Monetary Sovereignty under the Gold Standard – The Case of the Ottoman Empire
Increasing indebtedness and severe crises caused the Ottoman Empire to lose monetary sovereignty, culminating with the adoption of a limping gold standard.
The Three Images of the Syrian Civil War
Employing Waltz’s three images in ‘Man the State and War’ as a methodological framework helps guide analysis of the Syrian civil war, but fails to provide direct answers.
Revisiting Political Culture: Libyan and Tunisian Post-Revolutionary Transitions
Analysing Libya & Tunisia reveals the important role of political culture in their democratic transitions & the pitfalls of applying ‘universal’ democratic institutions.
Is Rentier State Theory Sufficient to Explain the Politics of the UAE?
Because Rentier State Theory insufficiently explains the politics of the UAE, a marrying of Constructivism and RST are needed to best capture the politics of the UAE.
Hasan al-Banna and the Political Ideologisation of Islam in the 20th Century
Hasan al-Banna, founder of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, has played a significant role in the political ideologisation of Islam in the twentieth century.
A “Major Terrorist Event” Case Study: Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012
The Benghazi attacks ultimately assisted in the ongoing destabilisation of post-Gaddafi Libya, and advanced multiple extremist Islamist causes.
Evolving Norms: How the Libyan & Syrian Conflicts Have Affected the R2P
Though the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) norm suffered a setback in the wake of the Syria crisis, the 2011 Libyan intervention offers hope & guidance for its evolution.
Why is the Discourse of ‘Islamic Terrorism’ Problematic?
The prescribed causal relationship between religion and violence is not only contestable but also alarmingly reductionist.
Hassan al-Banna: A Starting Point for Contemporary Islamic Fundamentalism
Al-Banna’s ideas of Islam’s superiority, of his conception of Islam to others, and the monopoly of the absolute truth are the first steps to judge Others as unbelievers.
Hamas and the Women’s Movement: Islamism and Feminism Under Occupation
Hamas’ takeover of Gaza marked a shift in the complex process of preparation for national sovereignty, especially for the Palestinian women’s movement.
