BCS Written International Affairs cheat sheet

Realism: states are unitary rational actors in an anarchic system; survival and self-help drive behavior; balance of power and alliances are key mechanisms.

Liberalism: institutions, trade, and democracy reduce conflict; absolute gains matter; regimes and interdependence create cooperation.

Constructivism: identities and norms shape interests; anarchy is what states make of it; social facts matter.

Levels of analysis: individual, state, system; each explains different aspects of foreign policy.

Security dilemma: one state's defensive measures appear threatening to others, triggering arms races.

Deterrence requires credible capability, communication, and resolve; compellence is the offensive counterpart.

Hegemonic stability theory: a dominant power provides public goods (e.g., open trade) that stabilize the system.

Contemporary issues: climate change, migration, terrorism, cyber security, and pandemics are transnational and require collective action.

Bangladesh's constitutional principle: 'Friendship to all, malice towards none' (Article 25).

Key foreign policy goals: sovereignty, economic development, and diaspora welfare; balanced relations with India, China, and the US.

Major bilateral issues with India: water sharing (Ganges, Teesta), border management, trade, and connectivity.

With China: infrastructure investment (BRI), trade deficits, and defense procurement.

With Myanmar: Rohingya refugee crisis; repatriation negotiations and international advocacy.

With the US: trade preferences, labor rights, counterterrorism cooperation, and sanctions issues.

With the EU: Everything But Arms (EBA) trade preference and development cooperation.

With Japan: comprehensive partnership, infrastructure (e.g., Matarbari), and maritime security cooperation.

UN principal organs: General Assembly (one state, one vote), Security Council (5 permanent members with veto, 10 elected), ECOSOC, Secretariat, ICJ, Trusteeship Council.

UN peacekeeping principles: consent of parties, impartiality, non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of mandate.

SAARC: 8 members; decisions by consensus; Secretariat in Kathmandu; SAARC Charter prohibits bilateral issues.

OIC: 57 member states; focuses on Islamic solidarity, human rights, and conflict resolution; Secretariat in Jeddah.

ASEAN: 10 members; consensus-based; ASEAN Way emphasizes non-interference; Dialogue Partners include Bangladesh (sectoral).

BIMSTEC: 7 members bridging South and Southeast Asia; sectors include trade, connectivity, and security.

IMF and World Bank: Bretton Woods institutions; IMF focuses on balance of payments, World Bank on development lending.

WTO: rules-based trade; dispute settlement; special and differential treatment for developing countries.

Sources of international law (ICJ Statute Art. 38): treaties, custom, general principles, judicial decisions, and teachings.

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961): diplomatic immunity, inviolability of missions, and persona non grata.

Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963): consular functions and limited immunity.

Treaty law (VCLT 1969): pacta sunt servanda; rebus sic stantibus (fundamental change of circumstances) is narrowly applied.

Use of force: UN Charter Art. 2(4) prohibits force; exceptions are self-defense (Art. 51) and Security Council authorization.

Law of the sea (UNCLOS): territorial sea 12 nm, contiguous zone 24 nm, EEZ 200 nm, continental shelf up to 350 nm.

Diplomatic practice: note verbale, aide-mémoire, démarche, and communiqué are standard instruments.

State responsibility: attribution, breach, and reparation (restitution, compensation, satisfaction).

Global governance: formal and informal institutions, regimes, and networks manage transnational issues without world government.

UN Security Council primary responsibility for international peace and security; Chapter VII allows enforcement measures.

Peacekeeping missions: traditional (ceasefire monitoring) vs. multidimensional (peacebuilding, rule of law, elections).

Bangladesh is a top troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping; major deployments in Africa and the Middle East.

R2P (Responsibility to Protect): states protect populations from atrocity crimes; international community assists; UNSC authorizes action.

Counterterrorism: UNSC resolutions 1373 and 1267 establish sanctions and cooperation obligations.

Human security: focuses on individuals; seven dimensions include economic, food, health, environmental, personal, community, and political.

Arms control: NPT (1968), CWC (1993), BWC (1972), and ATT (2013) regulate weapons and transfers.

Comparative advantage: states gain by specializing in goods they produce at lower opportunity cost.

Balance of payments: current account (trade, income, transfers) + capital/financial account + errors and omissions = 0.

Trade policy instruments: tariffs, quotas, subsidies, anti-dumping duties, and sanitary/phytosanitary measures.

WTO principles: most-favored-nation (MFN), national treatment, transparency, and binding commitments.

Regional trade agreements (RTAs) are exceptions to MFN under GATT Art. XXIV; they must cover substantially all trade.

Development finance: ODA target 0.7% of GNI; concessional loans; blended finance; remittances are a major source for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's LDC graduation (scheduled 2026) will affect trade preferences (e.g., EU EBA) and require smooth transition measures.

Debt sustainability: assessed via debt-to-GDP and debt-service ratios; IMF/World Bank frameworks guide borrowing.

South Asia: India-Pakistan rivalry, Kashmir dispute, SAARC stagnation, and BIMSTEC as an alternative platform.

Asia-Pacific: US-China strategic competition; Quad (US, Japan, India, Australia); ASEAN centrality; South China Sea disputes.

Middle East: Arab-Israeli conflict, Iran nuclear issue (JCPOA), Gulf Cooperation Council dynamics, and energy politics.

Europe: EU integration, NATO enlargement, Ukraine war, and sanctions on Russia.

Africa: African Union Agenda 2063, debt distress, and peacekeeping operations.

Americas: US foreign policy priorities, OAS, Mercosur, and migration from Central America.

Bangladesh's regional engagement: strong ties with Gulf states (labor migration), Malaysia, and Singapore.

Rohingya issue: internationalized in UNGA, OIC, and ASEAN; calls for accountability and safe repatriation.

Climate change: UNFCCC (1992), Kyoto Protocol (1997), Paris Agreement (2015) with NDCs and 1.5°C target.

Climate finance: $100 billion/year pledge by developed countries; Green Climate Fund; Loss and Damage fund (2022).

Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate impacts; adaptation and mitigation are foreign policy priorities.

Migration: 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol define refugee status; non-refoulement is customary.

Global Compact for Migration (2018) and Global Compact on Refugees (2018) are non-binding frameworks.

Terrorism: UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (2006); FATF recommendations on terrorist financing.

Human rights: UDHR (1948); core treaties (ICCPR, ICESCR, CEDAW, CRC); treaty bodies and Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Humanitarian principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence guide relief operations.