Conflict-ridden Region Research Articles

Վրաստանի աշխարհաքաղաքական տեղաշարժը. ներքին և արտաքին գործոններ / Georgia's Geopolitical Shift: Internal and External Factors

In the post-Soviet space, the South Caucasus has always stood out as the most conflict-ridden region. Three powerful neighbors of the region - Russia, Turkey and Iran - constantly monitor developments here, seeking to increase the dose of influence. As a result of the change of power, in 2012, the Georgian Dream party came to power in Georgia, and anti-Russian sentiments in the country began to decline. Despite all the pressure, the Georgian authorities did not join the sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union against Russia. The «Georgian Dream» party put forward a legislative initiative on foreign agents in 2023, after which it faced mass protests. As a result, the bill was withdrawn, but already in the next year, 2024, the majority of members of parliament again introduced the bill and on May 28th it was adopted. In Georgia, in 2023-2024, domestic political processes are taking place around this law, including the issue of changing the foreign policy vector.

Analisis Kebijakan Luar Negeri Amerika Serikat Pada Demokratisasi Irak Melalui Program USAID 2021

Analisis Kebijakan Luar Negeri Amerika Serikat Pada Demokratisasi Irak Melalui Program USAID 2021

Analyzing the What and How of United States Foreign Aid to Israel 2017-2020

The United States and Israel are two of the countries with the most unique relationship. The relationship between the two countries can be traced back to the very beginning of Israel's statehood. For most of modern history, a lot of conflicts involving Israel have erupted in the Middle East, some of which have endangered Israel's very existence. The unique relationship between the two countries has led the United States to view Israel as its main ally in the Middle East. Therefore, it is important for the United States to help Israel ensure its survival in this conflict-ridden region. One U.S. effort involves its foreign aid to Israel. Through this study, the authors attempt to explain the form and process of U.S. foreign aid to Israel in 2017-2020. This paper uses a qualitative method, with the data collected using document and internet-based methods. The primary data that are being used here are documents and reports on US foreign aid to Israel from 2017 to 2020 published directly by the US government. The findings show that the United States provided Israel with substantial military and non-military foreign aid in the period 2017-2020, and that the process of providing this aid is also progressing well.

Origins, Relevance and Prospects of Federalism and Decentralization in the Horn of Africa

AbstractThe Horn of Africa is the most conflict-ridden region in the African continent. Both inter-and intra-state conflicts have dominated the region. In a bid to check intra-state conflicts and accommodate ethno-national and religious diversity, federal or federal like models of governance have been proposed, discussed, and, in some cases, adopted across the region. Focusing on Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, this article discusses the origin, reasons, and prospects of the federal idea in the Horn. The article argues that the major rationale for the federal idea in the Horn is the containment of communal tensions. Yet, the track record of federalism in alleviating communal tensions has not been encouraging. This is partly related to design issues that have undermined the efforts to use federalism to address communal tensions. More importantly, however, the commitment to genuinely implement the federal idea has largely been absent.

Ближний Восток во внешней политике США после Трампа и интересы России

The article explores the emerging contours of the new American policy in the Middle East against the background of unprecedented and confusing domestic political affairs resulting from a highly questioned electoral outcome as well as D. Trump`s complicated “fait accompli” legacy in the Middle East. The first political initiatives of Joe Biden demonstrate that unlike previous transition periods of incorporating Middle East into a revised global American strategy the current moment is fraught with difficulties. The authors examine the key regional priorities and the nature of “recalibration” process to a number of crucial issues in the region. Among them are as follows: the renewal of the Iranian deal, lessening tension in the Gulf, tackling Palestinian problem in the light of D. Trump`s withdrawal from the internationally accepted a “two-state-solution” approach, political settlement in Libya and Syria. The authors draw a conclusion that even though rethinking Middle East role within the US global foreign policy strategy has already started, the process is slow and cautious since the Congressional mood as well as the partisan reaction should be taken into consideration. Chinese containment strategy and counteracting “Russian threat” are the aims topping the political agenda which means a disengagement from a conflict-ridden region, military redeployment and a policy of de-escalation. However, the agenda does not mean a full withdrawal from the region which will remain under the US focus even though it no longer tops the list. In other words, the task is to balance traditional democratic values with American national interest in the region, a balance which has always been hard to strike. Joe Biden`s new Middle Eastern team of professional and experienced policy-makers who as well share deep knowledge of this region aims at shaping a more balanced and a more predictable policy in coordination with its European allies and regional partners. Additionally, the US “recalibration” of the Middle East may open a window of opportunities in bilateral US-Russian ties. Despite conventional “zero-sum-game” thinking the new Biden administration will not be able to ignore the fact that Russian comprehensive involvement in tackling a number of pressing regional issues is absolutely essential in contemporary Middle East politics.

