Democratic Peacebuilding in Iraq
The chances of Iraq sustaining its fragile democracy are grim. However, manipulating religious and ethnic groups into favourable behaviour, may lead to peace.
The Enigma of Iranian-Israeli Relations
The recent intensification of enmity between Iran and Israel has been the focus of political analysts, pundits, practitioners, and critics alike.
The Abatement of Insurgency in Iraq and the Re-emergence of Insurgency in Afghanistan
Although Western publics are not casualty-phobic and presently pay little attention to body counts as the ultimate barometer for success, they are wary of supporting wars with low prospects for ultimate triumph, and casualty rates and patterns can help formulate more nuanced policy opinions.
Comparing India and Pakistan’s Nuclear Proliferation Policies During the Cold War
India and Pakistan’s transformational process of emerging as opaque nuclear powers was an example of different the different motivations, aspirations and ambitions for obtaining nuclear status during the Cold War era.
How did British colonial experiences shape the attitude towards the invasion of Iraq after 9/11?
Since the occupation of Iraq, there have been significant improvements in the counterinsurgency strategy used primarily by the Americans. These have incorporated lessons learnt in British colonial experiences, such as the minimisation of the use of force.
The Israel Lobby and the U.S. National Interest
Mearsheimer and Walt’s illustration of the Israel lobby has led to a wide debate on the the domestic influences on foreign policy. Their thesis exaggerates the ability of interest groups to divert foreign policy, and their notion of national interest can be criticised as not in line with those who make foreign policy.
British Diplomacy and Iranian Angst: British Iranian Relations, 1973 -1979
The Iranian pre-disposition to distrust the British has been referred to widely in both primary and secondary sources, yet has not been rigorously analysed in either its manifestations of effects. This essay will examine the effect of this cultural trait on the last six years of the reign of Mohammed Reza Shah, and on the conduct of British foreign policy during that period.
The causal relationship between culture and foreign policy making in Muslim countries
Pragmatism rules the roost in Muslim states, yet the role of Islam must not be underestimated. The faith inspires, promotes and legitimises the actions of Muslim states and whilst it has little causal role in foreign policy, it nonetheless has an integral part in advancing it.
Turkey’s EU Membership and EU-Middle Eastern Affairs
As relations between the West and the Islamic world have significantly deteriorated in recent years and the situation in the Middle East appears more and more threatening to the EU, Turkey’s potential role as a soft power for the EU becomes increasingly clear as a bridge between East and West.
Turkey’s Foreign Policy in the AKP Era: Has There Really Been a Change?
The AKP government created a new synergy in Turkish foreign policy by using the “change” discourse, however, the main problems with Turkish foreign policy have not yet been solved, and disappointments related to the new strategy have increased through time. Therefore, time will show whether the AKP will be successful or not.
