft. Students can draw on their own experiences and contacts – as well as the great wealth of resources in New York City – for story ideas and sources

INAF U6442 Failures and Successes of Three Decades of Peacemaking. 3.00 Points.

The return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan, coming after a twenty-year engagement of the international community, raised hard questions on the wisdom of intervening in the lives of others. Meanwhile, the wars in Syria and Yemen, in which there was no intervention, have generated immense humanitarian crises, while the short but decisive intervention in Libya, once trumpeted as an example of the responsibility to protect, has led to more than a decade of political crisis. At the same time, there is a return of older forms of conflict: interstate war, with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia; the Israel-Palestine conflict; a deterioration of relations between China and the United States that is sometimes described as a ”second Cold War.” Have we forgotten the lessons of the first Cold War? Have we unlearned the lessons from the crises of the 90’s (Somalia, Bosnia, Rwanda…)? Or has the world changed so radically that the lessons of the 90’s no longer apply? At a time when geopolitical confrontation is deepening, do we have the right frame of analysis and the right tools in the new landscape? Are there new lessons that we should learn from the last two decades? To answer those questions, we will go through several case studies – focusing on conflicts in which the United Nations has been involved only to better understand the causes of failure and, in some cases, of success but also to sharpen a definition of what can be called success. I will draw on my own experience as under-secretary-general for peacekeeping, as deputy of Kofi Annan when he tried to stop the Syrian conflict, and as chair of the board of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and CEO of the International Crisis Group. I will also call on a few experts and practitioners with specific experience in particular conflicts. Ultimately, we will test the validity of existing tools on several ongoing potential or active conflicts: Ukraine and Russia, Syria, Israel and Palestine.

INAF U6450 Conflict in the 21st Century: Rethinking Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution. 3.00 Points.

After a long period of decline, conflict is on the rise; the nature of conflict is also evolving, as new actors and new battlefields emerge, blurring the line that separates war and peace. We must adapt our strategies and tactics for conflict prevention and conflict resolution. The course will help students develop a conceptual framework for the understanding and resolution of contemporary conflicts, but it will be taught from a practitioner’s perspective, with a strong emphasis on policy challenges and dilemmas. When possible, practitioners who have been involved in the resolution of conflicts will contribute to the discussion. Each class discussion will be structured by specific questions which will confront students with conceptual, operational and ethical choices.

INAF U6490 Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Global Challenges. 3.00 Points.

Category: EPD:Political, HRHP, ICR, IO/UNS

This course explores both foundational and advanced aspects of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) within the context of contemporary warfare and provides an overview of International Human Rights Law (IHRL). It elucidates the mechanisms that establish, apply, and enforce rules in both domains. The course develops students' critical analytical and research skills. Contemporary warfare case studies are used methodically, supplemented by interactive activities and simulations. It also addresses the roles and capacities of international courts and tribunals in prosecuting perpetrators. The structure, content, and methodology of the course are designed to achieve specific objectives and outcomes for students, enabling them to navigate complex humanitarian landscapes effectively. By the end of the course, students will not only understand IHL’s core concepts and terminology but will also have developed analytical thinking regarding key rules and relevant international bodies. They will enhance their collaboration and communication skills through practical activities aimed at addressing global challenges in the protection of victims. They will practice formulating law-based, action-oriented proposals and key research questions, which are central to further work at Columbia, as well as international organizations, the media, and humanitarian institutions. The course uses interactive elements such as a whiteboard platform, simulations of current conflict case studies, and peer teaching, fostering an engaging and collaborative learning environment. Through a case analysis framework—specifically developed by the professor for this course—students will gain the capacity to properly approach the IHL elements of humanitarian crises, outlining the steps to follow and the skills to apply. The course examines the challenges to IHL and the application of protective rules in major wars and armed conflicts, such as those in Ukraine, Gaza, Ethiopia, Congo, Syria, Yemen, and Myanmar. Fundamental questions guide the exploration of current global challenges and tendencies resulting from these wars in ensuring adherence to international legal standards. Broader areas essential to understanding and addressing these challenges in legal protections and mitigating the impacts of warfare will be coherently discussed. Some of these fundamental questions include: What protection do the Geneva Conventions provide to internees, prisoners, and hostages, and what are the challenges in ensuring humane treatment in asymmetric wars? Do civilians lose protection when they participate in hostilities or are used as human shields? How do international laws regulate indiscriminate warfare and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and what are the legal implications of using missiles, drones, indiscriminate weapons, and AI? How can the use of starvation and the targeting of humanitarian workers and protected facilities such as hospitals, schools, and UN compounds be judged? Broader areas for reflection include the application of the law to non-state armed groups; the value of general protection for specifically protected persons, such as women and children, and objects, such as hospitals; the substance of the proportionality principle in modern warfare; the long-term effects of warfare on the environment; and the role of international and national courts in prosecuting war criminals

