Conflict In Countries Research Articles

Government Collaboration in Enhancing National Defense

Security dynamics in the Southeast Asian region have increased, influenced by many factors, ranging from internal member states, regional situations, to security dynamics in the Asia Pacific region and beyond. This article will review the security conditions of the ASEAN region through a government collaboration literature study approach. As a result, the implementation of joint military exercises of ASEAN countries plays an important role in creating regional security. There are at least several benefits obtained: First, joint military exercises can improve state defense capabilities and regional security. Second, through joint exercises, the forces of ASEAN countries will be better prepared and able to respond to any threats that disrupt regional security and sovereignty. Third, joint military exercises provide a space for productive discussions and consultations to discuss the security situation of member states and the Southeast Asian region, resulting in a common formula in maintaining regional security. Fourth, joint military exercises can serve as a mediation platform for ASEAN countries in conflict with other ASEAN countries to find a constructive middle ground for regional security stability

The validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the EQ-5D in atrial fibrillation patients in a conflict country: a study from Syria

BackgroundThe EQ-5D is one of the most commonly used tools to establish health-related quality of life (QoL). EQ-5D data in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in the Middle East are lacking.ObjectivesThis study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the EQ-5D in AF inpatients in Syria.MethodsThe study involved patients admitted to the emergency department of Tishreen’s University Hospital in Latakia with AF as the primary diagnosis between the 1st of June 2021 and the 1st of June 2023. Arabic versions of the EQ-5D, EQ-VAS and SF36 questionnaires were administered to patients. Validation was done using convergent, discriminant, and known-groups validity, while reliability was conducted using EQ-5D retesting within 2–4 weeks.Results432 participants were included in the study with a mean ± standard deviation of 63 ± 15. Males represented 242 (56%) of the participants. All hypotheses relating EQ-5D responses to external variables were satisfied. All three validation hypotheses demonstrated that the EQ-5D had the convergent, discriminant and known group validity to assess QoL in this cohort. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability ranged between 0.74 and 0.88, while Cohen’s κ ranged between 0.72 and 0.86. Cronbach’s α value for internal consistency was 0.73.ConclusionThe Arabic version of EQ-5D was valid and reliable in measuring QoL in AF inpatients in Syria. This validation opens the door for more widespread use of the EQ-5D in Arabic-speaking regions, facilitating better-informed healthcare decisions and improving patient care strategies in Syria and other Middle Eastern countries.

Legal Aspects of Press Protection in Countries in Conflict According to International Law

Protection of press freedom in countries experiencing armed conflict is a critical issue to ensure transparent and accurate access to information during a crisis. Although international legal instruments exist, such as the Geneva Conventions and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, their implementation often faces challenges, including physical violence against journalists, restrictions on access to information, and intimidation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of international legal protections and identifies key challenges faced by journalists in the field. In addition, the study makes recommendations for strengthening international law enforcement, support for international organizations, national legal reform, and journalist training. These efforts are expected to improve the protection of press freedom and ensure that critical information remains accessible during times of conflict

Addressing neurosurgical challenges in war conflict countries.

The Russo-Ukrainian war caused significant humanitarian and healthcare issues in the Russo-Ukrainian region, which were further aggravated by the escalation of the conflict on February 2022. Because of this ongoing confrontation between the two nations, which has its roots in geopolitical conflicts and historical events, there have been nearly 4million refugees in only the first month, and 906 healthcare institutions have sustained significant damage. Consequently, the demand for medical services has increased, adding onto the burden of the pre-existing problems within the region's healthcare system, such as inequities, budget shortages, and corruption. With nearly 500,000 military deaths and an estimated 27,1499 civilian casualties, the war's immediate health effects are devastating. Due to inadequate disease surveillance and difficulties with immunization, the risk of infectious illnesses, particularly HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, increased. Although there were originally few mental health problems, the long-term effects are yet unknown. Some of the indirect effects are the severe refugee situation, the burden on public infrastructure, and problems with the security of food and water. Unprecedented obstacles confronted neurosurgery in the Russo-Ukrainian region, including increased patient loads from war-related cases, resource limitations, and facility devastation. Many countries stepped up to aid in managing neurosurgeries however, the some of the problems still persisted, such as insufficient sterility and power outages. Strengthened security standards, financial incentives, telemedicine services, and cooperation with international medical organizations are the main points of recovery recommendations. Rebuilding the region's healthcare system and guaranteeing ongoing foreign support after the conflict require a comprehensive strategy that addresses both short- and long-term issues.

