International Conflicts and Their Resolution: Theoretical Issues

The chapter briefly presents the theoretical aspects of international conflicts and the ways of their resolution. After the Second World War more than 300 international conflicts occurred in the world. More than 200 of them have turned into armed conflicts that in many cases resulted in serious environmental consequences. War affects environment in different ways: direct damage to the landscape, fields, and forests, contamination of soil, water, and air including emission of radioactive substances, etc. In pursuit of creation of military, economic, and other problems for the enemy, the enemy’s natural environment can be deliberately and purposefully destroyed. This may include destruction of chemical, nuclear, and other industries, river dams, i.e. potentially dangerous industrial objects. New means of mass destruction are emerging as “climatic weaponry”. The ecological aspects of international conflicts require special attention of the professional society, including ecologists, economists, and specialists in international law.