Afghanistan: The US as a Superpower

Definitions…

• Superpower: “great power plus great mobility of power” (Fox, Super-Power, p. 21)

• Neo-Imperialism: “the dominance of some nations over others by means of unequal conditions of economic exchange” (TEXT)

• Terrorism: “Threats or attacks against civilians” (TEXT) – can be state based or non-state based, although US denies this concept.

Definitions…

• International Law: “A set of rules generally regarded and accepted as binding in relations between states and nations. These rules are a result of treaties, agreements and customs. International law is dissimilar to domestic law in that it is hard to regulate, enforce, and apply.” (TEXT)

Conflicts pre-post 1991

• How is Afghanistan different from:– Gulf War– Bosnia– Kosovo– Rwanda– Somalia

Causes of Afghan War

• 9/11 Attacks• US maintain power• Ideology: Fundamentalist Islam v. Capitalist

America – Clash of Civilisations

• Soviet War in Afghanistan / Somalia

Casualties

Deaths

• http://www.icasualties.org/oef/Nationality.aspx?hndQry=US

Success?