INAF U6546 Artificial Intelligence and Conflict Prevention: Practical, Policy, and Ethical Dimensions. 3.00 Points.

Category: EPD:Political, ICR, ISP, TMAC

In this course, we will review several case studies in which AI technologies have been (and are being) developed with the express purpose of better predicting and understanding human conflict dynamics. The course instructor will draw on his own experience developing AI tools for multilateral organizations, as well as on a wide range of literature from both academia and policy research. Ultimately, the course is designed to further students' overall understanding of the practical, policy, and ethical aspects of the introduction of AI technologies in international peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts (in particular, the UN conflict prevention/response architecture).

INAF U6549 Peacebuilding After Mass Violence. 3.00 Points.

Category: EPD:Political, ICR

Prerequisite: Instructor-Managed Waitlist. How can we build peace in the aftermath of extensive violence? How can international actors help in this process? This seminar focuses on international peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding efforts in recent conflicts. It adopts a critical, social science approach to the topic of building peace (it is not a class on how to design and implement peacebuilding programs, but rather a class on how to think about such initiatives). It covers general concepts, theories, and debates, as well as specific cases of peacebuilding successes and failures. Throughout the course, students will acquire a broad understanding of the concepts, theoretical traditions, and debates in the study of peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding. The course also will introduce students to new issues in the field, such as the micro-foundations of peace settlements, the importance of local perceptions, and the attention to the everyday in the study of conflict-resolution. Furthermore, by the end of the semester, students should have an in-depth understanding of some of the most salient peace processes in recent years, including those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and the former Yugoslavia. Interested students should join the waitlist and make sure that they attend the first class meeting.Fall 2024 Schedule: The class meets weekly on Tuesdays (4:10 - 6 pm) from September 3 to October 15, and then for two full Saturdays (10 am - 5 pm, including a one-hour lunch break) on October 26 and November 16

INAF U6576 Data and Conflict. 3.00 Points.

This course equips students for humanitarian, human rights, foreign policy, and political risk jobs that require real-time interpretation and analysis of conflict data. The course will introduce students to contemporary open-source data about conflict events, fatalities, forced displacement, human rights violations, settlement patterns in war zones, and much more. Students will learn about how these data are generated, what they reveal, what they obscure, and the choices analysts can make to use conflict data transparently in the face of biases. Then, students will learn introductory skills to visualize conflict data in R and ArcGIS Pro. The objective is to give students the foundations to go further independently after the course using open-source training material and trouble-shooting portals. Each student will choose a conflict-related policy problem they will investigate

INAF U6751 International Human Rights Law. 3.00 Points.

Priority Reg: HRHP Concentration. The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the legal regime that exists--or is absent--to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights. This course is intended to introduce students to international human rights through laws, institutions, and advocacy strategies. In this class, we approach human rights law from a practitioner's perspective, which is to say that we are most interested in exploring concrete opportunities for realizing rights once we understand their theoretical and legal bases. But to start, what is a right? What are the various legal sources of authority for these rights? What are the instruments we can utilize--and how can we utilize them--to try to advance the range of rights from civil and political to economic, social, cultural, and environmental? Who is responsible for protecting and advancing rights, and who may be held accountable for their violations? Does the existence of a right necessarily indicate the existence of a remedy? In the past decade, human rights advocacy has extended into new realms, well beyond the 'traditional' bounds of violations by repressive governments. Despite the fact that the intersection of human rights with other social and economic justice concerns, including the environment, corporate accountability, and health, has strengthened, questions remain as to how human rights lawyers and advocates can effectively use the law to "enforce" those rights. As a way to strengthen the law, advocates have pushed the boundaries of the tools of human rights advocacy: 'naming and shaming' is still at the core, but public-private engagement to negotiate long-term monitoring programs for private corporations, calls to rights-based programming, litigation, and other tactics are now nearly routine. In this class, we will learn the law but also explore tools for assessing when, where, and how the law matters. We will explore developments in human rights and the environment, gender analysis, intersections between human rights and humanitarian action, and corporate accountability. The course will endeavor to provide an overview of the range of substantive and procedural rights and the mechanisms and gaps in their enforcement. Attendance in the first class session is mandatory.

