Introduction
Throughout its history, humanity has faced problems that require urgent solutions. Some of them are of a limited, localized nature, while others affect large regions of the planet or the world as a whole. In the modern world, security is one of the most important issues facing humankind (Collins, 2022).
Global security issues are harmful to the conditions for sustainable economic development, peace, and prosperity. International security, like the national security of countries, has become increasingly influenced by globalization. At the same time, nowadays, the world faces many complex challenges to security. Thus, it is essential to identify and prioritize the leading global security challenges.
The Key Global Security Issues
It is critical to recognize that one of the biggest global security challenges is terrorism. This has become a particularly pressing issue in recent decades as terrorist attacks have become more frequent and widespread (Jackson & Pisoiu, 2018). Terrorism is a threat to the security and stability of many countries, including those that are generally considered safe.
For example, the terrorist attack in New York on September 11, 2001, posed a severe threat to the security of the entire world (Jackson & Pisoiu, 2018). However, the problem of terrorism has many causes. One of them is political distrust, especially in countries with different political regimes. Terrorism can also be connected to nationalist movements and religious beliefs.
However, the most common cause of terrorism is social inequality and economic hardship. The inequitable distribution of wealth and resources between countries can be a source of tension and conflict that can lead to terrorist acts. To combat terrorism, it is crucial to focus on preventing its causes. (Jackson & Pisoiu, 2018) It is crucial to build economic and social stability to reduce social inequality and ensure all people have access to the necessary resources. In addition, changing policies that can lead to armed conflicts and building trust between countries and political regimes are essential.
The other crucial world security challenge facing the world is cybersecurity. The accelerating globalization processes observed in the world economy over the past few decades have contributed to cybercrime becoming a global problem for humanity. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, international losses due to financial information exposure caused by cybercrime are expected to grow by 15% per year from 2021 to 2025 and could reach $10.5 trillion annually. (Morgan, 2019, para 4). The reasons for this growth are the significant activity of cybercriminal groups and state-sponsored attackers. Meanwhile, the number of attacks is growing as a result of digital transformation processes.
Cyberattacks can have profound consequences, including the theft of confidential information, disruption of critical infrastructure, and financial losses (Morgan, 2019). It is essential to protect information systems and data from criminals, hackers, cyber agents, and other threats. Cybersecurity is also crucial for safeguarding national interests and ensuring the safety of people in the online space.
Global environmental issues are another key components of security. Climate change, environmental disasters, and resource depletion can cause a crisis that poses a growing threat to people, their environment, and the economy (McDonald, 2018). The climate change is an urgent issue of worldwide interest that has been growing increasingly relevant in recent years. The impacts of climate adaptation, such as increasing sea levels, extreme weather events, and water shortages, can cause conflicts over resources and population displacement, conducting to security threats (McDonald, 2018).
In addition, the proliferation of nuclear weapons is the next global security problem that could have catastrophic consequences. The possession of nuclear weapons by countries at war with each other increases the risk of nuclear war. A nuclear war could have devastating consequences for the entire world, including widespread destruction, environmental damage, and the loss of countless lives (McDonald, 2018). Moreover, the proliferation of nuclear weapons among non-state actors, such as terrorist groups, would further escalate the risk of a nuclear attack.
In order to provide environmental protection, it is necessary to implement sustainable practices and policies that reduce humanity’s impact on the environment. In addition, it is crucial to decrease the consumption of material resources and reduce emissions of harmful substances into the air, water, and soil. Moreover, it is important to ensure global nuclear safety (McDonald, 2018). It is crucial to ensure that everything possible is done to reduce the number of atomic weapons arsenals and to ensure their safety and control.
Humanity also faces biological threats, such as pandemics and epidemics. The biological threat to humanity is associated with spreading infections that can lead to mass illness and death (Collins, 2022). For example, bacteria and viruses can cause epidemics and pandemics, and mutations in viruses can make them more dangerous. Healthcare professionals argue that humanity is at a higher risk of massive outbreaks of disease and worldwide pandemics than ever before (Collins, 2022).
