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Pakistani Foreign Fighters in Afghanistan, Kashmir and Syria: A Comparative Analysis of Drivers of Radicalization
Rani, Mehwish ; Bureš, Oldřich (vedoucí práce) ; Anceschi, Luca (oponent) ; Biagini, Erika (oponent)
This study compares the drivers of radicalization of Pakistani foreign fighters in Afghanistan, Kashmir and Syria. It tries to understand what unique drivers attract Pakistani foreign fighters to each of these conflict zones. It also examines the degree to which the existing literature on radicalization in general and foreign fighters in particular, mainly produced in a western context, can be used to understand the Pakistani foreign fighters. The study is based on twenty- two semi-structured interviews conducted with experts from police counter terrorism departments, journalists, researchers, senior officials from National Counter Terrorism Authority, and members of religious groups in Pakistan, which were then analysed to determine the relative significance of different drivers for Pakistani fighters travelling to Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Syria. The results show that many drivers that feature prominently in the existing radicalization literature, such as ideology, propaganda, and recruitment networks, are useful for explaining what draws Pakistani foreign fighters to particular conflicts. At the same time, however, the results of my analysis also identified several drivers that have not been highlighted in the Western literature on Muslim radicalization thus far, including geographical proximity...
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Threat Assessments and Intelligence Sharing: Toward Desecuritisation of School Shootings in the United States
Roth, Caitlyn Regan ; Anceschi, Luca (vedoucí práce) ; Hynek, Nikola (oponent) ; Dowd, Caitriona (oponent)
'The first step in developing effective assessment approaches and appropriate policy is to identify clearly the types of behavior or outcomes that one is trying to prevent' (Chavez, 1999; Furlong & Morrison, 2000 quoted in Reddy et al, 2001, 158-59). This dissertation answers the question of why a skewed perception of risk exists for the threat of school shootings in the United States. It further seeks to propose the creation of an intelligence database to inform threat assessment teams in schools to increase knowledge of threat communications and behaviours of potential shooters. This assessment is significant to understanding how the skewed assessment of risk negatively impacts the implementation of prevention policies, resulting in a failure to prevent school shootings and lasting detrimental consequences on the learning environment. By applying the Copenhagen School's securitisation theory to US policy responses, discursive language will be analyzed to support the claim that school shootings are perceived as an existential threat to the United States, marking a successful securitisation. A within case analysis of unfavorable policies will inform the selection of a policy recognized in the research as a positive step toward achieving desecuritisation. The policy, behavioural threat assessment,...
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Popular Culture Television Productions & Securitization Narratives: A Case Study of Turkey From 2016 Onwards
Elesaaki, Aliaa ; Kilroy, Walt (vedoucí práce) ; Anceschi, Luca (oponent) ; Karásek, Tomáš (oponent)
This thesis project aims to critically analyse implicit and explicit messages within a sample of popular culture entertainment productions in Turkey through a multi-layered macro and micro data analysis methodology. The conceptual framework used to analyse the qualitative data is dependent on Entertainment Education theory, which is a communication strategy that is utilized to formulate and produce entertainment productions that can influence or alter individual and society-wide behaviours as well as perceptions. Furthermore, Securitization theory is also used as part of the conceptual framework for the qualitative analysis because the primary aim of this thesis project is to detect and analyse the underlying securitization narratives within the sample of local popular culture entertainment productions, in relevance to the government securitization agenda and policies, as well as the effects and consequences of such narratives on society, as well as national and foreign policy. Therefore, the primary aims of this thesis project can be divided into three elements: 1. To detect then analyse the securitization narratives within the sample Turkish popular culture productions. 2. To comparatively analyse these securitization narratives in relevance to the government securitization efforts, agenda, and...