(2021) Volume 2, Issue 4 Cultural Implications of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC Authors: Dr. Unsa Jamshed Amar Jahangir Anbrin Khawaja Abstract: This study is an attempt to highlight the cultural implication of CPEC on Pak-China relations, how it will align two nations culturally, and what steps were taken by the governments of two states to bring the people closer.

(2021) Volume 2, Issue 4 Cultural Implications of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC Authors: Dr. Unsa Jamshed Amar Jahangir Anbrin Khawaja Abstract: This study is an attempt to highlight the cultural implication of CPEC on Pak-China relations, how it will align two nations culturally, and what steps were taken by the governments of two states to bring the people closer.

Indus Water Treaty: Past Present and Future

Natural resources are fundamental and imperative for the existence and evolution of human civilizations. Water being most important scarce natural resource has become a contentious political issue in the world. South Asia being a less connected and conflict ridden region, Water related conflicts have been a dominant area of concern. At the time of independence, the boundary line between the two newly created independent countries, i.e. Pakistan and India was drawn right across the Indus Basin, leaving Pakistan as the lower riparian. Dispute thus arose between the two countries regarding the utilization of irrigation waters from existing facilities. The negotiations held under the World Bank, culminated in the signing of Indus Waters Treaty in 1960. The paper will examine the historical background of the treaty; the contentious developments which have arose over the years and will also discuss the Kashmir perspective on the treaty. The paper will also evaluate the present disagreeing arguments of both states over the treaty.

PROVIDING OPTIMAL REGIONAL CARE FOR LIFE THREATENING CARDIAC RHYTHM DISORDERS BY USING SMART PHONES: A STUDY UTILISING SOCIAL MEDIA AS A TOOL TO INTEGRATE LOCAL HEALTH NETWORK IN REMOTE AREA OF NORTHERN PART OF INDIA

Jammu & Kashmir, a northernmost state of India is a resource limited, conflict ridden region having poor accessibility of remote areas to health care. Utilizing smart phones as a medium for providing access to the optimum cardiac care in the remotest of the areas of our region served as a platform

Decentralized decision making and educational outcomes in public schools

PurposeDevolution of fiscal and administrative autonomy to public schools is a global phenomenon now. Various models of school autonomy have been adopted both in developing and developed countries. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of devolution of fiscal autonomy to public primary schools through Parent–Teacher Councils (PTCs) on retention of primary school children in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachTwo sources of data were used to analyze the research question: Education Management Information System for the years 2006–2011 and 2007–2012, and a specially designed survey questionnaire used to compile information about PTCs from 222 public primary schools in the KP Province. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine whether PTC reforms are related to retention rates. An education production function approach was used to examine the effect of “inputs” (PTC reform) on “outputs” (retention).FindingsThe regression results indicate that reforms in procedural mechanisms to spend PTC budget and schools with separate classrooms for each grade level are significant in improving retention to the last grade of primary. The results also indicate that retention in all-girls’ schools tend to be significantly lower compared to all-boys’ schools.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, the integration of data sets resulted in a small sample size, 361 schools, out of which the researcher could visit only 222 schools (10 schools per district) due to time and financial constraints. There may be a probability that with a larger sample size the author findings may look slightly different. However, this is the only current data set collected by the researcher in KP, Pakistan. Second, an ideal way of calculating retention is to track each and every child enrolled in a school over a period of five years and to calculate retention at the end of Grade 5 called true cohort model. However, due to unavailability of such kind of data, a more commonly used method, called reconstructed cohort method, is employed. In this method, data on enrollment by grade are used for six consecutive years, with an assumption that the student flow rates will remain unchanged over time and across grades.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study provide vital policy input to the Government of Pakistan in particular and other developing countries in general. The study reveals that PTCs have critical impacts on educational outcomes, school productivity and return on public sector educational investment thus providing an impetus for further strengthening of PTC and community participation. Besides, this study offers significant implications as to how school-based management programs will lead to outcomes under resource scarcity in developing countries.Social implicationsThe paper has implications for the role of school leadership and community participation and for how to engender community involvement in marginalized areas where communities often do not have the time, resources or confidence to participate in their schools. Besides, community participation in parent–teacher meetings means that the school budget is spent transparently and with consensus. Hence, the chances of misuse of funds are minimized to a considerable extent, a dilemma faced by many developing countries. Finally, the collection of PTC-related data regularly especially details about budget allocated, spent and, the unutilized budget may result in better record keeping, which was found lacking during the visit.Originality/valueThe uniqueness and originality of this paper can be gauged from the fact that no systematic study exists with regards to the impact of school autonomy on students’ retention to the last grade of primary in KP province – a poor and conflict-ridden region in a low-income country (Pakistan). Also, the data collection from primary and secondary sources was not an easy task. However, the researcher as a civil servant has to use personal contacts to collect primary and secondary data. Hence, this study is unique and first of its kind in nature. No such research has been conducted so far by any researcher, especially in KP.

