This thesis aims to discuss how modern-day sanctions came to be. It argues that sanctions are a direct result of World War One Entente economic and financial policies towards the central powers,...Show moreThis thesis aims to discuss how modern-day sanctions came to be. It argues that sanctions are a direct result of World War One Entente economic and financial policies towards the central powers, which were then repurposed to be used in peace time after the war as an instrument to enforce the will of the newly established League of Nations.Show less
Organized cybercrime groups (OCGs) are a significant threat to the security of European critical infrastructure, but little is understood about the impact of conflict on their operations. With the...Show moreOrganized cybercrime groups (OCGs) are a significant threat to the security of European critical infrastructure, but little is understood about the impact of conflict on their operations. With the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, this can result in unpredictable situations, weakening defensive capabilities. Not much has yet been written on the influence of war on these groups, but the dominant view is that OCGs will invariably act towards monetary gain, coming from studies of ‘traditional’ organized crime. Data is used from cyber threat reports and interviews with industry-leading experts to explore the influence of the war on the operations of OCGs towards critical infrastructure, and to find explanations for a change in behaviour. Using qualitative thematic analysis, configurated using Rational Choice Theory (RCT) by Mandelcorn et al. (2016), the findings are analysed to get an academic and generalizable understanding of the phenomenon. In line what has often been assumed with ‘traditional’ organized crime, OCGs continued acting with financial profit as their goal, which can be explained using Rational Choice Theory. Contrarily, some groups politically aligned themselves with Russia or Ukraine, which is more difficult to justify using RCT. Therefore, this thesis proposes a contribution to the theory by incorporating political ideology specifically.Show less
In this paper, I explore the relationship between realist theory and the phenomenon of revolution. Realism, being one of the key IR theories and considering the inherently conflictual nature of...Show moreIn this paper, I explore the relationship between realist theory and the phenomenon of revolution. Realism, being one of the key IR theories and considering the inherently conflictual nature of revolutions, has surprising little to say on this topic specifically. My aim thus is to elucidate how revolutions can be understood through existing realist theory. I do this through an analysis of the key texts and authors of Classical Realism and Structural Realism, highlighting the aspects of the thought which is applicable. I wish to demonstrate that realism is a strong theoretical tool for understanding these events, and I parse out four key attributes through which to do so. Revolutions’ Amplification of material power, Challenge to the Status Quo, their Amour-Propre and their Break in Communication with other states. In all, I provide a review of Revolution and Realism thus far, identify its key theoretical tools and suggest a framework for further research.Show less
On the 24th of February,1848, the Belgian ambassador in London informed the English Foreign Minister Palmerston of the Belgian stance regarding the new developments in France. The ambassador told...Show moreOn the 24th of February,1848, the Belgian ambassador in London informed the English Foreign Minister Palmerston of the Belgian stance regarding the new developments in France. The ambassador told Palmerston that “a republican France was an aggressive and conquering France.” The memories of the French Revolutionary Wars and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars were still fresh in Europe. Had it not been a French Republic that had threatened the European Balance of Power, subduing the existing states and creating puppet states across the continent? A French Republic that had turned on its rightful king and deposed him before trying to subjugate the lawful order in Europe? The same Republic that had turned into an imperial power under the guidance of Napoleon the likes of which had not been seen since the days of Rome? The parallels to the events of 1789 had to have been frightening to the crowned heads of Europe and their governments. On the 24th, Frederick William IV of Prussia informed Victoria of Britain that he looked at France in fear of a new European war. In the newly formed nation of Belgium, the news of the new French Revolution was met with dread in governmental circles. In the Netherlands, the messages from the French capital of Paris were met with anticipation and uneasiness. When Tsar Nicholas heard of the news he reacted calmly, but immediately stated that Russia would march to war if any infractions were made on existing treaties. He also put a million more rubles at the disposal of the war ministry. Additionally, he wrote a letter to Victoria that a Russo-British union as discussed in 1844 may be needed to ensure stability in Europe. The general consensus at the time among the leaders of European nations was that war was inevitable. France was militarily, by virtue of its population, still one of the most powerful nations on the continent and if it would lead to war, it would mean untold destruction in a display that would appear to be a replica of the events that had happened a little over three decades ago. In the Low Countries, the subject of this thesis, the consequences of the Belgian Revolution of 1830 were still felt strongly. The Belgian Revolution had broken out after the July Revolution in Paris, that had seen the Orleanist take-over of France. It seemed likely that this new French Revolution, a Republican Revolution this time, would also move beyond the borders of