Democratic Ties That Bind? US–China Conflict and Foreign Policy Opinion in Japan and Korea

AbstractWhile the Biden administration has framed US–China relations as part of a broader contest between democracy and autocracy, the potential international repercussions of this stance remain unclear. How will other democracies and, in particular, the citizens of key democratic US allies respond to a world characterized by increasing rivalry between dictatorships and democracies? We seek to answer this question through survey experiments in Japan and South Korea. We randomly assign information to respondents, highlighting the differences in democracy and human rights practices in the US–China relationship. Despite prior research and recent US policy documents suggesting that increasing tension over democracy and human rights in US–China relations will lead to democratic US allies moving even closer to the United States, our findings diverge from this expectation. When provided with information about this tension, the level of support for more cooperation with Washington decreases in both Japan and Korea. Our findings point to the need to revisit an assumption in much of the academic literature: Given a choice between cooperation with authoritarian and democratic countries in conflict, democracies—and their publics—will gravitate toward the latter.

Distinguishing between the “soldier” and the “brute”: engraving hierarchies of masculinity in conflict-related sexual violence discourse

ABSTRACT On the one hand, feminists critique the securitization of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) on various grounds, but, on the other hand, also raise concerns that the Western hyper-fixation on CRSV reproduces colonial narratives about race, gender, and sexuality. However, the productive effects of specifically Western state discourse about CRSV have yet to be fully examined in this context. How do Western states make use of the colonial gaze in constructing CRSV as an issue of grave concern, and to what ends? Further, what are the implications of this for the nexus of feminist critique and praxis? This article utilizes a macro-structural approach to discourse analysis to analyze the 2014 Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, led by the United Kingdom. It argues that Western delegates securitized CRSV by relying on tropes of racialized men as maintaining backwards practices of gender and sexuality, and the construction of CRSV as a “pre-modern” weapon of war. This frame reproduces a racialized hierarchy of masculinity that constructs men from “conflict countries” as potential perpetrators in need of intervention, and men from “safe countries” as role models for gender-conscious militarized manhood. The article concludes by identifying potential practical implications of this discourse.

INDONESIA'S FOREIGN POLICY CHANGE TOWARDS ROHINGYA ETHNIC ASYLUM SEEKERS IN 2015: A Foreign Policy Change Perspective

In 2015, Indonesia was shocked by the landing of a foreign ship containing Rohingya refugees in Aceh province. Not only Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand also experienced the same incident. The refugees came to obtain temporary asylum due to the country's conflict, which threatened the survival of the Rohingya tribe in Myanmar. Indonesia's rejection gave rise to various reactions from within and outside the country. Responding to this, Indonesia finally accepted the existence of Rohingya refugees by also signing the Joint Statement Ministerial Meeting on Irregular Movement of People in Southeast Asia. These foreign policy changes will be examined further using the Foreign Policy Change theory to determine the factors influencing foreign policy-makers in deciding their foreign policy. This research will use explanatory-qualitative methods to analyze Indonesia's momentum in taking windows of opportunity toward the Joint Statement Ministerial Meeting on Irregular Movement of People in Southeast Asia.

