Examining Shifts In Group-Based Motivations For Civil Conflicts In Libya,
2025
University of Massachusetts Boston
Examining Shifts In Group-Based Motivations For Civil Conflicts In Libya, Michael D. Buhrmester, William B. Swann Jr., Brian Mcquinn, Alexis Everington, Layal Hafid, Harvey Whitehouse
New England Journal of Public Policy
This study examines shifting group alignments in Libya from 2011 to 2019, exploring their impact on continued conflict. Following up on our original research into group bonding among insurgents during the 2011 revolution, we conducted two surveys in Benghazi: first in 2015, during the aftermath of Operation Dignity, and again in 2019, as General Khalifa Haftar’s forces waged war against Tripoli. Our results show that the previously very strong group bonds with 2011 revolutionary fighters had dissipated by 2015, replaced by allegiance to Haftar’s militias. By 2019, this alignment extended to Haftar himself, reinforcing an “us versus them” mentality that …
How Gaza Sees The 2023-2025 War And The Future Of The Israel-Palestine Conflict,
2025
University of Massachusetts Boston
How Gaza Sees The 2023-2025 War And The Future Of The Israel-Palestine Conflict, Scott Atran, Laura Rodriguez-Gómez, Kamil Yilmaz, Ángel Gómez
New England Journal of Public Policy
In political science and international relations, as in foreign policy and military circles, a debate is ongoing between “realists” and “moralists” regarding the importance of material factors (territory, economy, security, etc.) versus value-laden factors (justice, ideals, identity, etc.) in motivating, sustaining, and ending wars. An early 2025 representative survey of Gaza’s population considers both sets of factors in how Gazans perceive the present and future states of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Comparisons with our previous studies in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe aim to extend this survey’s relevance beyond the current Israel-Palestine theater. The survey suggests that after waging …
Understanding The Underlying Motivations Of The Russia-Ukraine War,
2025
University of Massachusetts Boston
Understanding The Underlying Motivations Of The Russia-Ukraine War, John Bell
New England Journal of Public Policy
Conflict resolution often focuses on material interests or trust building rather than the core psychological needs of the sides. Mapping the key emotional red lines of parties and addressing them creatively may offer new opportunities for peace. This article examines such an approach for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with reflection on the Middle East where such a mapping of needs has begun. This approach leads to the concept of mutual needs satisfaction, where all sides’ critical red lines are addressed, if imperfectly. This is discussed regarding Russia, Ukraine, and the West today. As former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat demonstrated by going …
Subnational Diplomacy As 'Positive Fragmentation': Our Best Hope For A Peaceful Collapse Of The Nation-State?,
2025
University of Massachusetts Boston
Subnational Diplomacy As 'Positive Fragmentation': Our Best Hope For A Peaceful Collapse Of The Nation-State?, Alison R. Holmes
New England Journal of Public Policy
The current phase of globalization is one of fundamental erosion in the efficacy of the territorial nation-state and slow implosion of traditional sovereignty-based models of the state system. Combined with the breakdown of the rationalist-universalist ‘consensus,’ sub-state entities up and down the “vertical axis” of diplomacy are increasingly asserting mutually exclusive concepts of power and self-determination that could lead to a potential fragmentation of the basic structures of governance. Linear theories of state development and traditional definitions of sovereignty, with its consequent forms of recognition, urgently need to be revised or the likelihood of a continued disruption of international collaboration, …
Political And Psychological Effects Of Political Public Art In Conflict Zones,
2025
University of Massachusetts Boston
Political And Psychological Effects Of Political Public Art In Conflict Zones, Leora Sotto, Caryl Sibbett
New England Journal of Public Policy
This article will explore the topic of conflict-related visual-political media displayed in public in Israel and Northern Ireland, such as posters, banners, and murals. We will discuss examples of such political public art, looking at graphic characteristics as well as several multi-faceted topics that tend to appear: first, the topic of victim / victimizer, art expressing feelings of aggression, blaming, injustice, or pain; second, cross-cultural similarities and differences in the art expression; third, art promoting peace. We will reflect on these from a psychotherapy perspective, noting themes of trauma and dis/empowerment. We will discuss visual art and war, their interaction, …
Preventing War As Ending War: The European Network Remembrance And Solidarity On Channeling Potential Conflict Through Dialogue On History,
2025
University of Massachusetts Boston
Preventing War As Ending War: The European Network Remembrance And Solidarity On Channeling Potential Conflict Through Dialogue On History, Rafal Rogulski
New England Journal of Public Policy
Dialogue about history is an important element in the processes of ordering social and international reality. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in Europe alone, we have experienced so many dramas that virtually every country and its citizens have issues in their history that call for prolonged and consistent dialogue, often in an international setting. Colonialism, wars, totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, genocide, forced displacement—we have a lot to talk about in Europe when it comes to history. The establishment and activities of the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity provide an example of how international discourse on history can be conducted …
Introduction,
2025
University of Massachusetts Boston
Introduction, John, Lord Alderdice
New England Journal of Public Policy
Introduction for Volume 37, Issue 1 of the New England Journal of Public Policy.