Between security and prosperity: Turkey and the prospect of energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean

ABSTRACTCan natural resources facilitate regional cooperation? Recent discoveries of natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean have led many to ask whether natural resources can bring peace and prosperity to the region. This article draws upon the contrast between liberal and realist perspectives on interdependence to explicate the extent to which shared economic interests can facilitate political cooperation in a conflict-ridden region. The analysis of Turkey’s Eastern Mediterranean strategy corroborates the proposition that when states prioritize security over prosperity, they will likely continue to escalate political tensions even if this jeopardizes economic gains from cooperation.

Everyday narratives, personalized memories and the remaking of national boundaries

In this article I explore some of the interrelations of individual reflexivity, personalized memory and national boundaries through an empirical and inductive analysis of the ways ordinary citizens remember their personal national past. I show how these personalized narratives stretch the conventional boundaries of nation and group. Of a sample of over 220 ordinary citizens in each part of Ireland, over half, and two-thirds in the still conflict-ridden region of Northern Ireland, narrated memories that could not be brought under conventional oppositional categories, and that produced in the respondents further reflection and rethinking. What is significant is how many of them did so. Since identities and traditions are said to be persistent and long-lasting in each part of Ireland, and in particular in Northern Ireland, the findings are unexpected. The article concludes that there is everyday potential for quite radical revision of conventional constructions of the nation.

Source market perceptions: How risky is Jordan to travel to?

Abstract The tourism industry is one of the most important economic sectors in Jordan. However, Jordan's geographic location in a conflict-ridden region has resulted in tourists’ misperceptions, especially given recent violent uprisings in neighboring countries and negative media portrayals of the region. The purpose of this study was to examine the US source market's perceptions of Jordan as a destination and to identify the factors that may influence their visiting intentions. Guided by the Risk Perception Attitude (RPA) framework, this study classified participants into clusters based on levels of perceived risk and efficacy beliefs. Four clusters were generated and compared based on individual characteristics, perceived safety, and visiting intentions. A series of mediation analyses were also conducted. Overall, the findings support the utility of the RPA framework in the context of tourism. Furthermore, the findings indicate that perceived safety mediates the relationship between respondents’ risk-perception attitudes and their visiting intentions.

Prenatal Maternal Stress Predicts Methylation of Genes Regulating the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical System in Mothers and Newborns in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Exposure to stress early in life permanently shapes activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and the brain. Prenatally, glucocorticoids pass through the placenta to the fetus with postnatal impacts on brain development, birth weight (BW), and HPA axis functioning. Little is known about the biological mechanisms by which prenatal stress affects postnatal functioning. This study addresses this gap by examining the effect of chronic stress and traumatic war-related stress on epigenetic changes in four key genes regulating the HPA axis in neonatal cord blood, placenta, and maternal blood: CRH, CRHBP, NR3C1, and FKBP5. Participants were 24 mother-newborn dyads in the conflict-ridden region of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. BW data were collected at delivery and maternal interviews were conducted to assess culturally relevant chronic and war-related stressors. Chronic stress and war trauma had widespread effects on HPA axis gene methylation, with significant effects observed at transcription factor binding (TFB) sites in all target genes tested. Some changes in methylation were unique to chronic or war stress, whereas others were observed across both stressor types. Moreover, stress exposures impacted maternal and fetal tissues differently, supporting theoretical models that stress impacts vary according to life phase. Methylation in several NR3C1 and CRH CpG sites, all located at TFB sites, was associated with BW. These findings suggest that prenatal stress exposure impacts development via epigenetic changes in HPA axis genes.

Interrogating Banality: The Role of Media in the Peace Process of Nagaland

Media plays a vital role in conflict situation. North East in general and Nagaland in particular feel a sense of alienation when it comes for news reporting. Several peace talks have always attracted the attention in the academic discourse but remain untouched in the media discourse. Being considered as the fourth pillar of democracy, media has an active role in peace building process. Nonetheless while implementing the role of media in the North East setting, particularly in Nagaland, a sense of banality is found in reporting. The regional media in Nagaland is at its infancy. The press primarily has been and remains to be the most popular means of communication. Being a conflict ridden region since independence, Nagaland needs more focus and effort on peace journalism. Media as known can work both ways that is to ignite violence, conflict and to settle peace and normalcy. The present study aims to explore with a theoretical perspective that what lead to banality and how does it provokes in conflict and also tries to way out some alternatives for the role of media in the peace process of Nagaland.

