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Towards a 'more united Union' in security and defence: the case of EMILYO
Schianchi, Eleonora ; McDonagh, Ken (vedoucí práce) ; Kučera, Tomáš (oponent)
Towards a 'more united Union' in security and defence: The case of EMILYO Abstract The topic of security and defence integration has sparked a great deal of debate among scholars, and the literature has yet to produce a theory that can account for the variety of elements at work. This research project aims to shed some theoretical light on the still unclear process of EU integration in security and defence, arguing that, notwithstanding the importance of material factors, the role of ideas and widely held beliefs cannot be overlooked. To support this claim, the dissertation will use the programme of mobility for Cadets, the European Initiative for the Exchange of Young Officers (EMILYO) as a case study. First, by applying a theoretical framework designed by Meyer and Strickmann (2011) which combines insights from the Realist tradition (specifically Neoclassical Realist insights) and the focus on ideational factors typical of Constructivism, to demonstrate the importance of a coherent synthesis of theories to incorporate both material and ideational factors. Then, starting from the assumption that further integration can be reached only by fostering a European 'sense of belonging' among the citizens, and thus military personnel, the dissertation explores the outcomes of the experience for the Cadets on an...
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The demonization of women's health and the criminalization of abortion: a health security threat and violation of human rights
Sobrero, Eleonora ; McDonagh, Ken (vedoucí práce) ; Scotto, Thomas (oponent)
Eleonora Sobrero 2702631S Abstract This thesis explores the multifaceted issue of the demonisation of women's health and the criminalisation of abortion, highlighting its profound implications for health security and human rights violations. The study focuses on the cases of the United States and Poland, analysing the waves of liberalisation and repression of access to abortion and the persecutory methods resulting from criminalisation. Starting with a comparison of the abortion waves in the two countries, which originated in the mid-20th century and triggered opposite reactions, the research explores the subsequent ebb and flow of abortion rights. Recent events, such as the Polish Constitutional Court's ban on abortion for foetal harm in 2020 and the reversal of Roe v. Wade in the United States in 2022, highlight contemporary challenges to abortion access. Analysis of maternal mortality rates reveals significant differences between the case studies. Poland's top-down approach fostered a robust anti-abortion movement that led to prolonged restrictions. In contrast, U.S. legislation was achieved through feminist struggle, leading to a more gradual but steady approach to restrictions. These differences in legal frameworks manifested themselves in different trends in maternal mortality and access to...
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Flying Under the Radar: Understanding US Influence on Air Power Strategies of Non-Major Allies
Mongardini, Thomas ; Kučera, Tomáš (vedoucí práce) ; McDonagh, Ken (oponent)
This dissertation investigates the influence exerted by the United States on the formulation of air power development strategies by its allied nations. The study specifically concentrates on three case studies, namely Morocco, Chile, and Australia. Through the implementation of a comparative analysis, the primary objective of this study is to discern commonalities and disparities, thereby offering valuable perspectives on the political, economic, and security determinants that shape these phenomena. This study additionally investigates the repercussions of the United States' role in the global air power domain and potential policy adaptations in light of evolving geopolitical conditions. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of primary and secondary sources, this research provides unique insights into the complex interplay between national defence strategies and international military alliances. The findings of this study carry significant implications for policy deliberations concerning international military collaboration. The aforementioned source offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the United States' strategy in enhancing the air power capabilities of its allied nations.
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Elite Level Securitization of Migration and the 2016 EU-Turkey Statement
Flynn, Martin Pierce ; McDonagh, Ken (vedoucí práce) ; Bureš, Oldřich (oponent)
This research project performs a discourse analysis on a corpus of speeches from Presidents of the European Commission relating to Syria from the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011 to the formulation of the 2016 EU-Turkey Statement. It addresses the following research question: In what ways has the speech of the President of the European Commission contributed to the securitization of migration resulting from the Syrian civil war? Through the use of securitization theory and leadership theory, several conclusions were drawn from the results of the discourse analysis. These included identifying a range of discursive and non-discursive practices deployed by both Barroso and Juncker to contribute to the securitization of migration into the EU. In Juncker's case, he simultaneously attempted to de-securitize the issue and pushed for policies which sought to provide a long-term de-securitized solution to the phenomenon of irregular migration into the European Union. Juncker's partial success as a transformative leader in the EU's migration and asylum seeker policy shows that the habitus of the President is influential in regard to the formulation of the EU's refugee and asylum policy. The situational-institutional context can, however, prevent the President from implementing their desired policies.
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Easier said than done: Analysis of EU strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse in the online realm
Vega Torrelo, Ana ; Prina, Federica (vedoucí práce) ; McDonagh, Ken (oponent)
2 Abstract This research aims to understand the securitization process of online child sexual abuse by analysing the EU strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse in the online realm published in 2020 and other additional sources. The objectives are to get insights into how this institution presented this threat, to analyse what tools are being used and how whether a securitization process is being carried out. For that purpose, employing critical discourse analysis as the research method and following Balzacq's conceptualization of the securitization theory, this research examines all the initiatives proposed in the strategy, analysing the securitization through speech and practice. The main finding is that the European Commission has failed to successfully securitize online child sexual abuse. Gaps between the speeches and practices have been identified: measures to tackle this issue have been presented, but the needed actions that follow have not been completely executed. Further, issues concerning the Commission's authority and unbalanced power relation with the functional actors, lack of prioritization of the initiatives as well as lack of criticism and suitable connexions among the initiatives have been identified. Keywords: online child sexual abuse, securitization process, EU...
