Written in the middle of a pandemic, this book examines the effect of COVID-19 on regional and global security threats in the first 18 months of the crisis. Throughout history, epidemics have disrupted human civilisations, changed the structure of societies, decided the outcome of wars and prompted incredible technological innovation. Despite massive progress in science, institution-building and cooperation over the past 100 years, COVID-19 has revealed the weaknesses of a world under-prepared for a new disease – that had been widely expected and long overdue! This edited volume brings together leading security experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East to share their analysis of the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on major security threats, including the rise of terrorists and criminal networks and global power politics. The book highlights important lessons learnt from all corners of the planet, in particular the need for cross-sectional, regional and international cooperation and solidarity when it comes to facing any transnational security threat that does not respect political boundaries.
Author(s): Caroline Varin
Series: New Security Challenges
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2021
Language: English
Pages: 335
City: Cham
Foreword: COVID-19 and Security
How Has COVID-19 Undermined Security?
International Cooperation
The Domestic Front
Key Examples
Questions of Corruption, Climate Change and Inequality
Conclusion
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Praise for Global Security in Times of Covid-19
Contents
List of Contributors
Acronyms
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
Introduction
COVID and Global Security
The Social Contract and State Failure
The Rise of Violent Non-state Actors
A Return to Realpolitik
Human Security
Conclusion
Bibliography
2 Latin America: The Covid-19 Pandemic and Security in Latin America
Introduction
COVID-19 and Latin America
Security Before the Pandemic
State Capture
And the State?
Public Security and the State
Conclusion
Bibliography
3 The American Century in the Wake of COVID
Introduction
Beijing: The Global Challenger
Re-Engaging Europe: Repairing and Re-Energizing Old Relationships
The Iranian Question, a Chance to Reinforce Arms Control?
Conclusion
Bibliography
4 Europe: A Geographical Expression or Unity of Purpose?
Introduction
Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Great Power Competition
Common Security Concerns in the MENA Region
Russia
Saving the Iran Nuclear Deal
Shrinking Military Might: Putting the Emphasis on Multinational Cooperation
Preserving the Defense Industry
Deal or no Deal: A Rocky But Long-Standing Partnership
Mind the Gap—Britain and Europe's Security Interests May Drift Apart
Rule Britannia—The Impact of Boris Johnson
The Future of the JCPoA
China and the “Special Relationship”
Conclusion
Bibliography
5 Africa, Virus and Vulnerability: COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa
Introduction
Competing Narratives on COVID 19 and Africa’s Future
Alarmist Perspective
Optimist Perspective
Underlying Vulnerability of Africa to COVID-19
High Debt Burden
Dependence on Commodity Export
Decrepit Health System
Economic Marginality
Responses of African States to COVID-19 Pandemic
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Security and Stability in Africa
Conclusion
Bibliography
6 Long COVID and the New Middle East
Introduction
A Middle East of Parts
Fateful Years in the Middle East: 2020 and 2021
Balance of Power
United States of America
Russia
The EU27 and UK
China
The Impact on Alliances
What Next in the New Middle East
Bibliography
7 The Securitization of the Coronavirus in Asian Countries: A Paradox of National Security and Human Security During the COVID-19 Crisis
Introduction
Securitizing COVID-19: The Success of the Asian Countries’ Responses
The Screening of Travelers
The Establishment of COVID-19 Management Centre
The Announcement of States of Emergency
The Development of a Digital Platform
Impacts of Securitization on Human Security
Impact on the Political and Personal Dimension
Impact on the Economic Dimension
Conclusion
Bibliography
8 Europe and the New World Order
Introduction
The State of European Defense and Cooperation
A Growing Atlantic Rift and the Rise of Russia and China
Conflict and Insecurity in a Multipolar World
European Disintegration in the Wake of COVID-19
Conclusion
Bibliography
9 The Social Contract and Civil Unrest: The Tenuous Balance Between Freedom and Security
Introduction
Global Considerations
Belarus
Chile
China
France
Russia
The United Kingdom
The United States
Institutionalized Discrimination and Routinization of Violence
Two “Celebrated” Cases
COVID-19, the Social Contract, and Agenda Setting
The Problem with a Micro-Level Perspective
Protests, Responses by Police, and Organizational Change in Law Enforcement
Training
Defunding
Department Organization
Conclusion
Bibliography
10 The Impact of COVID-19 on the Landscape of Terrorism
Introduction
Radicalization
Propaganda (Top-Down Supply)
Politicization (Bottom-Up Demand)
Terrorist Attacks
Classic Insurgency
Islamist Terrorism in Europe
Non-Islamist Terrorism
Bioterrorism
Counter Terrorism
Short-Term View
Medium-Term View
Long-Term View
Conclusion
Bibliography
11 Organized Crime During and After the Pandemic
Introduction
Adaptable Criminal Entrepreneurs
COVID-19’s Impact on Crime
Cybercrime
Fraud
Counterfeiting and Sales of Sub-standard Goods
COVID-19’s Impact on Law Enforcement
Criminals or Local Heroes?
Examples of Criminal Service-Provision During the Pandemic
The Post-pandemic Landscape
Laundering of Criminal Proceeds
Cybercrime and Sales of Counterfeit Medical Supplies
Criminal Recruitment
Smuggling and Trafficking of Persons
Corruption
Unrest
Going Back to ‘Normal’
Conclusion
Bibliography
12 Health Intelligence Systems and Security
Introduction
Mortuaries Management in London: A Case Study
Health Data Systems in the UK
Conclusion
Bibliography
13 Brave New World
Conclusion
Science for Good and Bad
Why We Need Strong Institutions
Security Trends Ahead
Bibliography
Index