Al Jazeera’s Palestine Papers: Middle East media politics in the post-WikiLeaks era

Shortly after WikiLeaks published thousands of confidential US diplomatic cables, Al Jazeera released hundreds of classified documents pertaining to the Palestinian–Israeli negotiations. Known as the ‘Palestine Papers’, these documents are noteworthy not only because they provide insights into the stalled negotiations and rekindle the debate over the Middle East conflict, but also because they offer a glimpse into the complex interpenetration between media, geo-politics, and state interests in a conflict-ridden region in the post-WikiLeaks era.

TNI/Polri in West Papua: How Security Reforms Work in the Conflict Region

This essay examines the military and security reforms in West Papua, a conflict-ridden region in Indonesia. It finds that Indonesian security forces, especially the army and police, have built up their troops and territorial structures rapidly in the last ten years. It also finds that the police have taken a broader role in maintaining security. However, a closer look at the security operations reveals that the army is still the most powerful and influential force at work in the region, and that it operates exactly in the same manner it operated in East Timor and Aceh. The essay concurs with some studies that indicate reform within the Indonesian military has stalled. More importantly, the argument shows that the behavior of the army's officers has not changed despite claims that the TNI has reformed in response to complaints regarding the violence perpetrated in East Timor and Aceh.

TB/HIV Co-Infection Care in Conflict-Affected Settings: A Mapping of Health Facilities in the Goma Area, Democratic Republic of Congo

HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) are major contributors to the burden of disease in sub-Saharan Africa. The two diseases have been described as a harmful synergy as they are biologically and epidemiologically linked. Control of TB/HIV co-infection is an integral and most challenging part of both national TB and national HIV control programmes, especially in contexts of instability where health systems are suffering from political and social strife. This study aimed at assessing the provision of HIV/TB co-infection services in health facilities in the conflict-ridden region of Goma in Democratic Republic of Congo. A cross-sectional survey of health facilities that provide either HIV or TB services or both was carried out. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data which was analysed using descriptive statistics. Eighty facilities were identified, of which 64 facilities were publicly owned. TB care was more available than HIV care (in 61% vs. 9% of facilities). Twenty-three facilities (29%) offered services to co-infected patients. TB/HIV co-infection rates among patients were unknown in 82% of the facilities. Only 19 facilities (24%) reported some coordination with and support from concerned diseases' control programmes. HIV and TB services are largely fragmented, indicating imbalances and poor coordination by disease control programmes. HIV and TB control appear not to be the focus of health interventions in this crisis affected region, despite the high risks of TB and HIV infection in the setting. Comprehensive public health response to this setting calls for reforms that promote joint TB/HIV co-infection control, including improved leadership by the HIV programmes that accuse weaknesses in this conflict-ridden region.

United Nations peace process as a peacemaking and human rights exercise. Lessons from conflict resolution in Sierra Leone

The United Nations peace process in Sierra Leone is one of the most successful initiatives in conflict resolution in the history of the UN. The peace building process has led to sustainable peace in a country located in a highly conflict ridden region in the world. This paper analyzes the peacemaking process to understand the process and its underlying unique features. Placing the events in the context of peacemaking criminology and human rights, it is argued that the UN peacemaking greatly reflects the values advocated by peacemaking criminology, while the goals of the process reflect universal human rights, recognized and promoted by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

The Great Powers and Regional Conflicts: Eastern Europe and the Balkans from the Post-Napoleonic Era to the Post-Cold War Era

The objective of this article is to provide an analytical framework for addressing the sources of great power regional involvement and its effects on regional conflicts. The thesis of the article is that variations in the degree of intensity of conflicts and the likelihood of successful conflict resolution in different regions are affected by the character of great power involvement in these regions. Our argument is that although great power involvement or noninvolvement cannot cause or terminate regional conflicts, it can either intensify existing local conflicts or mitigate them. We will propose causal linkages between balances of great power capabilities and interests, types of great power involvement in regional conflicts, and patterns of regional conflicts. The study will distinguish among four types of great power involvement in regional conflicts: competition, cooperation, dominance, and disengagement. The empirical section will examine the application of these propositions in seven historical illustrations, representing the four patterns of great power involvement in regional conflicts. All the illustrations will deal with one conflict-ridden region—Eastern Europe and the Balkans, in successive historical periods from the post-Napoleonic era to the post-Cold War era. Because of the variety of patterns of great power involvement in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, this region is uniquely suited to examine the propositions derived from the theoretical framework. Drawing on both the theoretical deductions and the historical illustrations should make it possible in the last section to discuss briefly the implications of the proposed framework for regional conflict management or mitigation in the Balkans in the post-Cold War era.