Is Today’s Far Right in Western Europe a Threat to Democracy?
The ascension of the far-right has, indeed, given the neo-liberal western democracies of Europe a stark wake-up call, with radical street movements becoming steadily more popular.
Framing the War in Croatia: Propaganda, Ideology and the British Press
The wars in the former Yugoslavia have come to symbolise the brutality and irrationality of ethnic conflicts. This perception has been shaped by the manner in which events in the region have been interpreted, itself influenced by the propaganda efforts of the warring parties and the ideology, or context, of the person interpreting. This study addresses the issue of representation of the war in Croatia by examining attitudes towards the conflict in the British press. This is done through an analysis of ‘frames’ – the central narratives or storylines which organise texts.
The Impact of the Rise of Islamic Extremism on Civil-Military Relations in Indonesia
The Indonesian National Armed Forces has exploited the rise of Islamic extremism to intrude in civilian affairs and enhance its own material interests.
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.
Why Was India Partitioned at Independence?
India was partitioned at Independence on 15th August 1947 into two distinct nations: a newly-established and principally Muslim state of Pakistan, and a Hindu dominated India. The fact that such a division occurred on religious lines means that partition was the logical and inevitable outcome of the irreconcilable opposition between Hindus and Muslims.
How Appealing are CBRN Weapons to Terrorist Groups?
Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism is often portrayed as one of the greatest threats facing the world. But to the rational terrorist, acting with concern to the strategic considerations of external support, possible retaliation and mass-casualty outcomes, CBRN weapons are of limited appeal.
State-Sponsored Terrorism: The U.S.’s Response to the Nicaraguan Revolution
The response of the U.S. to the Nicaraguan Revolution was a clear example of state-sponsored terrorism, as evidenced by the judgement of the International Court of Justice.
The on-going conflict in Somalia: A short report
The Civil War in Somalia has gripped the country for 20 years, causing widespread displacement of citizens, and has turned Somalia into a training ground for Islamic terrorists in Africa. Since 2006 the civil war has taken a much larger religious dimension.
Is the Sudan conflict best understood in terms of race, religion, or regionalism?
Both the enormous diversity within Sudan in combination with the lack of a substantial “Sudanese” identity accounts for the prevalence of conflict. This absence of a widely accepted and omnipresent state identity also explains how identity is formed in relation to hegemony.
Defining Terrorism
Attempts to form a universal and comprehensive definition of terrorism have not yet succeeded, but this lack of consensus need not impede attempts to counter terrorism itself.
