|
| |
|
|
Systemic separatism of Chechen Republic
Kovbuz, Mikhail ; Aslan, Emil (advisor) ; Šír, Jan (referee)
Systemic separatism of Chechen Republic is a thesis dedicated to a relationship between Chechen republic and Russian Federation. This thesis is analyzing how far independence of Chechnya on Russia currently reaches, while also comparing the current state of Chechen affairs to what it was during Russian-Chechen conflict and the period of Chechen, de facto, independence in between those wars. Four chapters of this thesis analyze Russo-Chechen relationship from five different points of view - political, economic, personal and military- security. These is also a fifth chapter dedicated solely to historical context, which is a key to understanding development of Chechen Republic since the fall of the Soviet Union. Throughout all chapters an in-depth analysis of possible future development of the republic may be found.
|
|
|
Iranian Azerbaijanis: A Threat for the stability of the Iranian regime?
Kolářová, Michaela ; Aslan, Emil (advisor) ; Horák, Slavomír (referee)
Azerbaijanis constitute the largest minority living in Iran. They are concentrated in three northern provinces of Iran on the borders with the Republic of Azerbaijan. The very fact sets up a strong potential for separatism on the part of Iranian Azerbaijanis. Therefore, the main objective of the paper is to analyze to what extent Iranian Azerbaijanis possess a sense of collective identity, either national or ethnic. The paper also explores to what degree this collective identity evokes separatist tendencies among Iranian Azerbaijanis or whether the Iranian regime's fear of Azerbaijani irredentism is justified. The paper comes to the conclusion that Azerbaijanis in Iran indeed have an awareness of collective identity based on their ethnic origin which dissociates them from the Persian majority. In the past few years, they have started to speak out and demand cultural emancipation, most of all to be allowed to study in their own language. Although Iranian Azerbaijanis have political demands, they primarily seek for their minority rights, perhaps even autonomy but there are no indicators so far that they strive for secession from the Iranian state. Nothing implies that Iranian Azerbaijanis wish to establish an independent state of their own or accede to the Republic of Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, this...
|
|
|
Islam and the Russian state : a poststructuralist approach to analysing identity and policy discourse
Ferrando, Paolo ; Aslan, Emil (advisor) ; Šír, Jan (referee)
This thesis aims at identifying and analysing the basic discourses constructed around Russian Islam by both the Kremlin and the three leading Muslim organisations. Starting out from the largely poststructuralist premise that identity and policy are ontologically co-constitutive, the link between the two is explored in relation to three basic discourses and their articulation into two specific policies. The Russian Muslim Self is revealed to be discursively embraced by the Kremlin as part of Russian identity by emphasising the multinational nature of the latter, the cooperation between state and Muslim organisations against the common threat of extremism and the need for religiously defined moral values to be conferred on the younger generations. The identity produced by these discourses both articulates and is legitimised by policy and points to a constant renegotiation of how Russian Islam fits into the broader identity of the Russian state.
|
|
|
The Impact of the Armenian Lobby on American Foreign Policy on the Development of Section 907 from 1992 to 2002: Possibilities and Limits of Ethnic Lobbies Within US Legislative Process
Plaňanská, Jana ; Bečka, Jan (advisor) ; Aslan, Emil (referee)
Bachelor thesis deals with the impact of ethnic lobbies on US Foreign policy, its aim is to find out by which mechanisms and to which extent can ethnic lobbies really exert their influence on American legislative process. In order to achieve that the thesis examines the influence of the Armenian lobby on US Foreign policy on the development of Section 907, an amendment of Freedom Support Act, in the period from 1992 to 2002. The amendment was accepted thanks to broad activities of the Armenian lobby in 1992. However, it was waived already in 2002 due to fundamental geopolitical changes and in spite of active efforts of the lobby. In order to understand deep processes leading up to these two important milestones of Armenian lobby influence, the thesis is divided into three chapters. Whereas the first one examines the specific development of Armenian community in the USA leading up to the unique structure of two completely independent, yet at the same time highly effective, interest groups, the second and the third one offer a detailed analysis of Section 907. Both chapters consequently focus on the processes leading up to its approval and waiver as well as mechanisms, by which the Armenian lobby tried to exert its influence within American Congress. The conclusion of the thesis summarizes its main...
|
|
|
Systemic separatism of Chechen Republic
Kovbuz, Mikhail ; Aslan, Emil (advisor) ; Horák, Slavomír (referee)
Systemic separatism of Chechen Republic is a thesis dedicated to a relationship between Chechen republic and Russian Federation. This thesis is analyzing how far independence of Chechnya on Russia currently reaches, while also comparing the current state of Chechen affairs to what it was during Russian-Chechen conflict and the period of Chechen, de facto, independence in between those wars. Four chapters of this thesis analyze Russo-Chechen relationship from five different points of view - political, economic, personal and military- security. These is also a fifth chapter dedicated solely to historical context, which is a key to understanding development of Chechen Republic since the fall of the Soviet Union. Throughout all chapters an in-depth analysis of possible future development of the republic may be found.
|
|
|
France's mal-être: Exploring the root causes and other explanatory factors behind the rise of radicalization in France.