INAF U6564 Applied Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution: Fieldwork Competencies. 3.00 Points.

This course exposes students to conceptual and practical skills needed to develop a reflective practice orientation to applied professional work in international peace building and conflict resolution. The class focuses on skills for designing, implementing, and evaluating conflict resolution interventions. During the semester, students co-design projects, creating specific objectives and activities in collaboration with a Project Supervisor in a pre-selected field-based partner institution. Students are encouraged to work in teams of 2-3 in the course. Students implement the project during the summer, taking into consideration changes on the ground, through internships under the guidance of their field-based Project Supervisors. Students return in the fall to deliver a report of their activities in the field reflecting on their experiences and presenting their findings to the SIPA community. The course supports students in developing critical practical skills and experiences in managing a conflict resolution project while exploring the professional field of applied conflict resolution. This course requires instructor permission in order to register. Please add yourself to the waitlist in SSOL and submit the proper documents in order to be considered.

INAF U6762 Risk Management for UN Crisis ＆ Post-crisis Responses. 3.00 Points.

The objective of the class is to introduce students to the practice of risk management as a tool for enabling delivery across the range of UN responses in crisis and conflict contexts, including in the areas of peace and security, human rights, development and humanitarian support. The class emphasizes skills development and their application to concrete UN crisis responses

INAF U6776 Mediation in a World in Flux. 1.50 Point.

This course examines the challenges and opportunities facing international peacemaking, with a particular focus on mediation as a tool to facilitate political solutions to violent conflict. Complementing other courses offered by CICR, it will provide students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of how different peacemakers and mediators – the UN and other multilateral actors, states and non-governmental organizations – are approaching the changing realities of conflict and global politics. What are the factors that impede contemporary efforts to resolve conflict? How have mediators adapted, and how should they adapt in the future, to rapid changes in geopolitics, the fragmentation of non-state armed groups and an ever-more crowded mediation field, all while resources for peace and humanitarian assistance are in decline and previously agreed norms are meeting resistance? When and how can mediators encourage conflict parties to address rapidly evolving conflict issues, including the impacts of the climate emergency and evolving digital technologies on conflict dynamics and peace processes?

INAF U6802 International Law. 3.00 Points.

Designed for non-lawyers, this course explores the pressing challenges of international law governing the actions of states, international organizations, multinationals, and civil society. The course strengthens participants' analytical and debate skills while providing practical tools and up-to-date knowledge of international law methodologies. Key areas of international law discussed will include general questions such as treaty application, state responsibility and the responsibility of global companies, and the functioning of international organizations as well as specific substantive areas such as human rights, global health, the environment, and climate change, the world economy, peace and conflict, and serious international crimes. Students will engage directly with current, critical global issues, such as the war in Ukraine, broader conflicts in the Middle East, ongoing plastic waste negotiations in the UN, the future of the UN climate change conferences, the WHO approach to global health reform, and regulatory frameworks on artificial intelligence. We use case studies drawn from urgent, real-world scenarios such as the South China Sea crisis, US countermeasures against cyber operations, Elon Musk’s Starshield program, the UN's Digital Platforms Code of Conduct proposal, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, WTO disputes on intellectual property rights, the ICJ opinions on the Chagos Archipelago and on the “Occupied Palestinian Territory,” and the enhanced role of the International Criminal Court as key learning tools. This course enables students to understand the foundations of international relations, the interaction among states, and the roles of key international organizations. The key learning outcomes include: 1. Grasping core concepts and terminology of international law and understanding its formation. 2. Developing logical thinking about key rules and areas of international law and the work of relevant bodies. 3. Researching international law topics and applying and critiquing major frameworks to understand global political and social changes. 4. Enhancing group work and communication skills through activities such as drafting legal texts, organizing assignments, and making presentations in simulated classroom settings. By the end of the course, students will enhance their collaboration and communication skills through practical activities aimed at addressing global challenges in the protection of victims. They will practice formulating law-based, action-oriented proposals and key research questions, which are central to further work at Columbia, as well as international organizations, the media, and humanitarian institutions. The course uses interactive elements such as a whiteboard platform, simulations of current conflict case studies, and peer instruction, fostering an engaging and collaborative learning environment. Through a case analysis framework—specifically developed by the professor for this course—students will gain the capacity to properly approach the IHL elements of humanitarian crises, outlining the steps to follow and the skills to apply

