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1 CHAPTER 6: MANAGING PEACE AND SECURITY: DETERRENCE AND DIPLOMACY QUESTION 1 : The following are reasons conflicts occur among countries. Conflict over border territory Conflict over scarce resources Conflict over ideological differences Which of these is a more likely reason to explain the outbreak of conflict among countries? Explain your answer. Competition over border territory is an important cause of conflict among countries. A country will claim control over a certain land if it is important to its defence and national pride. If one country tries to extend control by taking over territories which another country sees as rightfully theirs and hence as a matter of pride, will do something to protest, conflict will result. For example, the border line between India and China was not clear because most of it lies in the inaccessible Himalayas. China did not agree to the border line drawn by the British when they ruled India. When India became independent in 1947, China and India disputed over Aksai Chin Plateau and the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), the 2 border territories that extends furthest into China and so important for China’s defence. China contested India’s presence in these areas, for example when it built a road on the Aksai Chin plateau. The Indian government protested but China argued that the border had not been fixed. However, India protested that China had violated India’s territorial rights and that the boundaries had been clearly defined by the British. In 1959, fighting broke out in these regions and in 1962, war broke out between them. It is a matter of national pride for India not to allow China to challenge her control over territories that she believes as legally hers. Not to defend these territories would threaten India’s sovereignty as it could invite claims for more territories later. Competition over scarce natural resources between countries is also an important cause of conflict between countries because they are unevenly distributed. Countries with less may use force to get more resource. It becomes more important when the resource is necessary for survival and economic growth; a country may use force to gain more or to prevent another country from claiming the same resource. For example, Iceland and Britain disputed over fishing grounds in the 1970s. Iceland did not have many natural resources and depended on its fishing industry for its survival. Fresh fish and fish products make up MP1: how GF1 is linked to outbreak of conflict Example and elaboration Remind marker you have logically linked GF1 to outbreak of conflict MP2: how GF2 is linked to outbreak of conflict Example and elaboration Remind marker that you have logically linked GF2 to outbreak of conflict

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Page 1: Chp 6 SEQ Compilation

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CHAPTER 6: MANAGING PEACE AND SECURITY: DETERRENCE AND DIPLOMACY

QUESTION 1 : The following are reasons conflicts occur among countries. Conflict over border territory Conflict over scarce resources Conflict over ideological differencesWhich of these is a more likely reason to explain the outbreak of conflict among countries? Explain your answer.

Competition over border territory is an important cause of conflict among countries. A country will claim control over a certain land if it is important to its defence and national pride. If one country tries to extend control by taking over territories which another country sees as rightfully theirs and hence as a matter of pride, will do something to protest, conflict will result. For example, the border line between India and China was not clear because most of it lies in the inaccessible Himalayas. China did not agree to the border line drawn by the British when they ruled India. When India became independent in 1947, China and India disputed over Aksai Chin Plateau and the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), the 2 border territories that extends furthest into China and so important for China’s defence. China contested India’s presence in these areas, for example when it built a road on the Aksai Chin plateau. The Indian government protested but China argued that the border had not been fixed. However, India protested that China had violated India’s territorial rights and that the boundaries had been clearly defined by the British. In 1959, fighting broke out in these regions and in 1962, war broke out between them. It is a matter of national pride for India not to allow China to challenge her control over territories that she believes as legally hers. Not to defend these territories would threaten India’s sovereignty as it could invite claims for more territories later.

Competition over scarce natural resources between countries is also an important cause of conflict between countries because they are unevenly distributed. Countries with less may use force to get more resource. It becomes more important when the resource is necessary for survival and economic growth; a country may use force to gain more or to prevent another country from claiming the same resource. For example, Iceland and Britain disputed over fishing grounds in the 1970s. Iceland did not have many natural resources and depended on its fishing industry for its survival. Fresh fish and fish products make up about 79% of Iceland’s total export. In the early 1970s the supply of fish around Iceland decreased by a third because fishermen from other European countries, especially from Britain, were overfishing around Iceland. After failing to get the United Nations to intervene, Iceland extended the zone of control of its fishing grounds from 50 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles beyond its shore. Britain did not recognize Iceland’s extended area and continued fishing there. This resulted in frequent collisions between Britain’s frigates protecting British fishing trawlers and Iceland’s Coast Guards. In February 1976, Iceland broke off diplomatic ties with Britain. The conflict was caused by Iceland’s unilateral action of extending control over a bigger fishing ground and using its coastguards to physically prevent British fishing vessels from fishing there. These were all motivated by Iceland’s wish to ensure her economic survival.

