Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of Military Leadership In Servicemembers' Perceptions Of Mental Health Treatment, Peter M. Farley

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine how combat veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom believe unit leadership in the military addresses the topic of mental health wellness, and how this may influence their individual perceptions on the issue. The specific research question of the study was, "How do veterans perceive mental health wellness is addressed by unit leadership, and how does this affect their attitudes towards psychological treatment in the military? A total of 107 servicemembers completed an online survey consisting of 13 Likert scale and four open-ended questions that …

To Forgive And Forget: How Reconciliation And Amnesty Legislation In Afghanistan Forgives War Criminals While Forgetting Their Victims, Sara L. Carlson

Penn State Journal of Law & International Affairs

More than three decades of war and hundreds of thousands killed or brutalized by the actions of warlords and insurgent commanders vying for power comprise the backdrop of modern Afghanistan. As Afghanistan continues toward a new era, seeking democracy in a country where tribal affiliations and ethnic groups often usurp any sense of patriotism, the reconciliation of armed fighters while providing an adequate grievance process for victims of war crimes must take priority in the process adopted to unify the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This comment explores the current attempt by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to provide a system …

Transitioning Mine Action Programmes To National Ownership | Afghanistan, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

In response to the limited guidance on the topic of transition to national ownership, the GICHD commissioned nine country case studies in 2011 to highlight different contexts, processes, challenges, good practices and lessons learnt from the process of transition to national ownership.

Based on lessons learnt and the good practices highlighted in the case studies, the GICHD, in collaboration with UNMAS, produced a Guide on Transitioning Mine Action Programmes to National Ownership.

Mine Action Support For Armed Violence Reduction: Mission Creep Or Responding To Wider Security Needs? Policy Brief, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

he policy brief summarises the findings of GICHD study into the role of mine action organisations in reducing armed violence.

The 12 case studies profile the AVR-related programmes of different organisations.

Download policy brief and case studies in English, with some versions in French and Spanish

Albania Mine and Munitions Coordination Office's and DanChurchAid's UXO hotspot clearance project in Albania

Action On Armed Violence's post-conflict rehabilitation and reintegration programme in Liberia

DanChurchAid’s SALW awareness raising project in Burundi

Danish Demining Group’s Community Safety Programmes in Somaliland and Uganda

HALO Trust’s reintegration of former combatants into demining in Afghanistan

Handicap International’s …

Mine/Erw Risk Education In Afghanistan, Samim Hashimi

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Afghanistan continues to face many challenges from landmines and explosive remnants of war. The Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan and its many partners coordinate to reduce risk for affected communities. Teacher training, mass media and a revamped mine risk education curriculum for schools are important facets of recent efforts. In addition, regular monitoring of MRE ensures quality education for all citizens in at-risk areas.

Book Review: Fragile States, Lohar Brock, Hans-Henrik Holm, Georg Sorensen, Michael Stohl, Hakim Mohandas Amani Williams

Africana Studies Faculty Publications

In an era when good governance features prominently on the global development agenda, there seems to be a corollary spotlight on state fragility. In this book - a quick read that covers much ground - the authors wade into the conceptual waters of state fragility with the following aims: (i) sketching more clearly its conceptual parameters, including its core characteristics; (ii) dissecting its connection to violent conflict; (iii) analyzing the role that international society has played in relation to fragile statehood; and (iv) laying out two proposals for tackling its intractability. These analyses are conducted through the prism of three …

Land Rights And Mine Action In Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

This document provides simple, practical guidance on land issues for mine action organisations in Afghanistan. It covers the following topics: why land matters for mine action; land rights and land release; what mine action organisations can do; and where to get additional information and support.

From The Editor, Robert H. Taylor

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

The Afghanistan Experience: Democratization By Force, Cora Sol Goldstein

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Coin Is Dead—Long Live Transformation, Cora Ford, Patrick Rose, Howard Body

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Afghanistan: Strategy And War Termination, Christopher Tuck

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Land Rights And Mine Action In Afghanistan: Analysis And Programming Entry-Points For Mine Action Organisations - Final Report, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

In 2010, GICHD initiated a project on landmines and land rights in conflict affected contexts. The purpose of the project was to strengthen the capacity of mine action organisations to prevent and respond to land-related conflict before, during and after mine action operations. Since 2011, GICHD has been partnering with UN-HABITAT to undertake a series of land assessment and support missions in key countries toprovide mine action organisations with analyses of land related conflicts and practical guidance on how they can ensure their mine action operations “do no harm” and take land issues into consideration. This report summarizes the main …

Research Brief: "Civilian Employment Among Recently Returning Afghanistan And Iraq National Guard Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief shows the impact of OIF and OEF National Guard and Reserve veterans' mental health problems on their likelihood of employment. This study, unusually, found that less than half of the surveyed National Guard and Reserve service members had obtained employment by 45-60 days post-mobilization, despite their possible mental health problems. Suggestions for future research include gathering information from all potential survey participants, as well as service members entering the civilian workforce, beyond the first 45-60 days post-deactivation, rather than within this period.

