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From the Battlefield to Psych Ward. War on Terror and Its Impact on Mental Health of U.S. Soldiers
Miková, Zuzana ; Kozák, Kryštof Přemysl (advisor) ; Smetana, Michal (referee)
This bachelor's thesis deals with the psychological problems of American veterans from the war on terror. This work aimed to find out what mental effects soldiers take away from the conflict and what main reasons led to their creation. The bachelor's thesis briefly describes the context of the war on terror and new methods of combat used in this conflict, as well as the psychological consequences veterans are facing upon returning home. It introduces programs offered by the American government and ministries to assist affected individuals. The result of the research concludes with serious psychological consequences found among veterans of the war on terror, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder. This represents the highest number to date among all conflicts led by the United States. The major issue is the "unrecognized" cost of the war, such as increased rates of alcoholism, violence, or family breakdown. These consequences also negatively impact the wider society. There are several reasons for developing mental health issues from the war on terror, but the main ones include the prolonged duration of the conflict, new methods of combat and technologies, society's gradual shift towards war rejection, and a negative attitude towards veterans. However, it is also important to note that...
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War on Terror: How did war on terrorism change american society and political events?
Sobotka, Tomáš ; Szobi, Pavel (advisor) ; Raška, Francis (referee)
This paper focuses on the social and political background of the American War on Terror policy, specifically on the operation Neptune Spear leading to the targeted killing of Osama bin Laden, one of the leading personas of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda. The introductory part states the research questions, the hypothesis and methodology and defines the term terrorism. It also outlines the problematics of obtaining relevant sources, since many of them still fall under top secret classification and have never been published. Furthermore, it informs about the historical background of War on Terror, reminds about the events of 11. September 2001 and describes the process of searching for and killing of Osama bin Laden. It also serves as a foreword to the research part. The research part itself then analyzes available source materials related to Neptune Spear. Primary sources include the official statement of the then President Barack Obama, the stance of the government, press conference and comments of Obama's predecessors, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, the original initiator of the War on Terror policy. Next, it analyzes the mood of American society through academic literature, archives of traditional and contemporary media, published articles, public opinion polls and others. The summary...
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Privatisation of Security in the Context of the "War on Terror": Analysing the Private Military Companies Phenomenon
Vurbs, Jan ; Jireš, Jan (advisor) ; Slačálek, Ondřej (referee)
V Praze, dne 25. července 2013 ………………………………… Abstract The main focus of this thesis is the phenomenon of private military companies and their deployment in situations of armed conflict conducted under the auspices of the so-called "War on Terrorism". The aim is to provide the reader with an introductory insight into this issue, describe specific activities of private military companies during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and to answer research questions about their positive or negative contribution to the overall results of these conflicts and the possible impact on civil-military relations. The main thesis of this work is that the performance of these companies can not be categorically evaluated because it is different from case to case. There are, however, some general trends which can be traced in regard to "War on Terrorism". They mainly relate to the lack of efficient state control of private military companies and their conduct. The work is divided into several parts. The first deals with the historical development of conducting military operations with the help of non-state financially motivated actors. This section is intended to create a framework for a better understanding of the issues examined. The second part is devoted to theoretical classification of private military companies and...
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Violation of human rights within the American War on Terror: Case study Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib
Žižková, Andrea ; Čížek, Martin (advisor) ; Klvaňa, Tomáš (referee)
The principle aim of my work titled "Violations of human rights within the American War on Terror: A case study of Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib" is an attempt to show that violations of human rights, in prisons built by the United States for suspected terrorists, were not only committed by a number of lower-ranked soldiers, but by the American government, who provided suitable conditions for such practices. By becoming familiar with the basic principles of international treaties and agreements covering human rights and the rights of prisoners, as well as by examining American orders and memoranda after September 11th, this paper introduces the environment in which the controversial actions against prisoners could have arisen. Practices that violate international principles are explored in two main chapters, derived from the prisons in which they were committed. A separate section is also dedicated to the status of enemy combatant, which the United States decided to use to label all captured members of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, thus denying them due process under the Geneva Conventions. Together with all these aspects the paper provides a perspective on the difficulties of prisoners' legal rights during a unique security conflict, which the War on Terror following September 11th, 2001 undoubtedly is.
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The United States and the strategic triangle of China-India-Pakistan
Hrabcová, Klára ; Hornát, Jan (advisor) ; Sehnálková, Jana (referee)
This thesis called "The United States and the strategic triangle of China-India-Pakistan" examines how the states balance mutual threats. It also focuses on the aspect of U.S.-Pakistani relationship which is a key factor for the further development of the relations in the region. Strategic triangle relations can be defined by Sino-Pakistani alliance, Sino-Indian differences and Indian-Pakistani rivalry. The work is based on a realist concept of the balance of power theory with further focus on the Stephen M. Walt's concept of balance of threat. Based on the theoretical framework, the main threats of the triangle states and the ways they balance these threats are analysed. The growing economic and military power of China and India has resulted in intense balancing, with China using an alliance with Pakistan and strengthening its economic strategies, and with India strengthening the ties with the U.S. and other countries in the region. This ignites a significant security dilemma between China and India, further leading to a potential conflict. The paper further argues that the relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan is key for maintaining regional balance. Therefore, to maintain the strong ties with Pakistan, a setting of long-term U.S. strategy in Pakistan is crucial for increasing the...