Conflicts are also caused by different ideology. A good example is the rivalry between democracy and communism. Each side felt that their way of life and values that are important to them are being threatened by the political ideology of the other side. So each side does all it could to spread its own ideological beliefs and at the same time to stop the other side from expanding. Thus, conflict results. An example is the conflict between North and South Korea. After World War II, Korea was divided into 2 halves at the 38th parallel. The northern part came to be controlled by the USSR and adopted a communist system. The southern part came under the USA and the UN and adopted a democratic system. The governments of the two Koreas each claimed the right to rule the whole Korean Peninsula. In June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea because it wanted the whole Korean Peninsula to be under communism. The USA and its allies, supported by the UN, defended South Korea because they did not want communism to spread to South Korea. They pushed the North Korean forces back to the 38th parallel. However, the US-led UN troops went on to invade North Korea in the hope of establishing democracy there. By 1951, the US-led troops had reached the Yalu River at the border between North Korea and China. Fearing that the war would spill over into China and not wanting

MP1: how GF1 is linked to outbreak of conflict

Example and elaboration

Remind marker you have logically linked GF1 to outbreak of conflict

MP2: how GF2 is linked to outbreak of conflict

Example and elaboration

Remind marker that you have logically linked GF2 to outbreak of conflict

MP3: how GF3 is linked to outbreak of conflict

Example and elaboration

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communism to end in North Korea, China joined the war and helped North Korea to push the UN troops back into South Korea. The UN troops counter-attacked and drove the Chinese army back to the 38 th

Parallel. Thus the invasion of South Korea by North Korea because of ideological differences quickly became a bigger conflict involving the USA and its Western allies on one side, and North Korea and China on the other side, because each side suspects that the other side wanted to forcefully impose their own ideology on the loser and they believe that they would suffer greatly under the new political system.

Remind marker that you have logically linked GF1 to outbreak of conflict

FINAL STAND (OPTIONAL) MANY WAYS TO WEIGH THE FACTORS. THREE ARE OFFERED BELOW:

All the reasons are equally likely to cause conflict as they are related to national interests and all countries want to protect their national interests. Control over scarce resources is in a country’s national interest if it is important to a country’s economic survival as in the case of fish for Iceland. Control of border territories is important for both India and China’s national interest as they have to do with national pride and defence. Even political ideology is related to national interest. For example, the USSR believed that it was in its national interest to surround itself with as many communist countries as possible. This explains why it set up a communist government in N Korea. It also explains why North Korea attacked S Korea and also why China helped N Korea to push the US-led troops back. Similarly it also explains why the US and the Western allies intervened to prevent the communist take-over of S Korea. Both sides felt that the ideology of the other side was a threat to their national interest because it would drastically change their way of life. No matter what the factor is, as long as it is related to national interests, it will cause conflict to break out between countries because all countries will want to protect their national interests.

Difference in political ideology is the most important cause of conflict because the impact is more serious. The rivalry between the 2 superpowers, the USA and USSR, became exported to other parts of the world, e.g. to Korea and Vietnam. The rest of the world felt the strain and tension. There was military buildup, spies and espionage activities, and the invention of more deadly weapons of mass destruction like guided missiles and nuclear weapons. Although no actual war broke out between the USA and USSR, the whole world lived in fear because the possibility of a nuclear war because greater because of their rivalry. This is unlike the other causes where the conflict and war were more or less confined to a specific geographical region. The Korean War, which broke out mainly because of different ideologies was a large scale war involving not just the two Koreas but also USA and its allies, China and the UN. Although communism has collapsed in the USSR and the Cold War has ended, the two Koreas remain divided, Korean families remain separated, and the relationship between North and South Korea remains tense. Technically, the Korean War has not ended; fighting stopped only because of a UN- brokered ceasefire. However, apart from the unique case of Korea, today, the rivalry between communism and capitalism/democracy is not that important because of the collapse of communism in the USSR and the willingness of communist countries like China to adopt a more open economy and to live harmoniously with the rest of the world. The world does not see communism as a serious threat anymore.

