Abstract
This thesis combines Mary Kaldors New Wars theory with a modern contemporary conflict in an analysis, which tries to evaluate the validity of her theory as a basis for analyzing modern intrastate conflicts. This is done via an analysis based on five focused analytical areas, against a selected ongoing complex conflict as a representative for modern intrastate conflicts.
Theoretically, the thesis is based on the New Wars theory as presented in Mary Kaldors book “New and Old Wars”. The focus is on the context, actors, goals, methods and financing of new wars against the collected empirical data surrounding the conflict in Syria.
The main conclusion in this thesis points out that Kaldors theory, with regards to the above mentioned focused analytical areas, is valid as a basis for analyzing modern intrastate conflicts, but also that it should not stand alone. It is important to broaden the perspective in which each individual conflict is to be viewed and understood, as the dynamics surrounding modern conflicts cannot be put in boxes for easy understanding.