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Regional Powers and Security Dynamics: How do Russia, Turkey and Iran shape security in the South Caucasus?
Matjasch, Alexandra ; Ditrych, Ondřej (advisor) ; Rosendorf, Ondřej (referee)
The aim of the present paper is to answer the question on how do regional powers shape the security environment within their regional subcomplex? The research interest is conditioned by the rise of powers that represent strong actors, especially in regional affairs, and which certainly influence dynamics within their region. It has been assumed that the manifestation of power at the regional level can also be transferred, to the global level leading to an elevated position of these actors in global affairs, allowing equally for the existing Western-led order to be challenged. These assumptions have been applied and tested on the example of the regional powers Russia, Turkey and Iran and their respective influence on the security dynamics in the South Caucasus as their historically common shared neighbourhood. In order to disentangle the complicated web of relationships and influential factors, the descriptive framework of the Theory of Regional Security Complexes as suggested by Barry Buzan has been outlined and applied. Based on these theoretical observations the attention has been further turned towards the empirical testing of the hypothesis which states that Russia, Turkey and Iran have exercised influence during the second Nagorno-Karabakh War 2020 that occurred between Armenia and Azerbaijan...
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Explaining the Kosovo's recognition and its withdrawal
Dostál, Jan ; Karlas, Jan (advisor) ; Rosendorf, Ondřej (referee)
This thesis is focused mainly on the recognition of Kosovo, its subsequent withdrawal and finding factors influencing both of these acts. In order to identify them, it firstly introduces the theoretical and historical background, inter alia the debate between declaratory and constitutive theory, the brief history of Kosovo and existing explanations for both recognition and derecognition. Apart from building on previous literature, it develops a new distinction, between internal and external factors of (de)recognition, the former being connected with the characteristics of the country itself, whereas the latter with the influences of other states. Secondly, it conducts a quantitative analysis including recognition as a dependent variable and the individual factors representing independent variables. Thirdly, three cases of derecognition, Suriname, Palau and Ghana are presented in a brief descriptive analysis. The results show that both internal and external factors influence recognition to the same extent. Specifically, transnational religious ties (percentage of Muslims, or Orthodox), economic wealth and influence of other states, either by following their example (voting coincidence with the USA in the UNGA), or through alliances (membership in NATO) proved as highly significant, with domestic...
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Platform governance triangle: The case of the EU Regulation on preventing the dissemination of illegal terrorist content online
Miksová, Karolína ; Aslan, Emil (advisor) ; Rosendorf, Ondřej (referee)
The thesis focuses on the relationship between the European Union and platform companies, and it tries to explore a debate about binding regulations regarding the moderation of illegal content online. The Regulation on preventing the dissemination of illegal terrorist content online from 2018 was applied as the case to test the arguments. The thesis applies the concept of platform governance triangle to analyse whether the Regulation has the potential to be effective. The research argues that the effectiveness of the Regulation depends on the actors competencies, the legitimation of the Regulation and how it was contested during the decision-making process, and finally on the power relations between actors and the tools to monitor and enforce the Regulation. The research shows that the EU has extensive competencies in areas of independence, representativeness and expertise due to the work of EU specialised agencies. Platform companies, on the other hand, possess unique technical competencies to moderate terrorist content online. Furthermore the specific design of the Regulation, and the fact that it was designed under the ordinary legislative procedure and was contested by various actors, suggest the Regulation is legitimate. Finally, the monitoring and enforcement tools in terms of sanctions could...
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Cyber Attacks against Iran as Instruments of Hybrid Warfare
Utinková, Hana ; Špelda, Petr (advisor) ; Rosendorf, Ondřej (referee)
Cyber security is quickly becoming one of the most important issues in the field of global politics. For this reason, it is vital to pay attention to topics in this field since they can impact international relations in a major way. Inspired by this, the thesis is focused on analysis, characterization, and categorization of cyber-attacks, which had been aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran since 2007. The goal of the thesis is dual: to provide a complex picture of such incidents, and also to decide whether those attacks can be considered as evidence of hybrid warfare of some states against Iran. Data and reports about cyber-attacks were analyzed using AVOIDIT taxonomy in order to outline their basic characteristics. The characteristics were then contrasted with the definition of hybrid warfare. The final result of the analysis is that the cyber-attacks against Iran cannot be considered as hybrid warfare, because they do not meet the basic tenets of the concept of hybrid warfare. The aspiration of the thesis is to provide a clearer insight into the topic of cyber- attacks and global politics and can serve as a guide for future discussions since the topic of hybrid warfare has become very divisive.