Whether or not these factors will result in war depends on how each country manages the conflict. Any one of these factors can lead to war. And any one of these factors can be easy or difficult to solve, depending on how the countries manage the conflict. The border conflict between India and China led to war when China refused to go to the negotiating table and took unilateral action to establish its claims; the war ended quickly because both sides decided to discuss the issue peacefully but the territorial conflict remains unresolved until today. In the case of Britain vs Iceland, it did not lead to war but there were clashes between Iceland’s coastguards and British frigates accompanying British fishing boats. The conflict was resolved because there was compromise and accommodation by both sides when they signed an agreement in 1976. Thus a war was averted. Similarly, the conflict caused by different ideological systems also need not necessarily lead to war because although the real rivalry was between the USA and the USSR, there was no actual war between these two superpowers. Most possibly it was because of the geographical distance between them. However, when they ‘sponsored’ two opposite sides in the same country – e.g. in Korea, war because of different ideology became more likely, not only because Korea used to be one country but because the two sides are geographical neighbours separated by an imaginary

MP4 (WEIGH)

Elaboration to support MP4

MP5 (WEIGH)

Elaboration to support MP5

MP6 (WEIGH)

Elaboration to support MP5

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line, the 38th parallel. The conflict started in 1947, but the Korean War started in 1950 because of North Korea’s act of aggression when it attacked South Korea.

QUESTION 2 : ‘Deterrence is more effective than diplomacy in managing national security’. Do you agree with the statement in relation to Singapore’s effort to manage conflict and ensure national security? Explain your answer.

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Deterrence is effective in helping Singapore to manage conflict and ensure her national security by enabling Singapore to be self reliant in preventing and protecting itself efficiently against threats. E.g. Singapore’s deterrence policy involves building a citizen armed force by enlisting able-bodied men into the army. Through NS, Singaporeans learn to defend their country and the bonding helps develop in them a sense of loyalty, patriotism and a shared destiny for Singapore. It also includes our own defence industry in order to equip our soldiers with advanced technology weapons so that they can defend the country effectively. Close networking and coordination among the various ministries further strengthen and enhance Singapore’s national security. These measures help to ensure Singapore’s national security because they help to prevent a potential threat. A potential aggressor will be deterred when it knows that it is up against a formidable citizen armed force that is well-trained and loyal, that also uses state-of the-art weapons and equipment developed by its own defence industry and that is fully coordinated with various ministries and non-government organizations in the country. These deterrence measures not only can prevent potential aggressors but they can also ensure that Singapore is able to protect itself and guarantee the least amount of damage and casualty in the event of a conventional military threat.However, diplomacy is also effective in safeguarding Singapore’s national security because through diplomatic efforts Singapore promotes greater cooperation, understanding and goodwill between itself and other countries which can help prevent conflict from happening at all or prevent it from escalating into violent conflicts. E.g. Bilaterally, Singapore has helped many countries in need including sending humanitarian aid to Indonesia when it was hit by an earthquake and tsunami. As a member of the regional grouping, ASEAN, Singapore has helped member countries like Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar with financial aid packages to assist them in their economic development. As a member of ASEAN also, Singapore is cooperating with other members to set up a single regional market by 2015 so as to effectively deal with the intense competition from China and India. All members of ASEAN will mutually benefit from such cooperation. By bringing countries in closer economic, cultural and political cooperation, ASEAN has thus enabled Singapore to forge better relations with its neighbours. Because of this, although there are still disagreements among member countries, warm ties between them continue because they have agreed not to allow the disagreements strain relations. Good relationships with other countries can help prevent conflicts because of the existence of friendship, understanding and mutual benefits from cooperation. Diplomacy is also important in Singapore’s effort to manage conflicts effectively.

