Shooting Saviors? Military Relations With Humanitarians

Abstract

Why do militaries obstruct relief operations in some conflicts but facilitate them in others? This article examines how nationalist sentiment—the strong identification with and prioritization of a nation’s interests—influences military attitudes toward humanitarian operations. It argues that soldiers are more likely to antagonize aid organizations when operating in their home country than when deployed abroad. Through a comparative analysis of the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War (1967–1970) and the Liberian Civil War (1989–1995), the study demonstrates that Nigerian forces were significantly more antagonistic toward humanitarians during their domestic conflict than when they led regional peacekeeping efforts in Liberia. These findings underscore the link between nationalist sentiment and military hostility during armed conflicts, suggesting that domestic military operations heighten military-humanitarian tensions. By identifying when and why militaries are more prone to antagonizing humanitarian actors, this research provides critical insights for policymakers, humanitarian practitioners, and civil–military relations scholars seeking to improve inter-agency cooperation.