This document is a senior thesis presented by Elijah Villapiano to Dr. Sylvia Presto at New Jersey City University in fulfillment of the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in National Security Studies. The thesis examines failed nation states and the importance of political security for ensuring human security. It acknowledges those who helped the author in preparing the thesis. The abstract provides a summary of the work, which focuses on the role of non-state actors in undermining governance in Near Eastern territories and the dangers of legitimizing non-state actors as governing authorities. The author expresses their purpose is to study conflicts to impact decision making as a member of the U.S. Air Force.