INAF U8189 Politics of History and Reconciliation. 3.00 Points.

Category: EPD:Political, HRHP, ICR

Since the end of the Cold War historical memory has come to play an increasing role in international and intranational conflicts. In addition numerous countries which are transitioning from dictatorship to democracy have focused on the gross historical violations of the previous regime. But not all. The question is how does a focus on the past facilitate present reconciliation? Societies are faced with the expectation that they will attend to the crimes of previous regimes. But what are crimes in historical perspective? And what are the standards for historical responsibility? How does historical conflict and reconciliation differ from approaches to immediate accountability for the past in newly democratic societies? The course examines these political and ethical dilemmas in a comparative historical perspective.

INAF U8358 Foreign Policy - Thinking Outside the Box. 1.50 Point.

This course, led by former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, offers a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insights from a seasoned diplomat experienced in navigating the complexities of global politics. Over six weeks, students will explore innovative approaches to foreign policy that challenge conventional paradigms, with a focus on feminist perspectives, conflict resolution strategies, and environmental considerations. Through engaging discussions, case studies, and guest lectures, participants will develop a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted challenges facing today's world. This course is designed to inspire future leaders in international affairs by equipping them with critical thinking skills and practical knowledge necessary to drive change in their careers and beyond

PUAF U6801 Negotiation ＆ Conflict Resolution. 3.00 Points.

There are two purposes to this course: 1. to develop your ability to negotiate in a purposeful, principled and effective way; and 2. to teach you how to build consensus and broker wise agreements with others. Negotiation is a social skill, and like all social skills you have to practice it if you want to get better at it. To give you the chance to practice, we'll do a number of simulated negotiations in and out of class. We'll also use lectures, case studies, exercises, games, videos, and demonstrations to help you develop your understanding. As we advance in the course, our focus will shift from simple one-on-one negotiations to more complex ones involving many parties, agents, coalitions, and organizations

REGN U6149 Energy, Corporate Responsibility ＆ Human Rights. 3.00 Points.

This class examines how to reconcile the differing/conflicting interests/goals of energy, and mining, companies and the public interest (e.g. governments); how to negotiate PPP agreements; understand the function/impact of laws and international trade agreements; and determine how CSR, especially environment and anti-corruption, and human rights apply. Case studies of multi-billion international energy pipeline projects, including TAP in Albania and Greece, TAPI in Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, BTC in Georgian and the Caucasus and , for comparative purposes, the controversial Keystone in US and Canada, will be the prism/focus for analysis. The class is dynamic and cross-disciplinary.

REGN U6410 Social Movements ＆ Citizenship in Africa. 3.00 Points.

This course focuses on social movements and citizenship in sub-Saharan Africa to examine how people form political and social movements and deploy citizenship strategies within social, historical, and economic structures that are both local and global. It draws on readings and lectures from scholars in history, political science, anthropology, sociology, and African studies to explore the following topics and themes: histories and theories of social movements and citizenship; cities and social movements and citizenship; citizenship outside the nation-state; social movements and democracy; citizenship as a creative enterprise that emphasizes claim-making and improvisation; citizenship within imperial, international, and national contexts; infrastructures, claim-making, and coalition building; opposition, leadership and democracy; and social movements of African youth and women. This course features guest lectures by and discussions with French and American scholars from Sciences-Po, Universite Paris 1, NYU, and Columbia, and is part of the Joint African Studies Program (JASP) at the Institute of African Studies that is supported by the Partnership University Fund (PUF) and the French Alliance Program at Columbia. It includes foundational readings on concepts, theories, and histories of social movements and citizenship in Africa as well as in-depth case studies on selective themes by various experts working on sub-Saharan Africa. It is unique insofar as it offers a strong foundation in social movements and citizenship while exposing students to in-depth case studies by leading experts working in a variety of disciplines and geographical contexts. All lectures and discussions are conducted in English.