Because of her diplomatic efforts, Singapore has access to various mechanisms or channels through which differences and disagreements between countries can be worked out peacefully. This would prevent conflicts from worsening and triggering wars that can affect Singapore directly or indirectly. E.g. one of ASEAN’s aims is to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss and resolve differences peacefully. This aim has helped countries in the region to solve many of the disputes that affected the region before the formation of ASEAN. Because of this, the region became politically stable, economically vibrant and thus attracted foreign investors. By being a member of the UN, Singapore is better able to manage conflict because it has several organs and mechanisms such as the Security Council, the General Assembly and the International Court of Justice [ICJ] that focus on ensuring world peace and security. The ICJ has helped Singapore and Malaysia to settle their dispute over the water agreements and land reclamation peacefully. Because of this, although there were disagreements, Singapore’s friendly tie with Malaysia was still maintained. Thus diplomacy is effective in managing conflict for many countries including Singapore because there is an underlying understanding that differences can be settled peacefully when you are friends or when you are part of the

MP1 – why GF1 is effective

Examples and elaboration

Remind marker what you have linked logically

MP2 – explain why GF2 is effective

Examples and elaboration

Remind marker what you have linked logically

MP3 – another reason why GF2 is effective

Examples and elaboration

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same organisation. Bilaterally, there is the diplomat whose job is to ensure understanding between the two countries. In both ASEAN and the UN, settling disputes peacefully is embodied as one of the main aims of these organizations.

Remind marker what you have linked logically

(OPTIONAL) FINAL STAND: Explain the equal importance of the GF1 and GF2 in Singapore’s context

Both deterrence and diplomacy are equally important because one cannot be fully effective without the other. That is why Singapore has adopted a two-pronged approach of diplomacy and deterrence as the strategy to safeguard her national security.

For a small country like Singapore, it is important to have both diplomacy and deterrence to be effective in safeguarding her national security. This is because diplomacy alone will not be enough to ensure peace and stability between countries. Diplomacy depends to a large extent on the willingness of countries to cooperate. This requires them to compromise and accommodate. Cooperation among countries is possible only when there is trust and when countries are willing to discuss and settle issues based on international laws. Sometimes, such conditions are not present e.g. when a country sees that it is in her national interest not to cooperate as in the case of the conflict between China and India, the clash between Iceland and Britain and the war between North and South Koreas. When this happens, diplomacy alone cannot guarantee that small countries like Singapore can protect its rights and national security. In such instances, diplomacy must be supported by deterrence.

Similarly, deterrence alone is also inadequate without diplomacy. Without good relations with other countries, a country which builds up its military strength will be suspected of aggressive intentions. It could lead to an arms race which would make the risk of war greater. Thus military deterrence alone will not protect Singapore’s national security. In addition, in the case of Singapore, no matter how strong our military is, it is limited by the country’s size, lack of resources and small population. On its own, Singapore will have problems in protecting itself against a larger and very determined aggressor, e.g. transnational terrorists who have no national boundaries, who have large networks of operatives, and who use unconventional methods to threaten a country’s security. It is in Singapore’s interest to promote diplomacy among other countries in the world by supporting regional and international organizations that not only promote cooperation, understanding and peaceful settlements of disputes, but that also that have members who are willing to work cooperatively against transnational terrorism. Any outbreak of war or instability in any part of the world will have adverse economic, social or political effects on Singapore’s national security either directly or indirectly. Thus, Singapore diplomatic relations with the countries in the region through ASEAN, and her diplomatic relations with countries in the whole world through the UN, has enabled her to better safeguard her security against possible terrorist threats. E.g. members of the UN cooperate to cripple terrorist activities by exchanging information and intelligence and by complying with UN measures such as to freeze known assets of terrorists and deny them travel. Because of this concerted world effort against terrorism, more than US$200 million in terrorist funds have been frozen and more than 4,000 terrorists have been arrested. Any success in preventing terrorists from carrying out their plans in any part of the world contributes to safeguarding Singapore’s national security. Cooperation with neighbouring countries and members of ASEAN led to the arrest of members of the Jemaah Islamiah and crippled their plan to attack some parts of Singapore. Given the nature of transnational terrorism, Singapore needs both deterrence and diplomacy to safeguard her security.

