Weak and Failing States: Critical new Security Issues

This article defines the nature of state failure and explains the differences between strong, weak, failing, failed, and collapsed states. Rotberg argues that failing states are a particular worry to the security of the twenty-first century. The role of the European Union and NATO in approaching the issue of failed states, and the deficiencies of EU and NATO policy are noted. Methods of preventing state failure are discussed, along with indicators that provide early warning for failure.