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Risk assessment: VNSAs' ability to achieve CBRN capabilities
Lucas, Makenzie Troi ; McDonagh, Ken (vedoucí práce) ; Aslan, Emil (oponent)
Academics disagree on the risk of VNSAs being able to build or acquire CBRN weapons. Their analysis is based on motivation, geographical factors, potential targets, and VNSA group attributes. Missing is the detailed investigation of how and where a VNSA obtains the necessary precursor materials and the type of security surrounding common materials used for CBRN weapons. This paper will explore the possible routes an actor could take to acquire the knowledge, skills, and materials necessary to make an operable CBRN weapon. Case studies are used to show past routes that allowed VNSAs to achieve capability and the type of weapon and attack utilized. The implementation of regulations, both in response to CBRN attacks and their effectiveness in preventing VNSA CBRN weapon capability, are analyzed. Public online forums, weapons manuals and weapons research along with past prosecuted criminal CBRN attacks revealed the financial capacity needed to acquire materials as well as the technical capacity required to build a successful CBRN system. Existing databases logging insecurity in nuclear facilities, radioisotope thefts, chemical and biological incidents and more are used to establish trends among past and present pursuits and use of CBRN weapons. Viable routes to CBRN capability remain reenforcing the...
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Insurgent Assassinations: A Theoretical Analysis of Targeted Killing in Chechnya and Dagestan
Gorringe, Zoe Louise ; Florea, Adrian (vedoucí práce) ; McDonagh, Ken (oponent) ; Kazharski, Aliaksei (oponent)
2 Abstract Assassinations are some of the least understood methods of violence used in insurgencies. This paper discusses the potential drivers for the use of assassinations by insurgents, to argue that grievances, structural inequalities and religious ideology are the most prominent drivers for assassinations. The discussion is developed through a comparative case study of insurgents in Chechnya and Dagestan using descriptive statistics, to critically assess the saliency of diverging theoretical explanations for what drives the use of assassinations and variations in target type and methods used. Cultural, structural and ideological explanations are found to be the most effective at explaining this phenomenon.
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The Authoritarian Shortcut: Russia's Unorthodox Population-Centric Counterinsurgency during the Second Chechen War and Strategic Implications for Western Military Planners
Colombo, Roberto ; Aliyev, Huseyn (vedoucí práce) ; McDonagh, Ken (oponent) ; Aslan, Emil (oponent)
Dissertation title: The Authoritarian Shortcut: Russia's Unorthodox Population-Centric Counterinsurgency during the Second Chechen War and Strategic Implications for Western Military Planners. Author: Roberto Colombo Abstract For authoritarian incumbents, waging counterinsurgency (COIN) warfare is often a wantonly cruel, yet remarkably successful business. While previous research has shown that authoritarian regimes employ a wide array of kinetic and non-kinetic techniques to suppress insurgency, the authoritarian model of COIN warfare remains heavily under-theorised. This study proposes a novel theoretical framework expounding the logic of authoritarian COIN operations and empirically examines its mechanisms by looking at Russia's COIN experience during the Second Chechen War. In investigating the strategic rationale underpinning the authoritarian toolkit of COIN measures, this research aims at establishing whether authoritarian counterinsurgents can effectively deliver mission success. Drawing upon a large pool of secondary sources and primary data collected during face-to-face interviews with eyewitnesses of the Chechen conflict, this study demonstrates that Moscow prevailed against the rebels by resorting to a sophisticated combination of heavy-handed intelligence, information, military, political, and...
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State of the Field: the Concept of Nativism in Far-Right Ideology
Ondet, Juliette ; Aslan, Emil (vedoucí práce) ; McDonagh, Ken (oponent) ; Aliyev, Huseyn (oponent)
During the past few years, nativist ideology and discourses have been more ad more present in far-right parties. A remarkable amount of literature has been produced to study the phenomenon. However, this produces a cacophony in the research field that this dissertation seeks to address. This work is delineating the borders of the field and analysing the main themes, subthemes and debates about nativism. Through a systematic research analysis, this dissertation demonstrates that the field suffers from its Western and historical centrism and is often confused with populism or nationalism. Overall, racist, economic and symbolic nativism are the three core components of nativist ideology and have different causes and consequences in political and social future of nation- states. This dissertation also questions the appropriateness of the concept in non-Western areas, finding a great potential for the future of the field.
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The Global War on Terror and Macrosecuritisation: An Analysis of U.S. Discourse at the United Nations General Assembly Post-9/11
Mehta, Jaina ; McDonagh, Ken (vedoucí práce) ; Střítecký, Vít (oponent) ; Karyotis, Georgios (oponent)
Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the global and political discourse on security changed. The systems-level macrosecuritisation of terrorism, under the umbrella of the Global War on Terror, began a new era of security politics. Soon, most nation-states around the world had considerations and opinions about terror and what to do about terrorist threat, not just as individuals, but as a collective, international community. In an attempt to dissect this macrosecuritisation, this dissertation focuses on the process of securitisation that considers speech acts as securitising moves against perceived threats. This dissertation aims to discover if the United States made macrosecuritising moves against terrorism, using universalist language, on the platform of the United Nations General Assembly. Using NVivo software and discourse analysis, speeches made by U.S. representatives, Presidents George W. Bush, and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, are analysed.
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