One side: Elaboration and examples linked to final stand

Other side: elaboration and examples linked to final stand

Reiterate final stand

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QUESTION 3: To what extent was peace and stability in Southeast Asia due to international diplomacy? Explain your answer.

International diplomacy, which is mainly carried out through membership in the UN, has played a key role in maintaining the peace and stability in SEA. The UN has the International Court of Justice which is an important way in which conflicts between countries are resolved peacefully. One example is the conflict between Singapore and Malaysia over the island of Pedra Branca. Both Malaysia and Singapore showed their support for international conflict resolution procedures by submitting their disputes to the UN arbitration courts and the ICJ. A second example which shows the importance of international diplomacy is the role of the UN in preventing conflicts in the region from worsening. When civil war broke out in Cambodia in the 1980s, the fighting groups were supported by countries outside SEA and the conflict would have escalated into a major one. However, the UN persuaded the different groups in Cambodia to stop fighting and form a new democratic government. Thus the peace and stability of SEA is maintained by international diplomacy as the affected parties with disputes readily agree to have the UN as their neutral arbitrator and to accept the decisions made. If there was no UN then there will not be any other organisation that is acceptable to both the parties. Thus, international diplomacy through the UN has contributed to peace and stability by ensuring that conflicts do not escalate into unmanageable proportions and are solved through international diplomacy rather

MP1: Explain how GF contributes to QF

Examples and elaboration

Clincher – remind

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than force and violence. marker what you have proven

However, bilateral diplomacy is also important to the the peace and stability in SEA. Bilateral diplomacy ensures that there are strong friendships and bonds that promote greater cooperation among countries in the region and enable them to reap mutual benefits. Such strong bilateral ties have been instrumental in forming new economic, cultural and humanitarian partnerships. For example, Singapore is constantly seeking ways to improve trade ties with her neighbours, and to maintain close cultural and social exchanges with Malaysia. Singapore is also ready to assist in humanitarian missions to any country in the world, especially in SEA. When there was an earthquake in 1990 in the Philippines, Singapore sent a medical team to assist in humanitarian and medical aid to the affected people. Besides that, because of her good bilateral ties with Indonesia, Singapore has also extended massive help to that country during times of natural disaster and calamities. During the 1998 Indonesian economic crisis and the earthquake and tsunami disasters in 2004, Singapore played an active role in providing technical and humanitarian assistance. The emphasis on forming strong bilateral friendships with countries in the region has produced win-win solutions, enhanced trade ties, and deepened understanding. Most importantly, one benefit is that it becomes unthinkable for two neighbours with such close ties to ever threaten one another’s peace and stability. Hence, the peace and stability in SEA is also due to the close bilateral ties that the countries in the region have with one another.

MP2: Explain how AF1 also contributes to QF

Elaboration and examples

Clincher – remind marker what you have proven

Regional diplomacy also plays an important role in ensuring the peace and stability in Southeast Asia. An important organisation that ensures close co-operation and stability of the countries within the region is ASEAN. ARF or ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meets regularly to provide occasions for ASEAN heads of state to discuss security issues and confidence-building measures with other dialogue partners like the USA, China, Japan, South Korea and India. These dialogues help to ensure that member states are willing to discuss and negotiate to come to a peaceful solution to problems rather than use force. Thus this actively helps to promote peace and security in SEA. E.g. The Spratley island dispute and the Litigan and Sipidan island dispute among member countries have not been escalated to higher degrees mainly because of regional diplomacy. Member states have pledged to solve such territorial disputes through negotiation and discussion rather than the use of force. ASEAN members are also cooperating economically to form a free trade zone known as AFTA. This is to combine forces economically so as to cope with the economic challenges from China and India. Thus regional diplomacy through ASEAN has promoted understanding and cooperation among member states and has contributed strongly to a climate of peace and harmony. The effectiveness of regional diplomacy has greatly aided disputing nations to resort to peaceful measures to solve their disputes and has increased their interdependence. All this contribute to the regions peace and stability.

