title: A structural realist assessment of the strategic competition between the US and Iran in Iraq from 2003-2016

authors: Ram, Avish

subjects: United States

abstract: The invasion of Iraq in 2003 sparked a competition between two major Middle Eastern powers, the US and Iran, for influence in the former Ba’athist dictatorship. For the US, influencing Iraq would reinforce its position, strengthen Washington’s security in the international system by turning a former enemy into an ally, and provide the US with the ability to engage Iran, its chief rival more effectively by positioning itself right on Tehran’s border. It would also help secure its border by ensuring that Baghdad would never rise to threaten Tehran’s national security in the future and decrease American power in the wider region while enhancing its own capabilities in the Middle East. To interrogate this competition, the thesis investigates the strategic competition between the US and Iran from 2003-2016 through the lens of structural realism (and its offensive and defensive sub-variants) and examines the tactics, actors, and policies adopted by each side in their quest to gain an advantage over the other. It finds, ultimately, that Iran proved to be more successful than the US in acquiring a position of relative strength in Iraq.

text: A structural realist assessment of the strategic competition between the US and Iran in Iraq from 2003-2016 The invasion of Iraq in 2003 sparked a competition between two major Middle Eastern powers, the US and Iran, for influence in the former Ba’athist dictatorship. For the US, influencing Iraq would reinforce its position, strengthen Washington’s security in the international system by turning a former enemy into an ally, and provide the US with the ability to engage Iran, its chief rival more effectively by positioning itself right on Tehran’s border. It would also help secure its border by ensuring that Baghdad would never rise to threaten Tehran’s national security in the future and decrease American power in the wider region while enhancing its own capabilities in the Middle East. To interrogate this competition, the thesis investigates the strategic competition between the US and Iran from 2003-2016 through the lens of structural realism (and its offensive and defensive sub-variants) and examines the tactics, actors, and policies adopted by each side in their quest to gain an advantage over the other. It finds, ultimately, that Iran proved to be more successful than the US in acquiring a position of relative strength in Iraq.

year: 2022

title: The othering othered: English female travel writers in Arabia

authors: Hakami, Thabit Yahya

abstract: This thesis examines female travel writing in Arabia. Travel writing as an Orientalist discourse influenced both ordinary and well-educated people in the West to look at the Orient through Orientalist stereotypes: “primitive” life-style of nomads, oil industry, or lands of constant conflicts. Travel writing in Arabia is dealt with as a prominent way for understanding the Orient, especially the Arabian Peninsula in the period 1800 – 1950s.
Female travellers had the privilege of accessing the “Harem”, the secluded part of the Arabian house for women in addition to their access (as white women) to the men’s reception rooms. Studying these writers enables us to see how the Orient as “Other” is represented by female travellers who were considered “Other” themselves in the Western context.
This thesis draws on scholars who adopt a feminist reading of Orientalism and who refuse the neglect of female travel writing and assert that female travel writers did produced imperialist images in their unique styles and aesthetic accounts. This thesis centres on the writings of three female travellers who travelled in Arabia between 1878-1940s: Lady Anne Blunt (1878), Gertrude Bell (1913), and Freya Stark (1930s – 1940s). The analysis of these travellers argues that Orientalism is the unique response of any given Orientalist. It depends on the individuals’ cultural, social, political, and psychological background, which in turn contributes to the study of Orientalism in general as an overarching theme in the Western perspective on the Middle East.

text: The othering othered: English female travel writers in Arabia This thesis examines female travel writing in Arabia. Travel writing as an Orientalist discourse influenced both ordinary and well-educated people in the West to look at the Orient through Orientalist stereotypes: “primitive” life-style of nomads, oil industry, or lands of constant conflicts. Travel writing in Arabia is dealt with as a prominent way for understanding the Orient, especially the Arabian Peninsula in the period 1800 – 1950s.
Female travellers had the privilege of accessing the “Harem”, the secluded part of the Arabian house for women in addition to their access (as white women) to the men’s reception rooms. Studying these writers enables us to see how the Orient as “Other” is represented by female travellers who were considered “Other” themselves in the Western context.
This thesis draws on scholars who adopt a feminist reading of Orientalism and who refuse the neglect of female travel writing and assert that female travel writers did produced imperialist images in their unique styles and aesthetic accounts. This thesis centres on the writings of three female travellers who travelled in Arabia between 1878-1940s: Lady Anne Blunt (1878), Gertrude Bell (1913), and Freya Stark (1930s – 1940s). The analysis of these travellers argues that Orientalism is the unique response of any given Orientalist. It depends on the individuals’ cultural, social, political, and psychological background, which in turn contributes to the study of Orientalism in general as an overarching theme in the Western perspective on the Middle East.

year: 2021

title: The perspective of youth leadership through the insight of current Māori leaders

authors: Wairepo, Ngareta

abstract: Within Te Ao Māori, leadership qualities are central to Māori cultural norms and societal structures. In particular, a rich legacy of supporting intergenerational leadership exists, wherein following generations are endorsed into these leadership roles. Yet, little is documented in academic literature regarding first-hand experiences of the relationship between current Māori leader’s opinions, experiences, and perceptions for supporting the development of future and upcoming rangatahi into leadership roles. Therefore, this research project seeks to explore how leadership and the value of intergenerational indigenous wisdom can contribute to the supporting and flourishing of rangatahi into leadership roles and responsibilities in their communities to support intergenerational leadership development. 
A Kaupapa Māori approach was used for the framework to centre Indigenous ways of being and knowing. Eight semi-structured, conversational interviews were conducted with current Māori leaders to understand their perceptions, experiences, and opinions on leadership. These were then analysed using thematic analysis. Three major themes were identified; Mental strategies, Understanding the complexity of Māori leadership, and Intergenerational development. This research affirms the importance of leadership for Māori communities, and in particular, the role of intergenerational knowledge-sharing as key for supporting rangatahi to be well.

text: The perspective of youth leadership through the insight of current Māori leaders Within Te Ao Māori, leadership qualities are central to Māori cultural norms and societal structures. In particular, a rich legacy of supporting intergenerational leadership exists, wherein following generations are endorsed into these leadership roles. Yet, little is documented in academic literature regarding first-hand experiences of the relationship between current Māori leader’s opinions, experiences, and perceptions for supporting the development of future and upcoming rangatahi into leadership roles. Therefore, this research project seeks to explore how leadership and the value of intergenerational indigenous wisdom can contribute to the supporting and flourishing of rangatahi into leadership roles and responsibilities in their communities to support intergenerational leadership development. 
A Kaupapa Māori approach was used for the framework to centre Indigenous ways of being and knowing. Eight semi-structured, conversational interviews were conducted with current Māori leaders to understand their perceptions, experiences, and opinions on leadership. These were then analysed using thematic analysis. Three major themes were identified; Mental strategies, Understanding the complexity of Māori leadership, and Intergenerational development. This research affirms the importance of leadership for Māori communities, and in particular, the role of intergenerational knowledge-sharing as key for supporting rangatahi to be well.

year: 2024