1) Both neoliberalism and neorealism consider the third image – the international anarchic system – as the decisive factor for the actions taken by states. This system is influenced by self-help, which all states must engage in to ensure their own survival. With this important foundation in mind, both theories will now be applied to the case of the girls kidnapped in Nigeria by Boko Haram in April 2014. First, let me analyze the view that a neorealist might have on this topic. Since neorealist theory attributes only a small influence to human nature, its entire analysis of conflicts revolves around state actors. Taking into account that the anarchic international system is the force that pushes states to want power, his view is that it does not matter much for the United States to intervene in Nigeria and fight the non-state actor Boko Haram. However, if you look at the circumstances in detail, you see that neorealist politics is being applied. Using power as a means to protect resources is essential to this politics. Being dependent has a serious negative impact on any world power. The US and the EU are eager to increase their independence. Supporting the Nigerian government means maintaining friendly relations, thus keeping the market open for Western investors and ensuring the extraction of resources from this country. This effectively means that the West becomes less dependent on oil from the Middle East, as Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa (US Energy Information Administration, 2013). The neorealist reasoning for supporting Nigeria is therefore rather cost-benefit analysis regarding the long-term interests the West has in Nigeria, rather than concern for t...... half of the paper ..... .minga, M. T. (2013 ). International law. In J. Hage and B. Akkermans, Introduction to the law (pp. 349-360). Maastricht: Faculty of Law of Maastricht University.Ofiaja, A. (2014, May 13). To understand Boko Haram, the West must look more closely at itself than at Nigeria. Politics Mic.Okeke, T., Anyaehie, U., & Ezenyeaku, C. (2012, January). An overview of female genital mutilation in Nigeria. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 70-73. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3507121/?report=readerUS Energy Information Administration. (2013, May 30). Retrieved May 25, 2014, from http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=niVOA News. (2014, May 17). In Paris, calls are being made for a united strike against Boko Haram. Voice of America. Retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/content/paris-summit-to-discuss-boko-haram-security-threat/1916584.html