Terrorism and Spoiling the Peace

How do terrorist organizations sabotage peace negotiations?

Takeaway Points

  1. Terrorist organizations may not want peace between their home state and a foreign power.
  2. According to sovereignty, the home state is responsible for rooting out terrorism.
  3. Foreign powers cannot adequately observe whether the home state is making a good-faith effort to stop the terrorists.
  4. Foreign powers may therefore terminate negotiations after a terrorist attack because they suspect that the home state does not want to stop the terrorists.
  5. Thus, terrorists organizations can spoil the peace by preying on the lack of trust between the two states.
  6. The concept of spoiling comes from this article.