IS ARMAMENT A FACTOR TO MAKE NON-STATE ACTORS MORE POWERFUL?
BY: SANA EJAZ*

The post cold war world is characterized by a proliferation of domestic conflict involving "armed non-state actors" (NSAs) and the mutual reprisals between the states and NSAs violate the right to live in peace of the people's world.
According to Wikipedia, non-state actors, in international relations, are actors on the international level, which are not states. Important NSAs in international relations are NGOs, MNCs, The International Media, International organized crime, drugs groups, paramilitary and terrorist groups.
Here, I am going to discuss about armed non-state actors and armaments. National humiliation, socio-economic frustration, social injustice, human rights violation, right of self-determination, resisting fighting are the roots of emerging non-state actors.
Now, the question arises: is armament a factor to make non-state actors more powerful? As far as weapons are concerned they are nevertheless, an integral feature of every armed conflict. Yes, armament is a very important factor indeed whether for a state actor or non-state actor. But in case of strengthening non-state actors weapons are not the only factor because if we look around from Europe to Asia, the renowned NSAs have less number of arms as compare to their opponents. From IRA to Hamas, from Taliban to Hizbollah and Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda all NSAs have not solely dependent on increasing number of arms.
There are many factors which include dedication, intelligence, organization, courage, determination and public support for purposeful arms control. In case of NSAs these all elements are very important but no one can deny armament as a big factor to enhance NSAs power. Nowadays, arms race is going on among states. States acquire weapons to become more powerful so how can arms be less important for NSAs? Because they are fighting guerrilla warfare to oppose the governments or states.
Military operation in low intensity conflicts, counter terrorism measure, hostage rescue and peace support activities led to the development of new conventional and unconventional weapons. These weapons are not only in states hand but NSAs are also obtaining new and destructive technology in order to counter opponent's attacks.
Take the example of Hizbollah to understand the link between qualities mentioned above and armament. Hizbollah was fighting with most sophisticated enemy, equipped with most all latest technology of weapons, but Israel failed to face Hizbollah's resistance.
Hizbollah was courageous, well organized and determinating but no one can neglect the role of weapons in Hizbollah's victory. It was highly equipped by small weapons. Arms acquired by any means or transferred by any state, was the main pillar of Hizbollah's success. We can expect that NSAs have improved their ability to conduct tactical and strategic operations.
NSAs are serious threat to national security or international stability. They are not directly targeted. In order to fight non-state enemy other states are hollowed out a state. Non-state actors may pose great hazards to poor countries by causing major destruction.
We are in a world today where we have non-state actors using all the tools of weaponry. Smaller light weapons are the preferred armament of non-state actors. Illicit light weapon trade is common because small arms facilitate cheap and easy transportation and cause great destruction. This has given NSAs an enhanced ability to inflict considerable damage.
NSAs would be more powerful or dangerous if they gain access to destructive technology, either acquire working nuclear weapons or manufacture them themselves after obtaining fissile material and to acquire other WMDs. It’s easy to stop a state being offender than to make non-state actor surrender.

CONCLUSION
No doubt with all other factors weapon enhances the power of NSAs. To stop emergence of NSAs, states need to promote the world based on principle of "peaceful co-existence" and "equal mutual benefit". States should have monopoly on military power. Every effort is necessary to make it as difficult as possible for the wrong people to acquire the technology or material to build weapons. For this purpose need to eliminate the illicit production and destroy surplus stocks of arms. There is need for preventing sales of deadly weapons to non-state actors. There is a network of conventions, protocols and declarations to reduce and regulate the weapons. If steps are not taken to repair and strengthen the current Arms Control regime, it may be caused greater sufferings

* Student, M.A (Final) Second Semester, 2006, Department of International Relations, University of Karachi

All content (C) Department of International Relations, Karachi University

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