IJOIS Fall 2020, Volume VII Program in Arms Control & Domestic 
and International Security  

3 
 

Letter from the Editor 
 

Dear reader, 
On behalf of the IJOIS Editorial Board, the Program in Arms Control & Domestic and 

International Security, the University Library, and the supportive academic community of the 
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, we would like to thank you for reading the sixth 
issue of Illini Journal of International Security (IJOIS)! IJOIS is a peer-reviewed academic 
journal that was founded in September 2015 by undergraduate students at the University of 
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We publish exceptional papers on topics within international 
security or foreign affairs.  

For our seventh issue of the journal, we are excited to publish outstanding undergraduate 
papers that explore some of the most pressing issues within international security and foreign 
affairs, covering a wide range of topic areas and geographical regions. The first paper that is 
presented in this edition of the journal is one by Emma Hamel, titled “The Nuclear Awakening 
of China, which explores the expanding nuclear arsenal of China and explores the background of 
Chinese nuclear ambitions. The second paper is by Keunhee Kim, titled “At What Cost? 
Examining the Efficacy of Military Intervention,” and explores the role of the United Nations 
and United States in intervention in conflicts around the globe. The third paper is by Jake Sepich, 
titled “In Support of an Independent Kurdistan,” and looks at the historical background of 
national sovereignty and goes on with the present example of Kurdistan and its struggle for 
independence. The final paper presented is by Ryan Vetticad, titled “The Justification of 
International Military Intervention in Response to Human Rights Abuses,” which looks at the 
pros and cons to military intervention in response to human rights abuses and argues in favor of 
intervention. 

These exceptional undergraduate papers present novel arguments on a wide array of 
issues within international security and foreign affairs. We hope that these papers will challenge 
and inform our readers, spark discussion, and encourage undergraduate students to explore these 
pressing issues or pursue international studies further. We hope you enjoy reading!  
 
Dylan H. Hyams 
Editor-in-Chief