France into the Low Countries and bring about another time of violence and war in Belgium and the Netherlands. Except history does not move in predictable patterns. Knowledge of the past does not make one a seer and although a war may have seemed inevitable, it was avoided nonetheless. The diplomatic crisis surrounding this new French Revolution however, is often downplayed in historical works, which have mostly focused on the spread of Revolution across the continent when discussing 1848. Yet, revolution and war were intrinsically linked at the time, especially if that revolution occurred in France. A Revolutionary France would mean a threat to European peace and the balance of power, but it was also a beacon for revolutionaries across the continent who felt supported by a Republican France that might come to their aid, militarily if need be. It may ultimately have been the case that no war in Europe erupted in 1848, but this does not mean that war had not loomed large over the governments of the Low Countries and Europe in general. A manifesto by the French Foreign minister of the Provisional Government Lamartine was sent to all the other courts of Europe one week after the initial Revolution in Paris. It had the intent of unlinking war and revolution (in France), because they were so intrinsically linked in the mind of the 19th century governments. The main objective of the manifesto was legitimising the rule of the Provisional Government and to make sure the reactionary powers would not see the new French Republic as an existential threat. The traumas of the French Revolutionary Wars were specifically addressed. If we consider Lamartine’s manifesto and the Belgian ambassador’s words, this parallel of revolution in France and war was very much on the minds of the contemporary players of the international game of diplomacy.Show less
Until 2014, Ukraine Distinguished itself from fellow former Soviet republics through its competitive political arena and lack of domestic armed conflict. That changed in 2014 with the Euromaidan...Show moreUntil 2014, Ukraine Distinguished itself from fellow former Soviet republics through its competitive political arena and lack of domestic armed conflict. That changed in 2014 with the Euromaidan protests in February, followed by the Russian annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in March. These protests turned violent, triggering a government sanctioned counterterrorism operation in response. Peace negotiations coordinated by the OSCE resulted in the signing of the Mink Protocol establishing an immediate cease-fire monitored by the OSCE. Despite these international efforts, the fighting in Donbas sustained and Donbas turned into a semi-frozen conflict facing sporadic military skirmishes. Within the analysis of new civil wars, further specification can be made to distinguish protracted social conflicts (PSCs), or those in which groups are deprived of basic needs on the basis of communal identity as a result of a complex causal chain involving the role of the state and international linkages. PSCs are of particular interest in the case of Ukraine as it experienced unparalleled demographic reversals throughout the 20th century. This research postures the following question: to what extent is the post-Euromaidan prevalence of separatist paramilitary activity in Donbas a manifestation of a protracted social conflict? Using an adaptation of Azar’s genesis model as a framework in order to attempt to partially answer the aforementioned question, it is concluded that the separatist paramilitary activity in Donbas is likely a manifestation of a protracted social conflict based on human need deprivation.Show less
This thesis investigates the the importance of multiple technological advances in the American Civil War, and applies them to the contemporary revolution in military affairs in order to disprove...Show moreThis thesis investigates the the importance of multiple technological advances in the American Civil War, and applies them to the contemporary revolution in military affairs in order to disprove Biddle who discredits the importance of the revolution in military affairs.Show less
This thesis explores John Milton's complex and seemingly ambivalent stance on warfare through The Tenure, Eikonoklastes, The Second Defense, Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes....Show moreThis thesis explores John Milton's complex and seemingly ambivalent stance on warfare through The Tenure, Eikonoklastes, The Second Defense, Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes. It argues that Milton's definition of war is complex. Milton understands two distinct forms of warfare: righteous and unrighteous warfare. In line with these distinct forms, Milton also holds two distinct opinions. To a modern reader this may appear paradoxical, but within Milton's own perception, this idea is consistent.Show less
The thesis has investigated the use of child soldiers by the actors involved in the decades-long conflict of Somalia. The thesis has reviewed the main academic debates on child soldiering and...Show moreThe thesis has investigated the use of child soldiers by the actors involved in the decades-long conflict of Somalia. The thesis has reviewed the main academic debates on child soldiering and described the theoretical foundations to better comprehend the answer to the research question posed. In the analysis, the different rationales for each side to the conflict to explain their use and recruitment of child soldiers were examined. Finally, the thesis argued that among the several factors that seem to be valid in explaining the phenomenon of child soldiering in Somalia, only two are found to be true for both the extremist organization al-Shabaab and the government, with their allied forces. First, children may voluntarily join the army because they lack alternatives outside of the armed groups. In fact, they cannot receive a proper education and they suffer extreme poverty, water scarcity, malnutrition and devastation. Second, Somali children were born in a constant climate of violence and insecurity that has ‘normalized’ the concept of fighting, leading them to take up arms in a desperate attempt to put an end to a war they do not understand, but that has been lacerating their country for too long.Show less
