This class will introduce you to the basic approaches in international relations theory to study the nature, the issues and ideologies, as well as the dynamics of war and peace in the international system. In addition to the “ conventional” (i.e., state-based) forms of warfare, you will be introduced to “ unconventional” forms (i.e., involving other actors and tactics), such as terrorism and “ cyber- warfare,” as well as to the increasingly important area of ethnic conflicts and humanitarian interventions and peace operations.