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Panic and the Perpetuum Mobile of Populist Right-Wing Propaganda: An Ontological Perspective of Political Security Communication
Pronk, Marijn Elle ; Fitzgerald, James (vedoucí práce) ; Anceschi, Luca (oponent) ; Aslan, Emil (oponent)
Panic and the Perpetuum Mobile of Populist Right-Wing Propaganda: An Ontological Perspective of Political Security Communication July 2020 Glasgow Student Number: 2409522P Dublin City Student Number: 18114598 Charles Student Number: 50023595 Presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies Word Count: 24.195 Supervisor: Dr. James Fitzgerald Date of Submission: 30th July 2020 Abstract The rise of polarizing narratives being spread online, and the successes of various Right-Wing Populist Movements and parties illustrate a seemingly causational tie to the change in the media landscape. Capturing the ontological zeitgeist, Populist Right-Wing movements use fears and hesitations of groups to trigger anxiety, consequently bottling the political energy generated for their own political gain by populist framing. By combining the Ontological Security Theory (OST), framing populism as a style of political communication, and the technology-political communication nexus as highlighted in the Political Communication Cycle, the aforementioned developments are tested to see how ontological insecurities based on identity rhetoric are weaponized against the backdrop of a new technological communicative reality. Using historical...
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Countering Islamist Radicalisation: A Comparative Study of Bulgaria and France's Practices, Experiences and Challenges
Nocheva, Nikolena Hristova ; Anceschi, Luca (vedoucí práce) ; Hynek, Nikola (oponent) ; Biagini, Erika (oponent)
This study aims to contribute to Islamist radicalisation and terrorism research in the EU context. It compares and assesses the counter-radicalisation policies that Bulgaria and France adopt. In addition, it seeks to evaluate whether effective practices can be incorporated and adopted in the respective countries. This study grounds its theoretical criticism within Lindekilde's theoretical framework for policy effectiveness. To analyse and better comprehend the main ingredients in the countries' counter-radicalisation model, this study relies on a hermeneutic methodology. The study uses Lindekilde's four evaluative criteria (time, policy design & logic, reception and implementation) to determine whether the existing counter radicalisation policies are well suited to their national contexts. The findings from this study indicate that Bulgaria and France share similar struggles with the implementation of their proposed measures. The study argues that both countries could improve their counter-radicalisation practices provided they introduce measures from a soft character. More precisely, the findings suggest that effective counter radicalisation policies are those which are tailored to the population's local needs and those which benefit from engaging with the richness of their societies. Key words:...
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Drivers of violent extremism in Central Asian States: A comparative analysis
Niiazbek Kyzy, Aida ; Aslan, Emil (vedoucí práce) ; Anceschi, Luca (oponent)
DRIVERS OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN CENTRAL ASIAN STATES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Abstract Achieving success in the fight against extremism is impossible without understanding its causes and conditions of occurrence. Solving the problem of preventing and qualifying extremist manifestations requires understanding the essence and the determinants of violent extremism. This thesis analyses the main driving factors for violent extremism, particularly for Central Asian states and carries out a comparative analysis for five given states. Based on this goal, this thesis explores the concept of radicalization and violent extremism, considers various models of radicalisation that exist in the literature, and indicates the main reasons and conditions affecting radicalisation that are peculiar to the Central Asian states. Using a systematic approach and a comparative analysis of the available literature, synthesis and logical generalisation of the results obtained, the article clarifies the concept of violent extremism and its signs. Also, it highlights a complex of contextual risk factors for radicalisation specific to the states of the region. The use of the research results can contribute to a deeper understanding of the causes of violent extremism and, as a result, it can help to improve preventive measures in Central...
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Understanding the current threat of bioterrorism: A study of violent non-state actors' online instruction manuals
Ekren, Frida ; Anceschi, Luca (vedoucí práce) ; Dowd, Caitriona (oponent)
Against the backdrop of a pandemic that has overwhelmed and caused great damage to nations across the world, the issue of bioterrorism has received renewed attention. There is increasing concern that ill-intentioned actors' interest in bioterrorism might revive as Violent Non-State Actors (VNSAs) are witnessing the devastating effect of biological threat agents and national authorities' inability to control the COVID virus and its consequences. Simultaneously, technological developments are decreasing the economical, practical, and intellectual barriers for VNSAs to enact advanced mass destruction bioterrorist attacks. The crux then, lies in the fact that bioterrorism-related incidents, thus far, have been scarce and limited in scope despite increasing technological opportunities. Indeed, the world has yet to witness a successful mass casualty bioterrorist attack. The divergence between the room of opportunity available to VNSAs and the seeming lack of efforts to exploit these opportunities to advance their bioterrorism capabilities, instigates further research on the issue to improve our understanding of the current and future bioterrorism threat. This paper aims to improve our understanding of the bioterrorism threat by conducting an empirically grounded qualitative evaluation of VNSAs' current...
