What is the most important issue which causes unity and/or division in international relations today? Why?

Main question(s) to be addressed in the research paper: What is the most important issue which causes unity and/or division in international relations today? Why? Explain your answer with reference to its implications for international relations. Your answer must make reference to course readings and to your own research. The research paper should be between 1600 and 1800 words excluding citations/bibliography. For this assignment you may address any issue in international relations which you think is important. To make a convincing case, you must a) construct a concise argument with a thesis statement, b) describe the issue area, c) explain its implications for world order – the “so what?” question; d) support your claims with evidence and logic. Your research paper must refer to at least five additional academic sources. An academic source is a book, or portion of a book written by a professor, a journal article in a peer reviewed journal, or a respected policy journal. In general, academic sources are held to a higher editorial standard of evidence and logic. Non-academic sources are acceptable and include newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Non-academic sources can be reliable, especially traditional media sources, but generally have lower editorial standards. The grading rubric will be provided to students in advance of the assignment deadline.