Environmental Determinants Of Landmine Detection By Dogs: Findings From A Large-Scale Study In Afghanistan, Rebecca Sargisson, Ian Mclean, Jennifer Brown, Håvard Bach

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article's purpose is to examine the strengths and weaknesses of mine-detection dogs in different environments. The experiments employed a total of 39 dogs in Afghanistan between October 2002 and July 2003. The results are discussed here.

Afghan Experience Calls For Innovative Approach To Ddr, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Criminal activities, illegal arms trading and violence against civilians continue threatening Afghanistan's stability and security, and hinder the work of humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. As a result, potential investors are discouraged from making heavy capital investments, and NGOs cannot implement projects that could dramatically improve the socioeconomic condition of civilians. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration appear to be crucial steps for the success of post-conflict recovery in Afghanistan. Conducting DDR in the complex and turbulent Afghan environment has proven difficult, and this article explores past attempts at DDR in Afghanistan to draw lessons for future efforts.

Livelihoods Analysis Of Landmine/Erw Affected Communities In Herat Province Afghanistan, Gichd, Mine Action Coordination Centre For Afghanistan, Gender In Mine Action

Global CWD Repository

The Mine Action Coordination Centre for Afghanistan (MACCA) and the Department for Mine Clearance (DMC) are seeking to better understand the development outcomes of demining. They plan to undertake community-level surveys on a periodic basis to document these achievements and identify changes to policy and practice that could further enhance the contribution that the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan (MAPA) makes towards Afghanistan’s development. The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), working within the framework of the MoU between the GICHD and the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), assisted with the design and implementation of a pilot project that …

Winning The Story War: Strategic Communication And The Conflict In Afghanistan, George Dimitriu

George Dimitriu

In conflicts of the information age success in the application of force depends less on the outcome of tactical operations on the battlefields but more on how the war's purpose, course and conduct is viewed by public opinion at home as well as within the theatre of operations. Therefore western allies in Iraq and Afghanistan are not only involved in a physical struggle but also in a struggle over perceptions, for no long-term engagement of troops is possible without support from home, nor can a counterinsurgency succeed without the support of the local population. While the ability to exert influence …

The Afghan-Soviet War: The U.S. And Its Covert Cold War, Alexander Cooper

Honors Theses

The country of Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan in the southeast, Iran in the west, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the north, and China in the northeast, is home to over 20 million ethnically and religiously diverse people. Afghanistan is an Islamic country divided into several tribal based groups, which follow a variety of political and religious customs and traditions. Although considered an “Islamic Republic” today, or a government representative of all people, in actuality, the nation’s central government consists of the most powerful tribal groups and fighting factions in the country. Located in the center of Asia and the Middle East, the …

Alternative Vs. Traditional News: A Content Analysis Of News Coverage Of The 10th Anniversary Of Sept. 11, Rex Edward Barber Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The researcher sought to understand the differences in framing used by alternative media outlets and traditional or mainstream media outlets. A sampling of articles about the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was used from alternative and traditional media publications to conduct this study. These articles were analyzed by a software program to determine themes and concepts within both data sets. The analysis revealed traditional media was less varied in themes than was alternative media, with the latter clearly showing an effort to be. Traditional media was found to provide routine coverage of commemorative services and very …

Justifying Peacemaking In Afghanistan, Ethan Taylor

Honors College Theses

The situation in Afghanistan seems to be about as dire as it was in the 1980s. One major difference, though, is that Soviet forces no longer occupy the country, and at least the United States/NATO occupation is under the pretext of a humanitarian effort. Even so, the tragic process of U.S.-led state-building that has unfolded these last ten years has yielded little in terms of an effective government or infrastructure of any kind. If anything, the terrorist threat that the U.S. hoped to quell has become more elusive and determined than ever. Ethnic rivalry and warlordism are as prevalent as …

International Security, Development, And Human Rights: Policy Conversion Or Conflict?, Miao-Ling Lin Hasenkamp

Journal of International and Global Studies

This article uses an institutional network governance approach to explore the overlapping dimension of the policy fields between security, development, and human rights, reflected in the US and German provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan. The past two decades have witnessed a gradually changing paradigm in academic and policy debates regarding the questions of the normative basis of world order and possibilities for tackling imminent threats to security and peace (i.e. intra-state armed conflicts, failed states, terrorism, poverty, and deepening inequality). The introduction of concepts such as “human security” and “the right to humanitarian intervention/responsibility to protect (R2P)” as well …

Operationele Ontwikkeling Van De Nederlandse Special Operations Forces, 2005-2010, George Dimitriu, Gijs Tuinman, Martijn Van Der Vorm

George Dimitriu

Between 2005 and 2010 Dutch Special Operations Forces (SOF) carried out three mission in Afghanistan. The authors describe these missions in which both Army SOF and Marine SOF took part. They describe SOF and analyze the planning and execution of SOF missions. Further, they discuss the insights and developments that resulted from these experiences. By doing this, they not only clarify but also explain recent developments in the Dutch SOF realm. The lessons learned and best practices identified are a sound foundation for the future of Dutch SOF. (article in Dutch).