This thesis aims to analyse how the commemoration of the battle of Berlin (1945) changed in the post-war Soviet Union and later, the Russian Federation. This analysis is made by examining specific...Show moreThis thesis aims to analyse how the commemoration of the battle of Berlin (1945) changed in the post-war Soviet Union and later, the Russian Federation. This analysis is made by examining specific monuments and other sites of commemoration, such as museums and parks. This thesis adds to pre-existing research into memory culture in the Soviet Union and the early years of the Russian Federation.Show less
There exists a confusing and conflicting narrative at the core of the Irish Civil War's historiography. On one hand it has been portrayed as a bitter and savage conflict, while on the other, one in...Show moreThere exists a confusing and conflicting narrative at the core of the Irish Civil War's historiography. On one hand it has been portrayed as a bitter and savage conflict, while on the other, one in which the fighting was exaggerated and overstated. This paper uses a study of the Irish Civil War in the geographical unit of County Kerry to argue that this confusing dichotomy has existed because of the absence of any systematic analysis of that most elemental factor in any armed conflict, the actual violence. Using a micro-level analysis of the violent deaths of National Army soldiers and IRA men in Kerry during the conflict this paper argues that the IRA prosecuted the war using controversial and contentious tactics while a culture of indiscipline in the National Army saw it engage in reprisals and extra-judicial killings as its main means of asserting control.Show less
This thesis identifies the political possibilities to establish a war crimes court in contemporary Liberian society and the role of civil society in this process.
In dit onderzoek is de rol van muziek in de Joegoslavische Burgeroorlog onderzocht. Dit is onderzocht aan de hand van een tekstuele analyse van verschillende Kroatische en Servische liederen die...Show moreIn dit onderzoek is de rol van muziek in de Joegoslavische Burgeroorlog onderzocht. Dit is onderzocht aan de hand van een tekstuele analyse van verschillende Kroatische en Servische liederen die tijdens de oorlog zijn uitgebracht. Ook zijn de visuele aspecten van de liederen, zoals de videoclip, in dit onderzoek meegenomen. In dit onderzoek licht de nadruk vooral op de natievormende rol van deze muziek.Show less
The thesis presents how victimization and revisionism is used in Japan to address the historical memories of the Second World War, by showcasing elements of both in the anime titled Zipang.
Due to its important economic growth China has become, over the 21st century, an important actor on the international stage. Today, China is said to be undermining the American hegemon which has...Show moreDue to its important economic growth China has become, over the 21st century, an important actor on the international stage. Today, China is said to be undermining the American hegemon which has been leading the international system since the end of the Cold War. The Thucydides’s Trap analogy of Graham Allison predicts that a war between both powers is “more likely than not” (Allison 2017b). This thesis explores the existence of this trap and the implications for the relationship between the United States and China. For this purpose, this thesis performs a qualitative analysis through the in-depth review of Allison’s analogy and takes a deductive approach by testing it on post-World War II circumstances. The conclusions of this inquiry are then applied to the power shift between the United States and China. The analysis discloses that there is no such thing as a trap as argued by Allison. Moreover, the findings reveal that Allison overlooks the developments of the current world order which make the Thucydides’s Trap inapplicable to the power shift between the United States and China. Subsequently, Allison’s methodological tool is deemed to be analytically weak and the form of determinism arising from his analogy is conjectural.Show less
Through a comprehensive analysis of the news coverage on the Syrian war by The Guardian, The Washington Post and The New York Times, the role of the media is assessed. The textual analysis was...Show moreThrough a comprehensive analysis of the news coverage on the Syrian war by The Guardian, The Washington Post and The New York Times, the role of the media is assessed. The textual analysis was carried out on almost 5000 articles from the three outlets. It thus explores the possibility of technical tools to analyse the coverage and discourse of the media.Show less
In this thesis, I will explore, on an intellectual and sensory level, the ways in which the night time was perceived and utilised in the context of ancient Greek warfare. By ascertaining what...Show moreIn this thesis, I will explore, on an intellectual and sensory level, the ways in which the night time was perceived and utilised in the context of ancient Greek warfare. By ascertaining what activities took place during the night time of the 4th century BC, in a military context, it will become possible to understand more about how the experience of the night was used and presented in antiquity. I will argue that far from being desolate and empty of human presence, the ancient night was a significant time for military activity and that it was in fact used in a variety of interesting ways that are not served by the rather simplistic image of nocturnal ‘colonisation’ presented in Histories of the Early Modern period.Show less