Third-party countries in cyber conflict: Public opinion and conflict spillover in cyberspace

The transnational nature of cyberspace alters the role of third-party countries (TPCs) in international conflict. In the conventional environment, military operations are primarily confined to the boundaries of the combatants or a designated war zone. However, during cyber conflicts, operations may occur on the digital infrastructure of states not otherwise involved in the dispute. Nevertheless, within the cyber conflict literature, little is said about TPCs who, by virtue of interconnectivity, may find themselves involved in a conflict not of their own making. Consequently, we examine the political and diplomatic hazards of cyber operations involving these actors. Through survey experiments involving participants from the United Kingdom and Canada, we assess the public opinion impact of an offensive cyber operation’s revelation on a TPC population. We find that while these incidents are viewed negatively, prior authorization and the involvement of an ally reduces this tendency. Such conditions lead the public to perceive these operations as corresponding with their national interest while suppressing fears of the possible consequences following their indirect involvement.

Civil war mediation in the shadow of IGOs: The path to comprehensive peace agreements

Recent research shows that comprehensive peace agreements (CPAs) are effective in ending civil wars and improving post-conflict conditions, but CPAs emerge in only a fraction of civil wars. This study provides systematic evidence about the origins of CPAs and the role of international actors in facilitating their signing. We argue that mediation is more likely to be successful and that CPAs are more likely to emerge in those civil war countries that are members in a higher number of IGOs with high economic leverage. Using their financial and institutional leverage, these IGOs can help the combatants overcome the credible commitment problems associated with entering into mediation, and with making sufficient concessions and compromises to reach and sign a CPA. Analyzing all intrastate armed conflicts from 1989 to 2011, we find that a conflict country’s memberships in IGOs with high economic leverage increase the odds of (1) mediation occurring and (2) mediation subsequently leading to the signing of CPAs. This finding is robust to common sources of spurious relationships between international institutions and the behavior of conflict parties. Participating in IGOs with high economic leverage carries important positive consequences for civil war management and enhances the impact of mediation on getting conflict parties to sign CPAs.

Современное состояние высшего образования в Сирии и проблемы миграции

The article presents an analysis of the current situation in the field of higher education in Syria. In the context of the prolonged military conflict and political instability that has engulfed the country, the Syrian higher education system has faced serious challenges. The author highlights the most important problems of Syrian higher edu-cation, including its accessibility, the quality of educational programs, financing and infrastructure of educa-tional institutions. The impact of the conflict on academic research, migration mobility of students and teachers, and prospects for the restoration of the higher education system in Syria are also assessed. Along with this, the article contains recommendations and suggestions for improving the state of higher education in the country. Sociological theories and approaches were also applied in this work, which used research analysis methods, and were based on qualitative and quantitative research approaches such as interviews, questionnaires, statis-tical analysis and the theory of transnationality: this approach emphasizes the links between countries and transnational aspects of migration. The author analyzes how education affects transnational mobility and the reverse impact of migration on educational processes. The author used a Structural and functional approach to analyze the functionality of the Syrian higher education system and identify problems in its key structural ele-ments. The study is important for understanding the problems faced by higher education institutions in conflict countries, and can serve as a starting point for further research and development of educational, youth and migration policy in Syria.

The fiscal effects of armed conflicts in Africa

AbstractThis study examines the impact of armed conflicts on the fiscal capacity of African governments. It made use of a data set covering 1997–2021 for 50 countries, as well as the system dynamic generalized method of moment estimation technique. The results show that, in the short run, conflicts undermine tax revenue, mount pressure on military expenditure, and force governments to rely more on mineral resource rents for their fiscal needs. As conflicts persist, this fiscal feature changes to a pattern that reflects a decline in mineral resource earnings and an increase in tax revenue. The impact on public health expenditure also changes from an increasing to a decreasing pattern, whereas the positive impact on military expenditure and external borrowing persists over time. The findings suggest that African countries in conflict can address their fiscal challenges by observing these patterns and putting in place policies that protect public resources (e.g., the adoption of digital financial technology protocols to facilitate remote revenue collection and strategic protection of mineral resource‐endowed zones from insurgents' control). Overall, enhancing government effectiveness and strengthening the institutions of governance is important to facilitate a quick return to normalcy in the event of conflict and to prevent future conflicts.