REGN U6719 Middle East Conflicts ＆ Global Security. 3.00 Points.

This course analyzes the impact of domestic and regional conflicts in the Middle East on global security. Key concepts include: regime change, revolution, insurrection, conflict management, security sector reform, arms transfers, nuclear proliferation, and counterterrorism. These conceptual tools are used for comparative analysis of three sub-regional conflict zones (Egypt/Syria/Lebanon, Iraq/Iran/Saudi Arabia and Palestine/Jordan/Israel), each of which has galvanized substantial global engagement.

REGN U6858 Rise of China ＆ the World. 3.00 Points.

Category: ICR, MIA Core: Interstate Relations, Regional

What does the rise of China mean for the world? In this seminar, we will discuss various questions around this theme. The seminar is organized in three parts. Part I introduces international and domestic sources of explanations as levels of analysis. Part II focuses on China’s rising material (economic and military) and soft power as instruments of influence. Part I and Part II serve as the analytical foundation for the subsequent sections. In Part III, we will have in-depth discussions on six persistent and emerging topics on the international politics of China. We start with China’s grand strategy, domestic public opinions, and global governance. We then focus on the Belt and Road Initiative and US-China relations as two specific cases. We end by discussing how the Covid- 19 pandemic could affect the rise of China and the world order. This course will emphasize both substantive knowledge on specific issues and the analytical skills to make well-reasoned arguments supported by evidence

REGN U8757 Ukrainian Foreign Policy: Russia, Europe and the US. 3.00 Points.

Category: EPD:Political, ICR, ISP, Regional

The newly revised 3 point seminar-like course deals with the performance of independent Ukraine on international arena, its relationship with major powers: Russia, Europe and the US and the trajectory of its foreign policy. Having illegally annexed Crimea and conducting a proxy war in Eastern Ukraine, Russia has challenged the basic principles of international law, numerous bilateral agreements and threatening global peace and security. What is to be done to rebuff the aggressor? Can diplomacy still play a role? These and other issues are dealt with in this course. Special emphasis is made on the assessment of current conflict with Moscow and on the new trends in foreign policy doctrine. The issues of national security and current political situation are dealt with extensively. The course delivers first-hand insights by a career diplomat, who has been actively involved in the implementation of Ukrainian foreign policy for over three decades. The format of the course will encourage active dialogue and analytical reflection on the part of the students. The course is aimed at attracting both graduate and advanced undergraduate students

SIPA U6700 Inside the Situation Room. 3.00 Points.

Prerequisite: Course Application. In an era increasingly defined by geopolitical competition, it is more important than ever for future policymakers to understand why and how foreign policy decisions are made. Inside the Situation Room, co-taught by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo, employs insights from diverse academic fields—including political psychology, domestic politics, and international relations—and the direct experience of high-level principals in the room to understand the key factors which underpin a nation’s most crucial decisions. This course allows students to engage with a range of case studies and examine decision-making in a variety of historical and contemporary contexts, from the search for Osama bin Laden, to the “red line” in Syria, to negotiating with Iran. Students will be taught how to analyze and understand the complex interplay between individual psychology, domestic politics, public opinion, bureaucracy, the international environment, and other factors which feed into decisions about foreign policy—from crisis diplomacy to the use of force, signaling and perception, intelligence and its analysis, the deployment of other instruments of statecraft, and more. Through this course, students will think carefully and analytically about how leaders and other actors view the world, how they arrive at their decisions, and how various social, political, and psychological factors shape the policies they devise to promote their interests abroad. For more information, visit: https://www.sipa.columbia.edu/situationroom