MP3: Explain how AF2 also contributes to QF

Elaboration and examples

Clincher – remind marker what you have proven

QUESTION 4 : Here are three ways in which Singapore prevents potential aggressors from attacking the country:

Citizen Armed Force Total Defence Foreign military cooperation

Which do you think is the most important for Singapore? Explain your answer.

Having a citizen armed force is an important way for Singapore to prevent potential aggressors. All able-bodied male citizens in Singapore serve 2-years of full time National Service. They are trained to defend the country militarily and the common experience they undergo bond them and instils in them with a sense of loyalty, patriotism and a shared destiny for Singapore. They serve for another 10 years as Operationally Ready NS men when they attend refresher courses to ensure their competence in handling new weapons and new war tactics. This factor is important because it ensures that Singapore is militarily self-reliant and ready to defend its independence and survival by land, air or sea. It also ensures that Singapore has a large supply of well-trained and patriotic soldiers who are ready to defend Singapore at all times despite Singapore’s small population. A potential aggressor will know that Singapore has the capacity to respond with all its might and

MP1: GF1

Elaborate

Link to QF – show impact

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an attacker will suffer high casualties and would probably even fail in its battle against Singapore. It will think twice about attacking Singapore. Thus a citizen armed force deters aggressors and safeguards Singapore’s national security.

However, total defence is also important for Singapore to deter potential aggressors. Total Defence involves the whole population in a comprehensive and integrated defence strategy to deal with all kinds of threats and challenges. It is about different things that people can do in every sector of the society to strengthen their resilience as a nation. Collectively the 5 aspects of Total Defence ensure that the military is operationally ready to meet all challenges, that ordinary citizens are vigilant and alert, and know what to do during emergencies, that Singapore has a strong economy that will not break down during any crisis, that Singaporeans of all races and religions live and work harmoniously, and citizens are loyal and committed to Singapore, and that they have the will and mental strength to overcome challenges. Total Defence is important because potential aggressors will think twice about attacking Singapore if they know they face the entire nation and not just the armed forces. The enemy will realise that attacking Singapore would be a difficult and costly attempt which should be avoided.

MP2: GF2

Elaborate

Link to QF – show impact

Foreign military cooperation is also important in preventing potential aggressors from attacking Singapore. Firstly, it helps to boost Singapore’s military defence. For example, Singapore has agreements with countries like Australia and France to allow Singapore troops to train in their countries. It has agreements with neighbouring countries like Malaysia to conduct joint military training. Because of cooperation with other countries, Singapore is able to provide better training for its recruits. E.g. Singapore operates a jet flying training school in Australia. This enables our fighter pilots to further their skills as they can practise in an air space ten times the size of Singapore. This improves the fighting capacity of the SAF and so is important as deterrence. Secondly, Singapore is also a member of the FPDA or the Five Power Defence Arrangements which aims to preserve peace in the Asia-Pacific region by taking up joint action. The FPDA includes Singapore, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. By ensuring the security of the region, Singapore’s own security is further guaranteed. The potential aggressor will be deterred because it knows that when it attacks one country, it will also have to deal with the military retaliation of the other countries in the region. Furthermore, to deal with global threats like terrorism, individual efforts by countries are very important, but it will not be enough because terrorist groups have large networks all over the world, and they operate in unpredictable ways not confined to specific countries. Individually, each country is also limited in terms of resources, manpower and information-gathering capacity. To deal effectively with global threats like terrorism requires regional and global efforts and so military cooperation is necessary to protect any country’s national security. Hence, military cooperation with other countries is important to Singapore’s objective to deter potential aggressors.

MP3: GF3

Elaborate

Link to QF – show impact

Link to QF – show impact

Link to QF – show impact

[OPTIONAL]: FINAL STAND – WEIGH THE 3 FACTORS – many possible ways, choose one. Citizen Armed Force is the most important as it is the basis for the other two factors.

