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ABSTRACT
How do states take over others' sovereign territories? This study explores in depth the techniques of a relatively unnoticed type of takeover—namely, through subversion but without formal annexation. Such takeovers are generally adopted when two conditions occur: seemingly high international costs associated with blunt/overt occupations and the victim state's territory not being ready for full-fledged annexation (for demographic reasons, etc.). To compensate for its lack of direct control over the territory in question, the dominating state must establish unique institutional and political arrangements that will allow it effective domination via remote control. Yet, these remote-control political arrangements are often fragile and get eroded over time, allowing the local populace to eventually rebel. Subversive method is nowadays becoming the preferred tool of choice for states to dominate others mainly due to the changing norms regarding military occupations/annexations.
Notes on contributors
Or Arthur Honig ([email protected]) received a PhD from UCLA and is a visiting assistant professor at Duke University's political science department. He has published extensively on strategic issues such as intelligence, propaganda, covert action, coercion, and counterterrorism.
Ido Yahel ([email protected]) is a PhD student in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Auckland University. His areas of interest include strategic studies and military and diplomatic history.
Notes
1. For the notion that altering borders and incorporating other countries' territory by force is no longer permissible/legitimate in international relations see Oona Hathaway and Scott Shapiro, The Internationalists (New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2017).
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