Kebijakan Zero Draft COC Indonesia Dalam Mediasi Konflik Di Laut Cina Selatan

This article aims to analyze Indonesia's conflict mediation capabilities in the South China Sea. The problem is focused on Indonesia's Zero Draft Code policy in providing mediation direction through the outline of various draft agreements or agreements or agreements. To approach this problem, references to public policy theory, mediation, conflict and threats are used. The data is collected through official Indonesian government documents related to COC policy in the South China Sea, such as official statements, regulations, decisions, or other related documents. In addition, academic publications such as articles, journals, or research reports discussing Indonesia's COC policy in mediating conflicts in the South China Sea can be a source of relevant data and qualitative analysis. The results and findings in this study explain that the developing conflict has encouraged Indonesia to mediate through negotiation and the formulation of a code of ethics or zero draft code as a reference in encouraging the behavior of each country in conflict. Indonesia has an interest in maintaining regional stability in Southeast Asia. The study concluded that ASEAN member states in conflict with China agreed to the code of conduct, although China has not agreed given the US involvement in the conflict.

What drives public trust in the military in non-democracies: Evidence from Libya (2014-2019)

ABSTRACT This article investigates the conditions that lead to heightened trust in the military in non-democracies through an empirical study of post-2011 Libya. Drawing on the political science and sociology literatures on institutional trust in non-democratic contexts, we develop hypotheses linking public trust in the military to personal safety, political interest, Islamist orientation, trust in institutions, regionalism, and support for democracy. Using survey data collected by the Arab Barometer between 2014 and 2019, we empirically test these hypotheses. Our findings reveal a confluence of factors driving trust in the military in Libya, including regional, generational, educational, and class divides. Being older, male, and from the East contribute positively to trust in the military as well as perceived personal safety, trust in government, interest in politics, and support for democracy. On the other hand, an Islamist orientation, education and income are negatively correlated. These results allow us to speculate about the drivers of trust in the military. In particular, the positive impact of personal safety and support for democracy could reflect the public's perception of the army as responsible for ensuring safety and protecting a nation in turmoil. The role of interest in politics could be attributed to the charged context of politics and security after the 2014 elections. Notably, regional exceptionalism in the East could be related to the role and behaviour of the eastern-based, self-proclaimed Libyan National Army. Our paper contributes to the limited empirical research on trust in the military in non-democracies, backsliding in conflict countries, and political attitudes in Libya.

Exploring the Effectiveness of International Organizations Interventions on Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: The United Nations and MDecins Sans Frontieres as Examples

Womens bodies often bear the consequences of war and conflict. To safeguard womens dignity and health, international governmental organizations, represented by the UN, and international organizations, represented by Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF), have tried to prevent sexual violence through reforms and development interventions in countries in conflict. However, since the end of the civil conflict in 2003, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued to experience high levels of sexual violence. This paper uses case studies to provide a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the causes of the high prevalence of sexual violence and the reasons for the failure of two organisations interventions in the country. It also provides recommendations for future interventions by international organisations in the country. In particular, more realistic measures for the protection of victims and cooperation between international actors, not only focusing on conventional international actors but also taking into account cooperation with local NGOs and the media. As well as focusing more on how to change the deep-rooted gender inequalities. The intention is to fill the gap in how to address sexual violence from the perspective of international organisations.

