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Developing SpaceX's Grand Strategy Amidst A New Cold War
Tigmo, Christopher ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Landovský, Jakub (referee)
The Current Cold War poses a significant threat to SpaceX's terrestrial and extraterrestrial operations. This thesis aims to develop a SpaceX grand strategy with geopolitics and geoeconomics as the primary motives. The goal is analyze how this corporate grand strategy can be aligned with U.S. foreign policy ambitions, so that there is a symbiotic relationship and stable growth for both of them. By utilizing strategic coordinated investments the US can help SpaceX diversify and improve its economic/logistical resilience to foreign power influence, while simultaneously accomplishing US foreign policy ambitions.
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An analysis of Taiwan as a geoeconomic actor.
van Malderen, Otto ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Doboš, Bohumil (referee)
This thesis contains a geo-economic analysis of the Taiwanese Semiconductor industry from the perspective of the government of Taiwan ROC. Its goal is to expand the current literature on geoeconomics by proposing a model, taking into account the state's capacity to control its economy, and applying it to the case of the Taiwanese semiconductor industry. Specific consideration has gone into defining geo-economics so that it combines both internal coherence with external differentiation. The model applies developmental theory to the geoeconomic framework to incorporate structural constraints by political and economic interest groups on state-led geo-economic policy. The case study contains an in-depth analysis on the global semi- conductor industry, as well as Taiwan ROC's place within it and recent examples of its geo- economic use. While Taiwan ROC occupies a prominent place in the world of semiconductors, it is limited in its capacity to use it due to the contested identity of the Taiwanese people. This contested identity leads to a fractured political scene with distinct political goals between the two biggest parties, making long term strategic policy unattainable. This identity is moving closer and closer together over time, which might eventually increase the Taiwanese capacity to use its...
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Can't Buy Me Love: The Limitations of EU Intervention in Promoting Tunisian Democracy
Roman, Kelsey Elizabeth ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Martinková, Viera (referee)
Despite significant amounts of democratic and civil society aid offered by the EU over the past decade, Tunisia has backslid towards authoritarianism. What lessons can be learned about the effectiveness of democracy promotion in Tunisia from the EU perspective? This thesis aims to examine possible missteps of EU support for Tunisia's transitional democracy. I will argue that populist movements and civil society made transitions into democracy possible for Tunisia, and elite cooperation guaranteed initial success. The EU has made meaningful contributions to this process. However, E. U. funding funneled into narrow channels of civil society, as well as particular definition of democratic norms and development goals, and EU migration and trade agendas have neglected significant segments of the population and their grievances. In these ways the EU has undermined some of its substantial efforts in long-term democracy promotion. Unanswered grievances have set the stage for widespread political disillusionment and the populist backlash against democracy and civic engagement that led to the election of Kais Said. Finally, this thesis will make suggestions towards future EU democracy promotion in Tunisia in light of recent authoritarian regime shifts. For this case study, I will base my arguments on...
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Mongolia: A land between the Bear and the Dragon
Sutherland, Owen ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Doboš, Bohumil (referee)
This study delves into the geopolitics of buffer states, using Mongolia as a case study, providing a comprehensive analysis of its role in geopolitics. The research focuses on how Mongolia's interactions with Russia and China have shaped its pursuit of democracy. By exploring the interplay between recent and historical events, Mongolia's Third Neighbour Policy, and its extensive mineral wealth, this study offers a unique perspective on the role of buffer states in geopolitics. Employing a multidisciplinary approach that combines soft power and buffer state political theories, the research aims to dissect the complex dynamics of Mongolia's foreign policy. The central argument of this thesis is that a nation's recent past plays a crucial role in influencing its aspirations for democracy. Through examining Mongolia's historical context, this research demonstrates how experiences under Russian and Chinese influence have not only shaped the country's political landscape but have also impacted its commitment to democratic ideals. Moreover, the study highlights the significance of Mongolia's Third Neighbour Policy and the strategic utilisation of its vast mineral wealth as key factors in shaping its pursuit of democracy.
