Summary of Topic:

Introduction

International conflicts surround us, therefore it is important to better understand that nature, cause and consequences of the conflict. In the case of US Afghan war of 2001, which has been viewed by various models of International conflict, we shall apply certain models of international conflict. Russel Leng is the author of the article ‘Crisis Behaviour and War’, who contends that “growing evidence suggests that certain patterns of interstates crisis escalation are highly associated with war” (Leng; 1993). Using the case of US war against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, the paper aims to elucidate that two-third of the times states that employ escalating coercive bullying strategies found themselves in crisis that escalated into war.

Aims and objectives

The paper aims to explain the US-Afghan war through crisis escalation model of Russel Leng. The model will elucidate that two-third of the times states that employ escalating coercive bullying strategies found themselves in crisis situation that escalated into war. Meanwhile the paper will also be exploring other theories of international conflict.

• To explore the theories of International conflict
• To analyse the US-Afghan war 2001
• To explain the US- Afghan war 2001 through the Crisis Escalation Model by Russel Leng
• To find out the other similar approaches to Russel Leng’s Crisis Escalation Model

Research Questions

• How different theories of International Conflict explain the nature, cause and consequences of war?
• What does the Crisis Escalation Model of Russel Leng tell about the US-Afghan war 2001?
• What are the constraints faced by these political theories? (Including the theory by Russel Leng)

Methodology

The research will use the following methodology:

• Secondary data collection method
• Qualitative approach
• Exploratory research design