Relative strength and foreign direct investment in civil conflicts

AbstractWhat factors contribute to the differences in foreign direct investment (FDI) levels in environments characterized as high risk? While research shows that armed conflict influences foreign investment decisions, it remains unclear how conflict dynamics, specifically the relative power capabilities of warring parties, affect FDI. This study explores the effects of rebel strength relative to government forces on FDI. We argue that there is a reduction in foreign investments in civil conflict countries as rebels gain a military advantage relative to the government. Stronger insurgents send a signal that the government is losing its strength in the conflict, creating uncertainty regarding conflict outcomes and posing economic and security risks for investors. To avoid facing economic and property losses due to increasing rebel strength, investors are incentivized to decrease their investment in the conflict state. Using data on insurgent troop size relative to government forces and FDI, our findings show that higher military capabilities of rebel forces relative to the government are associated with less FDI inflows in conflict-affected countries.

Impact pathways: unhooking supply chains from conflict zones—reconfiguration and fragmentation lessons from the Ukraine–Russia war

PurposeThe new geopolitical context being created by the Ukraine–Russia war highlights the need for structured approaches to planning and implementing unhooking strategies and developing associated supply chain reconfigurations.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have interviewed six supply chain executives to begin the investigation of the key supply chain risks and disruptions caused by the Ukraine–Russia war.FindingsInitial corporate responses to the Ukraine–Russia conflict were significant, perhaps unprecedented. However, as institutional, corporate and consumer sentiment influence reconfiguration responses, the authors have identified three supply chain pathways that underpin unhooking actions.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors selected respondents from each different type of supply chain interaction with the conflict zone (inbound, outbound and within), covering both components/intermediate products and finished goods. Therefore the sample size was small and designed to fit in with the spirit of the pathway initiative.Practical implicationsThe authors reinforce the key role of procurement and supply chain management in not just supply but also in downstream markets that can accelerate decoupling and mitigate the associated supply chain disruptions.Social implicationsThe authors observe that supply chains are increasingly being weaponized, as external institutional and consumer influences necessitate companies to unhook from conflict zones, countries, or regimes. They are becoming increasingly intertwined with foreign policy.Originality/valueThe novelty of the contribution to the associated discourse is the perspective that after decades of increasing globalization and geographic dispersion of supply chains, the unhooking effort is not limited to a firm and its internal operations but involves multiple stakeholders. For instance, the full extent of the complex linkages of supply chains, networks and relationships that touch conflict zone geographies must be considered, particularly those that are incompatible with the firm's values and aims, including those of their stakeholders.

The Role of Civil Society for Prevention and Combat of Violent Extremism and Radicalization Leading to Terrorism-war

Background: The civil society of different groups of actors, communities, and social formations, registered or unofficial, achieves responsibility and commitment in public life for the protection and promotion of values and common objectives for the good of society. Youth, women, and community representatives are the main actors in civil society that work to prevent and combat deviant phenomena in times of peace and especially during war, due to their influence and ability to promote social changes. Other interest groups, such as the media, law enforcement authorities, universities, researchers, and representatives of the academic world, as well as those involved in the private sector, can make important contributions to prevent wars and post-war events in crisis countries. The civil societies’ capacities in war and post-war countries can be strengthened by exchanging good practices for the programs of international institutions. Countries that have endured this situation, such as Kosova, Bosnja, Hercegovina, and Croatia, identify and support lesser known, reliable groups, creating networks and regional platforms for collaboration, and bringing professionals into contact with researchers and academics to gain results based on practical data and their implementation as soon as possible towards the countries in crisis. Methods: For this work, a combined methodology was used from the studies of self-accusation and victimisation to the fear of criminality: the method of legal analysis which is used to analyse the legal basis and current legislation that regulates strategies for the prevention of crimes, terrorism, and radicalism. The method of systemic analysis is used to study and analyse the position of legislation in the field and its position in the current legal system. The historical analysis method is used to explain the rates from the past and to compare the new rates with the historical ones. Finally, the researcher analysis method is used to explain the purpose and objectives of the study from the actual perspective of the survey and interview. Results and Conclusions: The paper is only the beginning of the research and analysis into the role of civil society in preventing and fighting extremism and terrorism that leads to harsh wars. The case studies and analysis will primarily encompass countries that have suffered from the following: the wars during 1990 to 1999 in the former Yugoslavia, the war in Syria, the unrest in Libya, and the current war in Ukraine. These will be part of the publication in the future. The main topics will cover the state of a country before, during, and after a war, the level and extreme inertia that led to terror and war, the consequences after conflicts, material and human trafficking, corruption and organised crime, humanitarian problems and refugees, and, finally, the role of civil society in this field, especially in light of human rights and freedom. Understanding the role of civil society in preventing, combating, and protecting human values is the first step in efforts towards national and comprehensive strategies to address the fear of horrific attacks from extremism and terrorism at war. This paper aims to provide good practices in the post-crisis country for crisis experiences, advance ideas and adequate methods of success, as well as give various suggestions and descriptions of their connection, describing the civil society that should follow, including educational programs, both preventive and rehabilitative with a positive impact on the community. It is important that civil society is given criteria, political issues, financial resources, and guidelines to succeed in its reasoning, and that its role appears as a reason to promote the adequate company in society. Prevention, combat, rehabilitation, and resocialisation programs in conflict and post-conflict countries, as a result of wars, are long-term and complex. Their success depends largely on the promotion of good practices and the sharing of lessons learned and resources in different contexts, both nationally and internationally. Through this work, we aim to contribute to this discourse by highlighting international organisations, such as the OSCE, UN, IOM, and the EU, and the role that civil society can and will play in making communities safer and more resilient to the challenges in the future, after wars end, as a result of extremism caused by wars in the 21st century.

