Transatlantic Interests and Democratic Possibility in a Transforming Middle East
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: Politics and International Studies
Abstract
My research will evaluate how the Arab Spring, the popular name for the pro-democracy uprisings across the region in the early part of 2011, has affected US and EU policy towards regional allies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The events in one country after another were viewed from across the West with a mixture of awe and hope. There was great respect for the bravery of individual citizens who seemed to be willing to risk everything for a chance to topple existing authoritarian regimes, and this was coupled with a genuine desire to see personal political freedom extended to those people who had previously enjoyed very little of it. At the same time, though, as the wider population in the west was watching with great anticipation the efforts of indigenous democracy campaigns to cast off their existing political shackles, it must be noted that the Arab Spring itself serves as direct repudiation of the democratisation policy previously being conducted in the region by both the US and EU.
I will seek to understand this tension by exploring how strategic calculations which attempt to balance democracy promotion by external actors with the security of other interests in the region are being transformed by events. Encouraging democratic transition in the MENA has been the stated aim of US and EU policy-makers since September 11 2001 in the name of national security at home, on the assumption that the socialisation of individuals to democratic norms will lessen the chances of the MENA becoming a breeding ground for terrorist organisations. Significantly, though, the one model of democracy promotion which does not appear to have been on the agenda of policy-makers in Washington and Brussels was the type of bottom-up demand for democracy from civil society groups which animated the Arab Spring. Western policy-makers instead have always preferred a policy of gradualism which tried to work with the region's existing autocratic regimes. The Arab Spring challenges such a strategy in the most dramatic way imaginable, as it does the assumption that autocratic regimes will provide regional stability. This has fatally undermined existing policy, leaving US and EU foreign policy establishments struggling to create a new grand strategy of engagement with the region. My research will explore this gulf in policy making, charting: (i) the new initiatives which have emerged from Washington and Brussels to replace the now largely defunct policy which dominated before the Arab Spring; and (ii) the tensions which remain from the failure so far to remove all remaining vestiges of the original policy.
Arguably the biggest challenge which continues to face western policy-makers is the need for the US and EU to discover whether they have the foreign policy-making capacity to cope with the new regional realities on the ground. In particular, this might mean having to challenge the vested interests which have become embedded in their own security cultures if they are to promote that capacity successfully. The debate is currently in a continual process of reframing, as events are ongoing. My research seeks to trace that process of reframing in an attempt to show just how flexible the US and EU might now be to respond successfully to upcoming developments in the transition movements which were first activated during the Arab Spring. After all, it is not clear what the region will transform into: will the end result of the uprisings be more peaceful and stable democracies, a reversion back to autocratic rule after a temporary pro-democracy hiatus, the seizure of power by Islamist-dominated governments that are openly hostile to the "West", or a complex combination of all three when viewing the region as a whole? My three case study countries of Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia are designed to capture as many possibilities in this regard as possible, given that each responded to the Arab Spring in markedly different ways.
I will seek to understand this tension by exploring how strategic calculations which attempt to balance democracy promotion by external actors with the security of other interests in the region are being transformed by events. Encouraging democratic transition in the MENA has been the stated aim of US and EU policy-makers since September 11 2001 in the name of national security at home, on the assumption that the socialisation of individuals to democratic norms will lessen the chances of the MENA becoming a breeding ground for terrorist organisations. Significantly, though, the one model of democracy promotion which does not appear to have been on the agenda of policy-makers in Washington and Brussels was the type of bottom-up demand for democracy from civil society groups which animated the Arab Spring. Western policy-makers instead have always preferred a policy of gradualism which tried to work with the region's existing autocratic regimes. The Arab Spring challenges such a strategy in the most dramatic way imaginable, as it does the assumption that autocratic regimes will provide regional stability. This has fatally undermined existing policy, leaving US and EU foreign policy establishments struggling to create a new grand strategy of engagement with the region. My research will explore this gulf in policy making, charting: (i) the new initiatives which have emerged from Washington and Brussels to replace the now largely defunct policy which dominated before the Arab Spring; and (ii) the tensions which remain from the failure so far to remove all remaining vestiges of the original policy.