Agency Through Ambiguity: Women Ngo Workers In Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Melissa S. Kerr Chiovenda

Master's Theses

Pashtun women working for international NGOs and development organizations in Jalalabad Afghanistan balance the requirements of their employment with a set values, known as doing pashto, that guide their behavior as Pashtuns. These two influences on their lives are often contradictory. Based on fieldwork in Jalalabad, this study suggests that Pashtun women working for such organizations do not overtly resist Pashtun norms that often enforce a strict segregation of women. Rather, they use strategic ambiguity, maintaining that they are performing pashto well while at the same time taking part in some work activities that on the surface appear contrary to …

State-Society Incompatibility And Forced Migration: The Violent Development Of Afghanistan Under Socialist, Islamist, And Capitalist Regimes, Jeremy Hein, Tarique Niazi

Societies Without Borders

The state-centric theory of forced migration presents the nation-state as the ultimate sanctuary of citizen rights. It posits that forced migration results from state instability, which is caused by geopolitical or national identity conflict. In either case, it contends that the sources of forced migration are exogenous to the state. This paper argues that under certain conditions the state becomes an endogenous cause of refugees and internally displaced persons. These conditions occur when the state deploys violence to dominate society. Using the case of Afghanistan, we document that since 1973 a series of Socialist, Islamist, and Capitalist regimes have engaged …

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration: Pertaining To Public Safety And Homeland Security, Benjamin Martin Ogden

Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects

Despite the efforts of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Government, Armed Forces, and other law enforcement agencies, illegal drug uses continues to be a major issue. The direct connection between illicit drugs and terrorism, specifically in Afghanistan, poses a major threat to America along with the effects these drugs have on public health. In order to continue to successfully counter illegal drug trafficking and abuse in the United States it is essential to bolster numerous aspects of the Drug Enforcement Administration its efforts. This includes management, public-private partnerships, and critical infrastructure protection. It is also necessary for …

New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Terrorist Financing & Drug Trafficking Strategy, Danielle Morita O'Mara

Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects

My Masters Project focuses around the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NY/NJ HIDTA). Narco-terrorism has become a significant issue for the safety and security of the United States. Terrorist financing also plays a significant role in the war on terror. I chose to create a three part strategy for the NY/NJ HIDTA that will combat both narco-terrorism and terrorist financing. Each chapter describes another detailed plan of how the NY/NJ HIDTA, as well as particular agencies within, combat these issues in attempt to keep our nation secure. My Masters Project was carefully constructed with a strong focus …

'Delivering' Education; Maintaining Inequality. The Case Of Children With Disabilities In Afghanistan, Jean-Francois Trani, Parul Bakhshi, Anand Nandipati

Brown School Faculty Publications

Education for children with disabilities in Afghanistan, particularly disabled girls, continues to lag behind despite laudable efforts of the Ministry of Education to promote universal access for all. The opportunity for education constitutes not just a means of achieving learning outcomes but also a space for social interaction, individual development and psychosocial support, which are paramount in Conflict Affected Fragile States (CAFS). However, many persisting barriers still need to be overcome in Afghanistan to allow education for all and change negative attitudes towards education of children with disabilities. In this paper we argue that viewing education as a basic commodity, …

Poverty And Disability: A Vicious Circle? Evidence From Afghanistan And Zambia, Jean-Francois Trani, Mitchell M. Loeb

Brown School Faculty Publications

Disability and poverty have a complex and interdependent relationship. It is commonly understood that persons with disabilities are more likely to be poor and that poverty may contribute to sustaining disability. This interdependency is revealed not only through an examination of poverty in terms of income but also on a broader scale through other poverty related dimensions. Just how robust is this link? This paper compares data collected from household surveys in Afghanistan and Zambia, and explores the potential link between multidimensional poverty and disability. We find evidence of lower access to health care, education and labour market for people …

The Security & Development Nexus, Manizha Sayar

Dissertations and Theses

In the 21st century the need for conflict and post-conflict reconstruction efforts have increased since a number of conflicts in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe necessitated the building of newly-democratized states while aiming to achieve security and promoting development. The difficulties that arise when helping to reconstruct states that have failed or those approaching a “failed state” status is that they are neither stable nor have a secure environment which prevent the opportunity for economic development, despite reconstruction efforts. These are the most difficult of situations due to the interconnectedness and direct correlation of the two significant criterions for established …

United States' Strategy In Afghanistan From 2001 To Today, Haley Stauss

Pepperdine Policy Review

No abstract provided.