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Swedish neutrality changes in the context of contemporary international security developments
Vlček, Tomáš ; Karásek, Tomáš (advisor) ; Rosendorf, Ondřej (referee)
1 Annotation This master thesis examines the changes in Swedish neutrality in the context of contemporary international security developments. Four international conflicts are chosen for this purpose: Kosovo War, Afghanistan War, Iraq War, and intervention in Libya. Subsequently, the conflicts are divided into four separate case studies where it is examined which one of the main security studies concepts most accurately reflects the motivation for Swedish participation or position taken. Factors are realism, liberalism and constructivism. A description of its relationship to neutrality is provided. The aim is to focus on the most repetitive or dominating factor in the individual case studies. Eventually, based on the Swedish identity change and the most repetitive factor, this study answers the research question for what reason and when has the Swedish neutrality changed.
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The Element of Surprise: A Study of Two Modern Surprise Attacks
Tadevosyan, Tatevik ; Ludvík, Jan (advisor) ; Rosendorf, Ondřej (referee)
The thesis analyses two modern surprise attacks - the 1982 Falklands War between Argentina and Great Britain; and the 2016 April War (also known as the Four Days War) among Azerbaijan, Armenia, and de facto Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. Using literature of the Theory of Surprise, the study tries to determine the reasons why states chose the strategy of surprise, and how did they decide on the timing of the wars. It also displays the shortcomings inherent in the strategy of surprise, and points out where the mistakes, false assumptions of the belligerents in these two cases studies lay. Finally, a comparative study of the cases highlights the ideas that can improve a state's preparedness and hopefully avoid surprise attacks in the future. Thesis title: The Element of Surprise: A Study of Two Modern Surprise Attacks Author: Tatevik Tadevosyan Study programme: Security Studies Supervisor: Dr Jan Ludvík, PhD Year of the defence: 2020
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Security of Space Traffic Management in the New Space Environment
Pražák, Jakub ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Rosendorf, Ondřej (referee)
The thesis elaborated on the sufficiency of space traffic management in the context of the emergence of the New Space environment. New Space introduces new space actors and private companies that wish to exploit outer space for business and profits. However, new ecosystem brings new challenges that endanger space activities and sustainability of outer space and are connected to the unsatisfactory legal regime, congested orbits, increasing number of space debris, and deteriorating relations among major space powers. The current status of space traffic management has significant deficiencies and requires substantial revitalization and reconsideration of norms. Though the states are still main actors in managing space activities, they are unable to push forward new rules to satisfy the needs of space of fast-paced New Space ecosystem. Hence, they should incorporate the commercial sector in negotiations to create new norms and legislative that would meet new space traffic requirements. Moreover, international bodies such as the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space should take a leading position, and national legislation should be coordinated according to international standards. The private sector can also be contributing to the development of new technology that would enhance...
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Campaign to stop 'killer robots': prospects of a preemptive ban on autonomous weapons systems
Rosendorf, Ondřej ; Smetana, Michal (advisor) ; Hynek, Nikola (referee)
This thesis addresses the issue of autonomous weapons systems and their potential preventive prohibition with regard to current international discussions at multilateral forums such as the Human Rights Council, First Committee of the General Assembly, and Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons at UN. The aim of this thesis is to provide an extensive empirical account of the substance of those discussions and their most likely outcome, estimating state preferences with use of content analysis and the likely outcome with median voter prediction. From a theoretical standpoint, the thesis draws from defensive realism and contributions of arms control, arms trade as well as institutionalist literature from which it draws the concept of legalization. From a methodological standpoint, the thesis relies on quantitative methods, in particular, content analysis for collection of data and median voter theorem for prediction of the likely outcome. In addition, the thesis uses the method of regression analysis to examine states' activity at the aforementioned fora. In conclusion, the thesis finds that the most likely outcome of discussions on autonomous weapons systems is a moderate-obligation form of hybrid regulation, which includes solutions such as framework convention and moratorium. Further finding of...
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The Trade Policy Review Mechanism: Shedding light on non-compliance?
Rosendorf, Ondřej ; Parízek, Michal (advisor) ; Karlas, Jan (referee)
This thesis examines the notion of monitoring mechanisms and their ability to identify non-compliance. The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) of the World Trade Organization constitutes the main focus of analysis. The purpose of the thesis is to improve the current empirical account of the functioning of the mechanism, and to examine the extent to which the mechanism is able to detect rule violations before they are taken up to the court, as well as factors affecting this ability. From theoretical standpoint, the thesis draws mainly upon rational institutionalism and other approaches related to notions of transparency and compliance. In particular, the thesis focuses on the concept of the so called information systems in international regimes. As regards methodology, the thesis relies on the method of content analysis the purpose of which is to procure empirical evidence of occurrence of matters related to non-compliance in trade policy reviews. Thus procured empirical evidence is then subjected to statistical analysis, including logistic regression. The thesis finds that TPRM covers surprisingly large number of matters that later become subjects of judicially confirmed rule-violations at the WTO. As much as 72% of the matters that are eventually taken up to court are mentioned in trade policy...
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