Arguably the biggest challenge which continues to face western policy-makers is the need for the US and EU to discover whether they have the foreign policy-making capacity to cope with the new regional realities on the ground. In particular, this might mean having to challenge the vested interests which have become embedded in their own security cultures if they are to promote that capacity successfully. The debate is currently in a continual process of reframing, as events are ongoing. My research seeks to trace that process of reframing in an attempt to show just how flexible the US and EU might now be to respond successfully to upcoming developments in the transition movements which were first activated during the Arab Spring. After all, it is not clear what the region will transform into: will the end result of the uprisings be more peaceful and stable democracies, a reversion back to autocratic rule after a temporary pro-democracy hiatus, the seizure of power by Islamist-dominated governments that are openly hostile to the "West", or a complex combination of all three when viewing the region as a whole? My three case study countries of Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia are designed to capture as many possibilities in this regard as possible, given that each responded to the Arab Spring in markedly different ways.
Planned Impact
Impact is very much part of the overall "DNA" of this research, which will benefit multiple stakeholders directly and indirectly, having been designed to create both medium-term benefits and a legacy beyond the life of the project.
For Academic Stakeholders the project will:
- Address important security issues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) following the developments of the Arab Spring.
- Generate new knowledge to contribute to the ongoing debate of the West's relationship with the MENA.
- Enhance detailed knowledge of the Arab Spring's effect on US and EU relation's with Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
- Establish new networks of UK and international scholars through constructing an International Politics of the Middle East Working Group, and a project Advisory Network, which will cross-fertilise multiple networks inside and outside of academia and support this research project.
- Innovate methodologically by building on an interdisciplinary Constructivist institutionalist framework and advancing the state of the art in computer assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) techniques.
- Produce a qualitative database exploitable for future researchers by myself and other analysts.
To advance the state of the specialist literature I will use the project to produce my second single-authored monograph, produce three academic journal articles targeted at high impact publications, present my ongoing results at international conferences and to validate/challenge my previous research findings by testing my former results with the latest CAQDAS techniques only made possible by recent technological advances. This latter will be part of an emphasis on creating a lasting legacy by building advanced CAQDAS skills capacity through delivering skills training to academic staff and students at Warwick and updating my "how to use CAQDAS" CD Rom and workbook for wider distribution.
For Policy-makers and practitioners this project will:
- Provide an evidence base from which policy decisions can be informed at the international level.
- Provide a comparative basis from which to access policy within the US and the EU.
- Inform policy practitioners of the wider concerns about democracy promotion strategies and inform discussions of how to balance this with wider national security concerns.
- Challenge the assumptions upon which "Western" policy is constructed in order to contribute to the ongoing policy debate of how to engage with the MENA in a context of conflicting interests following the Arab Spring.
To advance these aims the project will ensure that policy-makers and practitioners are part of the overall project construction by including them in the project's advisory network and engaging with them through existing, and to be expanded, networks.
For the public and ancillary beneficiaries this project will:
- provide a series of engagement strategies to increase public awareness of the issues generated by the Arab Spring for the "Western" policy and demonstrate how it affects national security in the UK and similar states.
- Provide a skills base in CAQDAS, beyond academia, that has a proven track record of providing core and advanced research skills that benefit research well beyond the purview of the research project's core focus.
To raise public awareness, a documentary will be made that makes this research tangible and accessible to audiences beyond academia. This will be combined with updates through a facebook page and my existing twitter account. The training of skilled people beyond academia will be facilitated through the "how to use CAQDAS" CD Rom and workbook.
Overall this research project is on an important and timely subject, will employ innovative research methods on the international stage, maximise its impact across disciplines and build my own skills that will strengthen my ability to carry out important research of benefit to society in the future.
For Academic Stakeholders the project will:
- Address important security issues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) following the developments of the Arab Spring.
- Generate new knowledge to contribute to the ongoing debate of the West's relationship with the MENA.
- Enhance detailed knowledge of the Arab Spring's effect on US and EU relation's with Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
- Establish new networks of UK and international scholars through constructing an International Politics of the Middle East Working Group, and a project Advisory Network, which will cross-fertilise multiple networks inside and outside of academia and support this research project.
- Innovate methodologically by building on an interdisciplinary Constructivist institutionalist framework and advancing the state of the art in computer assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) techniques.
- Produce a qualitative database exploitable for future researchers by myself and other analysts.
