Ralph Zuljan Archive

War and International Relations

The articles listed here represent some of my thoughts on war, warfare and international relations. The reader might be surprised by some of the international relations oriented commentaries, most of which were written over a decade ago, to realize that very little has changed over the course of that time.

The Genocidal Mindset

The psychological distancing individuals achieved through the bureaucratic and technological developments produced during the war made genocidal behavior universally conceivable in the context of a modern industrialized state at war.

Ideologies at War

The imperialist world order died on the battlefields of the Great War. From its ashes arose three forms of socio-political organization which would fight an even bloodier war aimed at determining which of the competing ideologies would govern the post-imperial world. Under the banners of democracy, communism and facism, armies once again marched into battle.

Democracies at War?

Whether or not democracies will go to war with other democracies is an intensely debated topic in the study of international relations. Acceptance of this philosophical assertion might have important ramifications for the policies of democratic leaders and the future of warfare.

Lest we... forgot

It is important to remember that the way we got here was through a vicious bloodletting known as World War II. It was necessary and inevitable because we have found no better way of altering established power relationships to reflect reality.

Dresden Burning

Bombing Dresden had no impact on the outcome of World War II in Europe but it highlighted nagging doubts in the Allied camp over the morality of the strategic bombing campaign.

Principles and the First Gulf War 1990-91

The Gulf War was one of the few wars in history fought specifically over a principle, respect for borders. It was a war fought against the idea of allowing the use of military aggression to resolve a territorial dispute.

Women and the Military

To suggest that a statistical variation in upper body strength or the like is all that underlies the historically evident exclusion of women from battle seems rather trite. Evidence of female fighting ability is not enough to overcome the long-standing exclusion of women from battle.

Peace in Palestine

For Israelis and Palestinians, peace is just not a priority. They would rather haggle over fine print. In essence, they don't agree, don't expect to agree, and are merely exploring the extent of their disagreement.

Global Military Domination

Since the US-led intervention in Iraq, a lot has been written about American intentions to make use of its massive military superiority to somehow dominate the world.

Intervention in Iraq

International interest in Iraq prior to the US-led intervention in 2003 arose from the exceptional status this country occupied in the decade since the Gulf War 1991. The Bush administration made a concerted effort to build an international consensus on a forcible regime change in Iraq.

Target Iran: American Options

Published discussions have suggested everything from diplomacy to sanctions to air strikes to a limited ground war to a regime changing war on Iran to prevent its acquisition of nuclear weapons. Even the use of tactical nuclear weapons has not been discounted.

Five Million Others?

Americans tend to speak of the 11 million victims of the Holocaust. However, while there is general agreement on the death of 6 million Jews it is not at all clear who exactly is to be counted as the 5 million others that perished through systematic extermination.

Copyright © 2018 Ralph Zuljan