Emerging New Threats in International System: Limitations on State’s Capacity

Post cold war international political and security environment has posed challenges in the form of emerging new threats and a new security environment. These threats include but are not limited to terrorism, nuclear proliferation, narcotics and migration. However, the horrible event of 9/11 presented terrorism as the most serious and immediate threat to security in a globalizing world. Technological developments have increased the potential impact of future terror incidents e.g., the dimensions of bioterrorism, nuclear terrorism etc. Two crucial elements to counter these emerging threats comprise of a comprehensive strategy and the state. State is the central element to implement any counter-strategy whatsoever. Nevertheless, states have limitations in this regard. These limitations are driven by state’s own national interests, its security perceptions, political, economic and social configurations. This study examines those limitations of state in detail that affect the states response capabilities.