To advance the state of the specialist literature I will use the project to produce my second single-authored monograph, produce three academic journal articles targeted at high impact publications, present my ongoing results at international conferences and to validate/challenge my previous research findings by testing my former results with the latest CAQDAS techniques only made possible by recent technological advances. This latter will be part of an emphasis on creating a lasting legacy by building advanced CAQDAS skills capacity through delivering skills training to academic staff and students at Warwick and updating my "how to use CAQDAS" CD Rom and workbook for wider distribution.
For Policy-makers and practitioners this project will:
- Provide an evidence base from which policy decisions can be informed at the international level.
- Provide a comparative basis from which to access policy within the US and the EU.
- Inform policy practitioners of the wider concerns about democracy promotion strategies and inform discussions of how to balance this with wider national security concerns.
- Challenge the assumptions upon which "Western" policy is constructed in order to contribute to the ongoing policy debate of how to engage with the MENA in a context of conflicting interests following the Arab Spring.
To advance these aims the project will ensure that policy-makers and practitioners are part of the overall project construction by including them in the project's advisory network and engaging with them through existing, and to be expanded, networks.
For the public and ancillary beneficiaries this project will:
- provide a series of engagement strategies to increase public awareness of the issues generated by the Arab Spring for the "Western" policy and demonstrate how it affects national security in the UK and similar states.
- Provide a skills base in CAQDAS, beyond academia, that has a proven track record of providing core and advanced research skills that benefit research well beyond the purview of the research project's core focus.
To raise public awareness, a documentary will be made that makes this research tangible and accessible to audiences beyond academia. This will be combined with updates through a facebook page and my existing twitter account. The training of skilled people beyond academia will be facilitated through the "how to use CAQDAS" CD Rom and workbook.
Overall this research project is on an important and timely subject, will employ innovative research methods on the international stage, maximise its impact across disciplines and build my own skills that will strengthen my ability to carry out important research of benefit to society in the future.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Oz Hassan (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Allen A
(2022)
Developing a well-received pre-matriculation program: the evolution of MedFIT.
in Discover education
Croft S
(2015)
Why the Social Sciences Matter
Hassan O
(2020)
Artificial Intelligence, Neom and Saudi Arabia's Economic Diversification from Oil and Gas
in The Political Quarterly
Hassan O
(2020)
Crisis, narratives, and the construction of US-Middle East relations: continuity and change in world history and Trump's America First
in Global Affairs
Hassan O
(2020)
Trump's low conceptual complexity leadership and the vanishing 'unpredictability doctrine'
in Cambridge Review of International Affairs
Hassan O
(2015)
Constructivist-Institutionalism and the Invasion of Iraq: Crisis, Learning and the National Interest
in Horizons in Humanities and Social Sciences: An International Refereed Journal
Hassan O
(2017)
Trump, Islamophobia and US-Middle East relations
in Critical Studies on Security
Hassan O
(2015)
Political security: from the 1990s to the Arab Spring
in Contemporary Politics
Hassan O
(2019)
The evolution of the European Union's failed approach to Afghanistan
in European Security
Hassan O
(2015)
Undermining the transatlantic democracy agenda? The Arab Spring and Saudi Arabia's counteracting democracy strategy
in Democratization
| Description | This research has made significant advances in understanding how the US and EU have engaged with the Middle East and North Africa following the Arab Awakening. The research has identified that 1) the US and the EU balance their external approaches to democracy and security in the Middle East and North Africa through the lens of a "neoliberal-security paradigm". This policy seeks to promote a democratic transition in the long-term whilst also allowing transatlantic elites to pursue more immediate security interests in counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation cooperation, the implementation of the Arab-Israeli peace treaty, and migration amongst other interests. Rather than abandoning this approach in the post-revolutionary environment, the transatlantic approach has continued on this path even as it has faced considerable "push-back". 2) Within the context of the Egyptian case study, it was discovered that this approach combined with foreign aid altered internal military incentives in Egypt, which complicated the post-revolutionary environment. The research termed this, "the $74 billion problem" that has created an Egyptian-Military-industrial-commercial complex that threatens the likelihood of any democratic transition in the country for the foreseeable future. 