Gallard, Alice Mathilde ; Aslan, Emil (advisor) ; Charvát, Jan (referee)
This thesis will provide readers with an in-depth understanding of the root causes and risks factors of Islamic radicalisation in France. It argues that Islamic radicalisation in France cannot solely be explained through one factor. This research argues that mental illnesses, deception, trauma and relative deprivation do not give a solid impetus for individuals to radicalize. Rather, radicalisation in France should be understood as an association of socio-economic, psychological, and political factors. Given the misuse of the term, the first chapter has been dedicated to its definition and to the differences between cognitive and behavioural radicalisation. Such differentiation is necessary for a thorough understanding of the topic. The second chapter gives a clear and concise overview of the different models and theories of radicalisation, contributing to a quick introduction to the different root causes and risk factors of radicalisation. The third chapter consists of a review and analysis of the available literature on the risk factors of radicalisation while the fourth and final chapter consists of an analysis of said factors in light of the French case, ultimately aiming to understand which root causes and risk factors are of high relevance in the case of France. All in all, this thesis sheds...
|
|
|
Constructing Nagorno-Karabakh: a diachronic discourse analysis
Davidson White, Imogen ; Aslan, Emil (advisor) ; Horák, Slavomír (referee)
In over 20 years of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, there has been no significant progress towards a peaceful agreement. It has been argued that there is not enough incentive for leaders to agree to a compromise and that the citizens are not ready to accept one. In this context, the way the conflict and the enemy are described in public discourse is important not only because it represents the viewpoints of those producing the discourse but because it can have a real effect on public opinion. This paper examines discourse on Azerbaijan and the future of Nagorno-Karabakh in an official newspaper, showing that distrust of Azerbaijan and rigid expectations about the future of Nagorno-Karabakh are dominant.
|
|
|
The Middle Eastern alliances: Analysis of relations and further development of the region
Eštoková, Denisa ; Aslan, Emil (advisor) ; Ditrych, Ondřej (referee)
Examining any topic in the Middle East requires a general knowledge because of the region's complexity and dynamics. Important characteristics is the link of Islam and politics, because this relation shaped political establishment of states. The strategic location and rich natural resources of this part of the world were tempting also for the global superpowers whose engagement divided the Middle Eastern states, particularly during the Cold War. An analysis of the factors and events that led to the formation of alliances and rivalries in the Middle East is the goal of this work. Research will focus on alliances of Iran and its Shia allies on the one hand and Saudi Arabia with the rest of Sunni monarchies on the other. Unlike other alliances mentioned in the work, these two blocks have long term character. They are also specific because of sectarian differences, their stance towards the United States and Israel and shared responses to emerging threats. Historical development of Middle Eastern alliances begins with the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, continues with the both World wars, the Israeli-Arab conflict, the Islamic revolution in Iran and other milestones which were meaningful in shaping inter-state relations in the region. The modern period moves from invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq to...
|
|
|
Comparison of the counter-insurgency strategy in Iraq in 2007 and 2014
Bora, Daniel ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Aslan, Emil (referee)
This thesis deals with the use of the counter-insurgency strategy in Iraq in 2007 and 2014. In the first part the author defines key concepts like insurgency, legitimacy and COIN doctrine. The part dealing with COIN is extended by two modifications of the US army's field manual FM 3-24/MCWP 3-33.5 from 2007 and 2014 which, in fact, applies COIN principles on the specific Iraqi environment. Followed by two case studies, which describe the particular strategy in Iraq in 2007 and 2014. At the end of each case study empirical data are is examined. For text continuity the first case study is extended by a chapter which describes interim between 2010 and 2014 and points out possible causes of the emergence of ISIS. The final chapter provides a comparison of the two examined case studies and the author tries to evaluate the success of each of them. Eventually the author provides recommendations which should prevent the re- emergence of groups like ISIS or AQI. Another outcome of this thesis is a prediction of possible development in Iraq.
|
guest ::