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Hezbollah's military wing: A factor in local and regional strategy
Hindaily, Maryana Jamil ; Weinfurter, Jaroslav (vedoucí práce) ; Anceschi, Luca (oponent)
Hezbollah's Military Wing: A Factor in Local and Regional Strategy July 2021 University of Glasgow: 2486496H Dublin City University: 19108753 Charles University: 62921350 Presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies Word Count: 20565 Supervisor: Jaroslav Weinfurter Date of Submission: August 2nd , 2021 2 Abstract This research explores how Hezbollah has influenced local and regional policymaking dynamics after the Arab Spring era. It analysed the balance between the activities of Hezbollah in Lebanon and outside, identified the role and structure of Hezbollah's military branch and whether Hezbollah's military branch has an impact on Iran's leadership. Hezbollah's military branch has a significant influence on the stability of Lebanon, the Middle East, and the rest of the globe. The research analyses Hezbollah's regional and local influence using a qualitative methodology using two semi-structured interviews with Matthew Levitt and General Elias Hanna. The secondary source consists of the literature to comprehend the complicated nature of the organisation. The results demonstrate that the military wing of Hezbollah is competent and has a significant impact on the local and regional dynamics of the area. The research...
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Arctic Defence Diplomacy: Comparative Document and Discourse Analysis of the Arctic Security Strategies of the 'Arctic Five'
Ricker, Johnathon ; Ditrych, Ondřej (vedoucí práce) ; Anceschi, Luca (oponent)
Johnathon Rickero International Securityo Intelligenceo and Strategic Studieso University of Glasgow Abstract of Master's Dissertation, Submitted 28 JuIy 2017: Arctic Defence Diplomacy: Comparative Document and Discourse Analysis of the Arctic Security Strategies of the oArctic Five, The aim of this dissertation project is to investigate the prevalence and potential for the application of defence diplomacy within the Arctic region. The primary documents of analysis for this study were the five Arctic strategies produced by the liuoral nation states of the Arctic Ocean: Canada, Kingdom of Denmark (Greenland); Kingdom of Norway; Russian Federation; and the United States of America. As the Arctic remains a trapped within the security dilemma, due to its changing geography, previous research has supported the development of defence diplomacy as an active stabiliser to the region's uncertain environment. For this reason, the author further investigated the potential of regional defence diplomacy through document and discourse analysis of the national Arctic security strategies. In alignment with previous research, the security strategies were first analysed individually and then in a comparative study. The individual analysis produced critical background information and analysis on the Arctic states' perceived...
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Short sticks and Rotting Carrots: Changing Coup-Proofing Structures in Post-Civil War Syria
Florescu, Radu ; Kučera, Tomáš (vedoucí práce) ; Anceschi, Luca (oponent)
Following the loss of Egypt as its primary ally in 1979, Syria went through a drastic build-up of its armed forces. By 1983, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) had swelled to nearly 500,000 active duty personnel from 50,000 at the onset of the 1967 Israeli conflict, constituting one of the largest military forces in the region (Kurt:2016, pp.116). However, what may have appeared to external observers as a powerful regional military force, it was in fact an institution plagued with rampant paternalism, criminal business networks and various competing praetorian factions. While some would view this as simply another 'unavoidable' characteristic of a third world state, many of these factors were in fact created by the regime in power to insulate itself from potential military intrusion into the existing political status quo. With its weak civil society, low regime legitimacy, and rich history of past military putsches, Syria has always been prone to an elevated, theoretical risk of a coup d'état (Belkin & Schofer:2003, pp.595; Gasserbner & al.:2016, pp.302). It has since been proven that through various controls by the military command, no internal or domestic force would have the means nor the incentive to replace the regime, even during times of great political crisis (Luttwak:1969, pp.16). While this...
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