Without a citizen armed force, total defence will be incomplete because one aspect of total defence is military defence. Without our own military defence also, military cooperation with other countries would not be possible. Singapore’s small population and the needs of the economy makes the strategy of a citizen armed force necessary as we cannot afford to have a professional army. Lessons from WW2 when Singapore was dependent on the British army for its military defence also show the importance of have a military made up of loyal citizens instead to foreigners.

Although very important to Singapore’s defence strategy, on its own, a citizen armed force would not be adequate. In modern war, the entire population needs to be involved and an enemy can target the country’s economy, the country’s social cohesion and the people’s mind and confidence. An army cannot fully protect the country against such threats. Neither can an army be effective if it is not well-equipped. In addition, in a globalised world that has become so interconnected and where threats are not only directed at one specific country but at whole regions, the security of one country becomes interlinked with the security of other countries in the region. Hence, Singapore realizes that just having NS alone is not enough to guarantee its security. It has adopted other

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deterrence strategies such as Total Defence, having its own defence industry and military cooperation with other countries.

QUESTION 5: The intervention of the USA did nothing but worsened the Korean War. How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

The intervention of the USA did not worsen the Korean War. By sending troops to defend South Korea, the US, its allies, and the UN Security Council prevented the North Korean troops from taking over the whole of South Korea. They recaptured the territories in South Korea that were overrun by the North Korean troops and thus saved South Korea from communism. If the US had not intervened, the conflict would have worsened because the South would have been badly defeated by the militarily stronger North. The North would have gotten away with forcefully taking over a country by carrying out military aggression and worse still, the people of South Korea would have been forced to live under a system of government that they do not support. The rest of the region would have been their next target or would have felt threatened by such a violent communist takeover. The USA and its allies would not have allowed this to happen. A third world war could have broken out. The outcome would have been worst without the US intervention. Therefore, by militarily preventing the South from being forcefully taken over, US intervention did not worsen the conflict, but instead averted a more major war involving the whole region.

ONE SIDE: Do not agree

Elaborate

Explain

Clincher – show how explanation is linked to QF

However, what the USA did after that worsened the conflict. After driving the N Korean troops up the 38th parallel, the US-led UN troops, despite China’s warnings, continued to invade North Korea and reached as far north as the Yalu River near China. Feeling threatened, China moved its troops into North Korea. The Chinese army then pushed the US-led troops back into South Korea and more fighting took place in South Korea. US and UN troops counter-attacked and drove the Chinese troops back to the 38th parallel. In

OTHER SIDE: AgreeElaborate

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carrying on fighting beyond the 38th parallel, the US intervention did worsen the conflict. When they first entered the war, it was justified as they were defending S Korea. However, when they went on the offensive and attacked N Korea, the US was responsible for worsening the hostility as they were threatening the sovereignty and political ideology of N Korea. This worsened the conflict as the conflict became prolonged.

Explain

Clincher – show how explanation is linked to QF

Another way in which the US intervention worsened the conflict was that it dragged China into the conflict and thereby complicated it further. When the US-led troops reached the Yalu River at the border between China and N Korea, China feared for her own security as the war could spill into her territory. China was also interested in keeping N Korea as a close communist ally and so did not want the US troops to occupy N Korea. Hence, China sent troops to drive the US-led troops back to the 38th parallel and South Korea was invaded once again. The attacks, counter-attacks and counter-counter attacks prolonged and complicated the war which lasted from 1950 to 1953. The trauma and ravages of war increased for Koreans on both sides because of the involvement of so many military troops. Even though fighting stopped in 1953, bitterness and hostility between the two continues until today. North Korea has never accepted the fact that the USA, a foreign power, has prevented it from taking what it believes as rightfully belonging to N Korea. Since then, N Korea has become obsessed with building up its military strength and developing more deadly weapons that it threatens to use against S Korea. It is a psychological baggage that has affected the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula until today.

OTHER SIDE: AgreeElaborate

Explain

Clincher – show how explanation is linked to QF