Impact of Russia-Ukraine Conflict on Turkey's Economic Stability

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has significant implications for the stability of global order. Turkey, as a country that has profound relations with Russia and Ukraine, is also affected by the conflict that threatens the country's economic sector, which is currently in reform momentum. The Turkish government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strategically seeks to position itself as a conflict mediator to reach a peace resolution that will ultimately have an impact on the restoration of productive relations with Russia and Ukraine. The author will use a qualitative research approach with analytical descriptive methods that utilize various sources such as journals, books, scientific articles, media and other sources that have gone through the study process. This study uses the theory of national interest and rational choice to observe and identify President Erdogan's decision-making process in responding to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in a constructive and balanced manner without showing dominant partiality to either party. The results showed that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine had a significant impact on the stability of the Turkish economy, which strategically responded through restorative-based policies to rejuvenate productive relations with the two countries in conflict.

EU cultural heritage protection actions in post conflict countries

This article provides an overview of EU policy in the field of cultural heritage protection with particular emphasis on post conflict countries. The analysis describes and evaluates the overall EU’s approach in all areas of EU engagement in this domain, towards the subject of effective mandate implementation of civilian CSDP Missions with the protection of cultural assets in their field of operation. The concluding remarks compare achievements and shortcomings of ongoing missions against their mandates and objectives, outlining some selected EU initiatives which aim at improving the EU’s performance and propose further steps in the protection of cultural heritage.The EU has contributed to reconstruction, restauration or revitalisation of cultural heritage affected by recent conflicts and crises in Libya, Iraq, Yemen, promoting at the same time social cohesion, new job creation and reconciliation. Part of recovery processes, the projects in Cameroon, Somalia, Israel, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Kosovo, Republic of Moldova, etc. have contributed to improved inter-community trust through cultural heritage protection. Resent Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has caused thousands of deaths and major economic damages, brought destruction of civilian infrastructure and considerably affected cultural heritage. Monuments, museums, archaeological sides and archives, etc. were fully destroyed or brutally damaged. This triggered EUto recognise the importance of ensuring synergies and coordination between the EU and its Member States for maximization of the impact of our actions in support for cultural heritage in conflicts and crises, and in line with the EU Integrated Approach to External Conflicts and Crises.

Child neurodevelopmental disorders in armed conflict country, case of DR Congo: long-term trauma impact on brain development in childhood: review

Child neurodevelopmental disorders in armed conflict country, case of DR Congo: long-term trauma impact on brain development in childhood: review