Israel and The Middle East

There have long been significant difficulties in the relationship between the Arabs and the Israelis, mainly centered upon the recognition of a Palestinian State, which has led to many armed conflicts and complications with relationships with other countries. Why did the recognition of a Palestinian State prove so complex?

• How have relations between the Arabs and the Israelis served to influence their relationships with Western States?

• Why has the Arab-Israeli conflict gone on for so long?

• What is the most significant event that most effectively symbolises the breakdown of relations between the Arabs and the Israelis?

• How successful have Western attempts proved to be in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict?

• What needs to be done to cement relations between the Arabs and the Israelis?

• Can a Palestinian State ever be recognised?

• Compare and contrast the recognition sought for a Palestinian State with that of Tibet - which is more likely?

• Why events were not resolved when the Arab-Israeli conflict descended into war?

• On the basis of past events, how could the UN be used to resolve this conflict?

European Union (eu)

The EU served to cement relations between the countries that were party to the Union with a view to establishing closer ties between the nations on all social, political and economic matters, for the good of the EU and its many member states. How successful have the ideals of the EU proved to be in structuring international relations?

• What is the most significant achievement of the EU?

• How could the EU be considered flawed in forming closer international relations between member states?

• Why could the EU be considered discriminatory to the formation of relations with nations beyond it? How could it be considered little more than a 'boys club'?

• How has allowing Eastern European countries into the EU served to detract from the ideals of the Union and the relations already forged?

• To what extent has the EU's formation been influenced by the understanding of the formation of the US?

• What aspect of the EU could be considered most detrimental to international relations? Why? What does this mean for the political standing of the Union?

• To what extent has a 'Single European Entity' been achieved? In the context of international relations, is this a good thing?

• Why was a 'Single European Entity' not possible sooner? Why were international relations not previously conductive to it?

• To what extent could the EU be said to be similar to the Soviet Union? Does this mean the Soviet Union was a good thing?

International relations after the Second World War

In the immediate aftermath of war, in Europe in particular, many countries faced a great deal of problems as they sought to rebuild. Social unrest and economic instability were particularly prominent, as people struggled to justify their existence, whilst many in authority took advantage of this instability. This was an important time in politics and a topic relating to international relations after the Second World War would make for an interesting politics. To what extent was Germany's division illustrative of the state of international relations at this time? Would a 'united' Germany have led to closer international relations?

• How did the state of Europe in the wake of war make many countries susceptible to the Soviet Union and their communist ideals?

• What were the War's aims? Did it achieve them?

• How were European relations effectively structured for the next fifty years by the immediate aftermath of war?

• How did the 'Cold War' start? What were its most significant influences on international relations?

• How did the effects of the 'Cold War' spread so quickly? How was it resolved?

• What was the biggest achievement in international relations in the aftermath of War?

• How successful were the reparations provided by the US in securing countries against the threat provided by the Soviet Union?

• Why were nuclear weapons developed? How did they affect international relations?