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Violation of human rights within the American War on Terror: Case study Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib
Žižková, Andrea ; Čížek, Martin (advisor) ; Klvaňa, Tomáš (referee)
The principle aim of my work titled "Violations of human rights within the American War on Terror: A case study of Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib" is an attempt to show that violations of human rights, in prisons built by the United States for suspected terrorists, were not only committed by a number of lower-ranked soldiers, but by the American government, who provided suitable conditions for such practices. By becoming familiar with the basic principles of international treaties and agreements covering human rights and the rights of prisoners, as well as by examining American orders and memoranda after September 11th, this paper introduces the environment in which the controversial actions against prisoners could have arisen. Practices that violate international principles are explored in two main chapters, derived from the prisons in which they were committed. A separate section is also dedicated to the status of enemy combatant, which the United States decided to use to label all captured members of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, thus denying them due process under the Geneva Conventions. Together with all these aspects the paper provides a perspective on the difficulties of prisoners' legal rights during a unique security conflict, which the War on Terror following September 11th, 2001 undoubtedly is.
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Plan Colombia in context of american War on Drugs and War on Terror
Kvačková, Karolína ; Hornát, Jan (advisor) ; Raška, Francis (referee)
This bachelor thesis is concerning Plan Colombia, U.S. initiative to help Colombian State to fight drugs - its production, trafficking and selling. Nonetheless within the years the so called War on Drugs turned into initiative fighting insurgency groups as well, including FARC, ELN and AUC. Main goal of this research is to proof that Plan Colombia can be sorted to War on Drugs as well as War on Terror which occurred after the 11th of September 2001. This hypothesis is supported by three arguments. Firstly, the U.S. approach to counternarcotic changed. We can see the change especially in U.S. legislative, which changed directly after 11th September and the Plan Colombia with it. Second argument is based on fact that the financing of the program clearly changed in 2002 to more military based budget. And as last argument stands the ineffectiveness of the Plan on counterdrug bases. That is linked to the lack of assistance in development projects which backed up the eradication program. In the thesis the arguments are deeply examined and on the basis of these arguments I think I confirmed my hypothesis. Even though we have to note that Plan Colombia in action before 11th of September is not applicable since the there were no such circumstances as after that date.
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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in US National Security Policy. New Face of War of Terror
Matějka, Stanislav ; Raška, Francis (advisor) ; Anděl, Petr (referee)
The paper deals with the use of unmanned aircraft of the American national security policy. It examines the history of unmanned aviation, its military use, and cost- efficiency. It then examines the main obstacles and problems with their use in national security that this technology meets and will meet in the future after a higher level of autonomy is developed. These problems involve legal issues, international and domestic American law, the issue of civilian casualties, the role of the media, and public opinion. The final chapter focuses on the problems of technical, strategic and operational issues. In this section the research paper comes to the first conclusion which claims that the introduction of more autonomous systems to war will radically change its structure and, consequently, standard procedures and strategies. Case studies are included to illustrate how successful the drone strategy is applied in the five countries where the United States leads a war on terror. The research using the theory of the revolution in military affairs concludes that these UAVs pose the greatest challenge in history and it goes well beyond military matters. UAVs in national security affect the understanding of the basic principles of war in relation to the concepts of warrior ethos and just war.
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Legitimization methods employed by George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden- discourse analysis
Klincová, Lucia ; Střítecký, Vít (advisor) ; Ditrych, Ondřej (referee)
This diploma thesis focuses on the legitimization methods in case of George W. Bush's war on terror and Osama bin Laden's terrorist attacks. It takes into consideration the time period from the 9th of September 2001 (the date of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C.) until the 20th of March 2003 (the beginning of the USA's invasion in Iraq). Using the discourse analysis methodology, the thesis presents the different legitimization approaches, which were used frequently, or not at all. The analysis itself is based on a database of the official statements of the two leaders or their close fellows. The interpretation of these approaches and the analysis of the societal, political, cultural or religious context, highlight the common and different features of these two cases. The aim of this thesis is to argue that despite very different political roles George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden played, their legitimization approaches were, in fact, very similar.
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The Bush Administration and Pakistan: Utilitarian Partnership?
Zábranský, Richard ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Raška, Francis (referee)
Pakistan is a poor and aid-dependent state but it is also the only Muslim state armed with nuclear weapons. In the late 1990s, Pakistan had to deal with economic and technological sanctions from the U.S., which punished Islamabad for its nuclear aspirations and military coup d'état in fall of 1999. The India-Pakistan rivalry is crucial aspect that impacts the U.S.-Pakistan cooperation. After 9/11, Pakistani president Musharraf was concerned that the U.S. could turn their attention to India, thus strengthening the cooperation with Pakistan's rival. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 changed the national security environment and Washington had to adapt, so it could more effectively respond to newly emerging threats. Rise of strategic importance of Pakistan was a result of the U.S. hunt for Al-Qaeda and subsequent war in Afghanistan, as Americans needed to assure access to Afghanistan, logistical support for American forces, intelligence information about situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan's border regions. However, U.S.-Pakistan cooperation was influenced by divergent national security priorities. Keywords Pakistan, USA, Musharraf, Bush, U.S. support, strategy, Taliban, Al-Qaeda, assistance, 9/11 Rozsah práce: 122 928 znaků
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