It is clear that epidemics are spreading faster and further than ever before. Outbreaks that used to be contained can rapidly escalate into epidemics due to a range of factors, such as increasing human numbers, climate change, and globalization. This problem has become particularly acute during the Covid-19 pandemic (Collins, 2022). It can lead to a large number of deaths and illnesses and economic losses.
It should be emphasized that global security can be undermined by drug trafficking and organized crime. This is because the drug industry, with a turnover corresponding to approximately 8% of world trade, is steadily improving, increasing its technical and financial potential, and adapting the latest scientific and technological progress achievements to its needs (Collins, 2022, p. 71). The rapid development of illegal drug production and consumption in most countries is one of the most dangerous trends of recent decades.
Approximately 200 million people aged 15 to 64, or 5% of the world’s population in this age group, have used drugs in the past 12 months. This is a problem that affects social security and public health (Collins, 2022, p. 78). Drug addiction can lead to the destruction of families and the disintegration of social environments, and drug-related crime can lead to increased violence and corruption. The fight against crime and drugs needs to be addressed at multiple levels, including more effective methods of combating transnational crime and developing new strategies that consider international and domestic factors.
Prioritization of Problems
In setting priorities for global security, it is helpful to consider the fact that these problems are interconnected and influence each other. For example, conflicts and wars can lead to environmental disasters and a decline in the quality of life (Jackson & Pisoiu, 2018). In contrast, the lack of economic stability can lead to high levels of poverty and unemployment, leading to increased crimes. Therefore, it is imperative to identify those issues that have the most significant potential to influence the evolution of civilization as a whole and those that may become critical for humanity in the future.
In my opinion, the key global security issues facing the world today can be defined as follows. The first priority is assigned to terrorism, a problem that directly impacts lives and safety of citizens. Terrorist acts can lead to a large number of deaths and property damage, as well as psychological trauma for a large number of people (Jackson & Pisoiu, 2018). Therefore, the fight against terrorism should be a priority for all states and international organizations. The next highest priority issue is the proliferation of nuclear weapons, as it has potentially devastating implications for the entire world.
Nuclear weapons can cause many deaths and destruction of property, and even a small conflict involving atomic bombs can have global consequences (Collins, 2022). Meanwhile, cyberattacks and cybercrime are on the rise, which seriously influences the security and stability of the Internet and computer systems that are an integral part of the modern world (Morgan, 2019). Every state and international institution should prioritize cybersecurity, as it can impact the economy, social security, and national security.
Biological threats, such as unknown diseases and pandemics, can spread rapidly, change people’s lifestyles and kill them. Therefore, this issue is the fourth priority, especially as the recent Covid-19 pandemic shows the need for global coordination and cooperation (Collins, 2022).
The next priority is the problem of drug trafficking and organized crime, as this problem creates opportunities for violations of international and national laws. It also leads to a dangerous security situation in the world. Moreover, the sixth priority should be given to global environmental issues because they will impact humanity in the future (McDonald, 2018). In general, these are serious problems that affect the life and health of people, animals, and plants and are serious.
Conclusion
Therefore, global security issues are important aspects of the modern world, and their solution requires an integrated strategy that includes effective measures in all areas. Among the critical security challenges are terrorism, nuclear proliferation, cybercrime, biological threats, drug trafficking, organized crime, and global environmental issues. In order to achieve international security, global cooperation and coordination are essential. Therefore, all states and international organizations must work together to ensure stability and strength in the world.
Reference List
Collins, A. (2022). Contemporary security studies. Oxford University Press.
Jackson, R., & Pisoiu, D. (2018). Contemporary debates on terrorism. Routledge.
McDonald, M. (2018). Climate change and security: Towards ecological security? Cambridge University Press, 10(2), 153-180. Web.
Morgan, S. (2019). Top 5 cybersecurity facts, figures, predictions, and statistics for 2019 to 2021. Cybersecurity Ventures, 1-10. Web.