Solving Global Problems Requires Global Cohesion,
2025
University of Massachusetts Boston
Solving Global Problems Requires Global Cohesion, Harvey Whitehouse, John, Lord Alderdice, Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Peter Gluckman, Hakima El Haité, Lukas Reinhardt
New England Journal of Public Policy
A growing body of evidence from evolutionary anthropology and social psychology suggests that group cohesion can be scaled up beyond the level of nations and even regional blocs and transnational religions to encompass humanity at large. This article brings together insights from globally renowned political leaders, activists, and academics by arguing that this scaling up is not only possible but necessary to address the most pressing collective action problems facing our planet today. Drawing on evidence from experiments, longitudinal studies, and multi-country surveys, along with extensive practical experience—from serving as a head of state to playing leading roles in climate …
The Giants Of Coercion: Major Powers And The Mobilization Of Global Sanctions Coalitions,
2025
CUNY Graduate Center
The Giants Of Coercion: Major Powers And The Mobilization Of Global Sanctions Coalitions, Louis Charbonneau
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
This dissertation examines the conditions under which sanctions-sending states can successfully mobilize broad international support for coercive measures on a target state for violating international security norms. Using the case of international sanctions on Iran from 2006 to 2016, I develop a theory of how sanctions senders mobilize support for, and cooperation with, coercive measures on target states. The theory has two parts. First, states seeking international sanctions against a target with broad participation and support need unity and cooperation on the part of major powers in the international system. Second, securing the unity and cooperation of major powers makes …
Post Soviet Russia: Challenges To Transition And Modernization,
2025
Old Dominion University
Post Soviet Russia: Challenges To Transition And Modernization, Chick Edmond
Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications
The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the beginning of a complex, often turbulent, period of transition and modernization for Russia. Unlike the anticipated linear path toward Western-style democracy and market economics, Russia’s post-Soviet experience has been defined by profound contradictions, reversals, and ongoing contestations over its political, economic, and social order (Minakov, 2016). The initial wave of reforms, particularly in the 1990s, brought about radical economic restructuring, privatization, and an attempted shift to a free-market system. Yet, these rapid changes led to significant economic dislocation, social inequality, and the rise of oligarchic power structures, which ultimately undermined …
Faith In Conflict: The Role Of Religion In Conflict And Peacebuilding Among Minority Christian Communities In Ukraine And Palestine,
2025
Seattle Pacific University
Faith In Conflict: The Role Of Religion In Conflict And Peacebuilding Among Minority Christian Communities In Ukraine And Palestine, Julia Lats
Honors Projects
Religion has long influenced both the escalation of conflicts and efforts toward peace. The wars in Ukraine and Palestine are deeply rooted in historical narratives, national identities, and religious influences. While the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is often framed in terms of Jewish-Muslim tensions and the issue of politicization of religion and tensions within the Orthodox Church frame the Ukrainian-Russian War, these dominant narratives often overlook the role of minority religious groups. This paper examines the contributions of Protestant Christian groups in these regions, exploring how their beliefs and practices influence their actions, identity formation, interactions with others, and approaches to conflict …
Selected Artificial Intelligence Provisions In U.S. Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act,
2025
Purdue University
Selected Artificial Intelligence Provisions In U.S. Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, Bert Chapman
Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations
The 2025 Fiscal Year National Defense Authorization Act contains multiple provisions relating to artificial intelligence (AI). These congressionally mandated provisions direct various sections of the Department of Defense (DOD) and individual U.S. armed service branches to execute congressional intent for AI policymaking. Examples of such intent include identifying and planning DOD's AI workforce, demonstrating AI biotechnology applications for national security, improving the human usability of AI systems, and establishing an AI security center. This presentation will note that reports on these initiatives must be prepared for relevant congressional oversight committees, and, in many cases, are in many cases, publicly released …
"La Vida Es Un Carnaval": An Exploration Of Cuban Identity And Nostalgia Through Dance/Movement Therapy - A Community Engagement Project,
2025
Lesley University
"La Vida Es Un Carnaval": An Exploration Of Cuban Identity And Nostalgia Through Dance/Movement Therapy - A Community Engagement Project, Maria Fernanda Mendez Mendoza
Expressive Therapies Theses
“La Vida Es Un Carnaval” is a community engagement project and thesis that explores how identity and nostalgic resilience show up through dance/movement therapy with Cuban immigrants living in the United States, specifically Massachusetts. This project brought together six Cuban-born participants, ages 26 to 67, each with their own unique migration stories; from the Rafter Balsero Crisis of 1994, to the “Wet-Foot/Dry-Foot” policy, and family reunification. Through a mix of in-person and online sessions, participants explored their experiences using intermodal activities including dance/movement therapy techniques, conversation, journaling, artwork, and music. Themes of cultural pride, “Cubanía” – Cuban-ness, culture shock, and …
How The United States Has Failed To Enact Competitive And Stable Energy Policy Through Federalism,
2025
College of the Holy Cross
How The United States Has Failed To Enact Competitive And Stable Energy Policy Through Federalism, Matthew James Marcaccio
Washington Semester Program
