Border Protection and National Security of Mongolia
Abstract
Both globalization and recent terrorist attacks, especially 9/11, have spawned heated debates in many countries about border security. It is widely agreed that, in a globalizing world, borders should be as open as possible. Much has been written in recent years about the value of "soft" borders for maintaining good relations between neighboring states, creating borderland prosperity, and developing successful open-market economies. But the reality in many parts of the world is that borders are hardening, not softening, as states more than ever seek to protect themselves from perceived external threats. Managing state borders and maintaining their security is currently a complex and challenging task. This thesis examines the implications of security as a key dimension of boundary management, especially in Mongolia. Can borders be made secure? If so, what border management strategies are available, and how are they working in Mongolia? According to the Mongolian National Security Concept of 1993, Mongolia's existence as a state is determined by the continued guarantee of its independence, its sovereignty, the inviolability of its borders, and its territorial integrity. In the last 15 years, a need for improvement in its border protection has arisen as a result of both internal and external developments. These include changes in Mongolia's foreign policy and its socio-economic situation, in regional and worldwide military and political circumstances, and in the trends of relations between neighboring countries. The thesis explores the effects of policy options on the prevention of terrorism within Mongolia's borders and on the movement of people across international borders. It is limited to border-security policies and the implications drawn from them for Mongolian policy makers. The thesis also includes three case studies drawn from the border protection services of three countries: the United States, the Russian Federation, and the People's Republic of China.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA456961
Entities
People
- Dashdavaa Dashtseren
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School