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Prevention of threats to Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System
Kouba, Tomáš ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Ludvík, Jan (referee)
This diploma thesis presents a single case study exploring how the Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a European autonomous navigation system, deals with threats. Space systems nowadays face many types of dangers including electronic, cyber, kinetic physical, directed energy or natural attacks. At this point, since Galileo GNSS is one of the most advanced technologies that is also considered to be a strategic one (for EU and ESA), it is important to reveal and describe the system's vulnerabilities to external material or technical threats. This diploma thesis describes the history, development, current situation and position of Galileo GNSS on the global scene. Furthermore, this thesis will summarize the possible material threats to space objects and finally operationalize them to the conditions of Galileo. The prevention measures identified as insufficient or improvement-worthy are then presented with recommendations for possible future development or enhancing factors which would increase Galileo's strategic service (PNT) safety.
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Influence of Violent Non-State Actors on Corporations in the Sahel
Dziak, Adam ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
West Africa's Sahel is one of the most unstable regions in the world. Despite its turbulent security situation and high amounts of political risk, foreign corporations dominate the region's extractive industry. Violent non-state actors and their activities present tangible physical risk to operations and employees of these corporations. Since extractive corporations present an important source of foreign direct investment in the region, if the risk far outweighs the costs for corporations they could be expected to pull out leaving the region in a worse economic state. Despite the salience of the topic, it is academically severely underdeveloped, with the majority of scholarship focusing on the region's broader geopolitical situation or specifically at the act of kidnapping with the intent to ransom. Aim of the research is to study the dynamics between violent non-state actors and corporations in order to identify security risks they face and how they react to them. This is accomplished through qualitative analysis of specific incidents, with special attention paid to countries of origin in order to determine whether non-western or western corporations are more risk averse. Findings indicate that corporations tend to halt their operations temporarily if attacked directly by violent non-state actors,...
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Russian soft power under Putin: The case of Cyprus
Varnava Tsiappas, Georgios ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Doboš, Bohumil (referee)
This thesis explores Russian soft power in Cyprus and how Russia uses specific techniques and strategies to exert this influence. Divided into eight sections, including a literature review on soft power, key concepts, theoretical framework, research methodology, historical overview and analysis of soft power tools employed by Russia; it reveals that Russia implements diverse methods such as media coverage, religious tactics cultural interventions or economic incentives in order to shape Cyprus' perceptions. Furthermore, the study demonstrates through exploration of domestic politics and societal attitudes towards Russian culture or values that their approach is indeed effective. This thesis, due to its uniqueness, contributes significantly to the academic literature regarding Russian soft power in the Eastern Mediterranean and specifically in Cyprus.
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French Foreign Policy In The Middle East, And North Africa, Through Neoclassical Realism
Pochat, Aymeric ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
The Mediterranean Sea binds the future of two worlds: Europe and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). France has long been involved in the region as a foreign power promoting security and stability. French foreign policy follows two guidelines: national independence and multilateralism. The objective is to remain an autonomous actor and secure French interests. To study its foreign policy, the cases of Libya, Lebanon, and Iran since 2011 were selected. In a world where power has fragmented, greater competition between multiple nations has accentuated insecurity. Adding to that socio-economic grievances that sparked the Arab Spring, the MENA region became a geopolitical battleground. The French responded to the growing restrictive and dangerous environment by further emphasising the need for security. Structural factors, such as its position within the system, create opportunities for formulating foreign policy; however, domestic issues, such as its weakened economy, also impedes the freedom with which it can pursue its objectives. Multilateralism has varying purposes; its variable nature can benefit immediate national interests but also hinder French efforts for greater influence, cooperation, and integration.
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South Sudan's border formation process: the case of Abyei
Porubčanová, Lenka ; Mičko, Branislav (advisor) ; Doboš, Bohumil (referee)
The Sudan-South Sudan boundary has been the flashpoint of long-standing disputes between the two states. The most volatile area, however, is the oil-rich territory of Abyei. In the complexity of the localized zone, it is not only oil that forms the basis for the intractability of the two state's territorial disputes. This thesis aims to apply a newly developed theory of boundary formation that conveys broad insights into the possible drivers and factors of the border's state, not only in its technical definition. To this end, the thesis monitors some of the most influential factors compared across chronological periods. In such a mechanism, the thesis concretizes the state of the frontier by the selected structuralist theory. The extract further suggests a bidirectional relationship between the influence of state apparatus and border populations on the final borderwork. Therefore, the reflexivity of the population equally contributes to the border's state. This result demonstrates the theoretical model's broad applicability and a multidisciplinary explanation of the local border dispute fixation. Despite the limited scope, and hence the casual relationships examined, the thesis contributes to the debate on the stimulus for Abyei's territorial boundary tensions to some extent.
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