Author(s): Ibrahem Mohammad Alnawafleh
War is an ancient human phenomenon, as old as man. Although it is historically destined to halt, its flames nevertheless have not always been put off and man has not been spared from its consequences. By reviewing human history, we find that times of war have overcome times of peace. Wars and armed conflicts on this planet were affected by the periods of time and the prevalent international conditions, and they differ from one region to another. More significantly, features of war changed during the post-bipolar international era with the collapse of the Eastern Bloc led by the Soviet Union. It has become more sophisticated and deadly on civilians in addition to its devastating effects on military personnel and installations. The methods and mechanisms of warfare have also changed in the post-Cold War era; an era in which the so-called international unipolarity prevailed and in which the United States of America dominated as a superpower. The post-Cold War era witnessed an active role for mercenaries and warlords; occasionally referred to as shadow soldiers, establishing insurance companies comprised of mercenaries to provide protection on demand. This is ultimately against the United Nations Conventions which stipulate the prohibition of the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the phenomenon of war in the post-Cold War era, exploring the nature of the new international order and the extent of its contribution to armed conflicts. The study also examines the concepts, methods, characteristics, and objectives of war, in addition to the role of ethnicity in the war in the post-Cold War era.