This research focuses on the effects of energy policy in the United States. Because of the impacts of energy production and transmissions emissions, energy policy has become synonymous with climate policy. As such, there seems to be two schools of thought regarding energy policy. On the one hand, “green” energy policies have been endorsed for their potential to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on non-renewable resources. On the other, continuing to use legacy energy sources, namely fossil fuels, has been endorsed for its affordability and ease of use through existing infrastructure. At the federal level, green policies have been embraced …
Death, Violence, And Condemnation: The News Media Coverage Of The 1981 Prisoners’ Hunger Strike In Northern Ireland In The United Kingdom And Ireland,
2025
Chapman University
Death, Violence, And Condemnation: The News Media Coverage Of The 1981 Prisoners’ Hunger Strike In Northern Ireland In The United Kingdom And Ireland, Tyler Coker
Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters
During the Troubles, the ethno-political conflict between the majority Catholics and minority ruling Protestants in Northern Ireland that lasted from 1968 to 1998, the 1981 prisoners’ hunger strike in Belfast’s HM Prison Maze was a key turning point. The starvation death of 10 striking prisoners gained the world’s attention, as one by one Irish prisoners died in British custody. This tragedy helped push the Irish nationalist movement toward a diplomatic means of negotiation. As one of the most influential events during the conflict, the news media covered the strike extensively, shaping the narrative of the strike to largely uninformed audiences. …
Defining The Enemy Within: Examining The Case For A Federal Mechanism To Designate Domestic Terrorist Organizations In The United States,
2025
College of the Holy Cross
Defining The Enemy Within: Examining The Case For A Federal Mechanism To Designate Domestic Terrorist Organizations In The United States, Evelyn Schneider
College Honors Program
Domestic terrorist incidents are on the rise within the United States. Activities of domestic terrorism increased by 357% between 2013 and 2021. While the United States has experienced a dramatic growth in domestic terrorism from violent organizations, other countries have faced this similar problem with a different approach as they have created mechanisms to officially designate domestic terrorist organizations. In this thesis, I will answer the question: Could and should the United States create a federal proscription mechanism for domestic terrorist organizations? Chapter 2 explores whether the Proud Boys, a domestic organization within the United States, could be considered a …
Recent U.S. Government Policy Literature On Critical And Strategic Minerals,
2025
Purdue University
Recent U.S. Government Policy Literature On Critical And Strategic Minerals, Bert Chapman
Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research
Critical and strategic minerals have become increasingly important in U.S. government civilian and military policymaking in recent years. This is demonstrated by the heavy use of such minerals in many critical civilian and military infrastructures. This work will discuss how this subject has been addressed in laws, presidential documents, and works by government agencies along with congressional oversight committees and support agencies. It will stress how the United States is heavily dependent on strategic minerals from adversarial foreign countries such as China and will examine U.S. efforts to increase its ability to produce such materials in the United States by …
The Mujahedeen E-Khalq Of Iran (Mek): Agents Of Democratic Revolution Or Cultic Oppression?,
2025
Coastal Carolina University
The Mujahedeen E-Khalq Of Iran (Mek): Agents Of Democratic Revolution Or Cultic Oppression?, Molly Jones
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis focuses on the People’s Mujahideen of Iran (MEK), an Iranian oppositional group that has engaged in a decades-long effort to depose the Iranian government. The goal of this thesis has three parts. First, it examines if the MEK should be classified as a new religious movement/cult. It also addresses the implications of such status given the MEK’s claims that it functions as a democratic entity and that it can be trusted to govern Iran in democratic fashion. Secondly, it examines if Iranian disinformation has influenced the MEK’s reputation. Thirdly, it analyses how the MEK has been able to …
The Odds Of War: Links Between Conflict And Service Member Health,
2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
The Odds Of War: Links Between Conflict And Service Member Health, Duncan E. Mcnees
Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses
With the recent uptick in global tension and warfare between states, it is increasingly important to understand the nature of different types of conflict and how they affect the most important resources any nation's arsenal - the service member. Although there is a significant amount of raw data for casualties across all recent U.S. conflicts, there are remarkably few studies that examine the impact of specific conflict types directly on veteran disability levels. This paper uses recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Community Population Survey (CPS) Veterans Supplement to examine three major conflict periods and their differing effects on …
A Fragile New World: An Analysis Of The History, Present, And Future Of The U.S. Global Fragility Act,
2025
Chapman University
A Fragile New World: An Analysis Of The History, Present, And Future Of The U.S. Global Fragility Act, Declan F. Coakley
International Studies (MA) Theses
In 2019, the U.S. Congress passed the Global Fragility Act with bipartisan support. (GFA). The act aimed to reform U.S. foreign aid and development, focusing on stabilization initiatives that proactively address the root causes of conflict before they escalate into full-blown violence. Despite the significant implications of the GFA for both domestic and international foreign policy, extant research examining the novel legislation remains limited and disjointed in its examination. This paper builds on previous studies by combining content analysis and qualitative interviews with a diverse group of professionals within the foreign aid sector to offer a comprehensive analysis of the …