3) Within the context of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia case study, it was argued that Saudi Arabia was pushing back against the transatlantic approach, but this was not to challenge "democracy" per say, nor due to religious doctrine, but rather because of the way Saudi foreign policy elites desire to secure a) the maintenance of the House of Saud; b) the preservation of security and order within Saudi Arabia; c) the possibility of an alternative Islamic model of state emerging in the region; and d) containing Iranian influence. With closer scrutiny, what emerges is a multifaceted picture of Saudi Arabia adopting country specific responses to the Arab awakening. 4) With regards to the Moroccan case study, it was discovered that increasingly the political dissent has moved into socio-cultural spaces making confrontation with the monarchy less pronounced and more sporadic. These findings highlight that the Middle East and North Africa is on a downward trajectory of spiralling violence and the US and the EU have been ill equipped intellectually to deal with the post-Arab Awakening environment. This has become coupled with a more inwardly looking approach and less willingness to act in the region. Indeed, as neoliberalism is becoming increasingly challenged by populism at home and abroad, elites have yet to rise to the challenge of these critical junctures. |
| Exploitation Route | I will continue to take this research forward by disseminating it within academic, policy-maker and public spheres. Within the academy this will include the continued publication of results that provide an alternative framing to the "Democracy vs. Interests" debate. This has been a successful strategy evidenced by the significant readership of the articles already produced as a result of this research funding. With policymakers, I will continue to build on the extensive relationships I have developed throughout the research-funding period, and continue to offer my expertise and knowledge to select committees and requests from the policymaking community. This will build on the project's existing track record of providing written evidence for parliamentary reports and oral evidence to policy makers directly in the UK, US and EU. To raise public awareness, I will continue in my efforts to provide talks and disseminate the knowledge produced under this research funding to written and broadcast media. |
| Sectors | Government, Democracy and Justice,Security and Diplomacy |
| URL | http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/people/hassan/publications/ |
| Description | A fundamental part of this project's impact strategy has been to share his knowledge of US and EU foreign and security policy in the Middle East and North Africa with policy-makers to shape the manner in which they understand and react to the Arab Spring. This has involved multiple meetings and workshops with policy-makers in Brussels, Cairo, London, and Washington D.C. In addition to these meetings, however, there was an emphasis placed on fostering regional dialogue around the issues of democracy promotion and national security. Whilst it is often difficult to demonstrate the impact of such meetings, the project has provided demonstrable results. Most notably, this emerged from evidence supplied to the House of Common's Foreign Affairs Select Committee (HOCFASC). This was then published (Ev W35) and cited three times in the HOCFASC report on 'The UK's Response to Extremism and Political Instability in North and West Africa' (see reference notes 10, 12 and 46). With regards to references 10 and 12, they fell with the reports section 13 on the role of Religion in the Region, and the following paragraph was produced by the HOCFASC directly based on the evidence supplied: "These movements do not necessarily preach violent jihad but concerns have been expressed that they can amount to a gateway into even more extreme belief and activity. We noted evidence during the inquiry that some of these groups have become adept at spreading their beliefs by linking their hardline theology to the provision of practical assistance, often in areas where the state is failing in its duty to provide basic goods and services to ordinary people. We also heard evidence that many of these groups seek to spread a false narrative, increasingly by use of modern media, that their values and beliefs are under attack from Western interests and their local proxies, and that ordinary Muslims are threatened. Ministers and officials have assented to the proposition that the UK and other Western aid-providers are in "a battle for hearts and minds" with these movements in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It was therefore somewhat concerning to hear that the UK Government has no current programme to monitor their spread within the region, and the impact it is having". In addition to this sections 25 & 26 of the report, on the Link with Terrorism and Extremism, cite the evidence supplied as footnote 46, stating the following paragraphs: "We have taken some time to set the scene in this way in order to make two related points that we consider to be fundamental, and to precede the more detailed discussion of terrorism and extremism that takes up the rest of this report. The first is that terrorism has begun to thrive in the region in large part because the environmental conditions for its growth appear to be near perfect. In the longer term, the goal should be to address those conditions." "To put this idea in context, the evidence we gathered during our inquiry indicates that the terrorist groups we discuss later in this report-groups such as AQIM, MUJAO and Boko Haram-comprise a jumble of three main mindsets united around a common revolutionary cause. The cause was summarised by one of our witnesses as a "revolt from the margins"; a religiously-inspired rebellion against a corrupt, unjust and sinful status quo, whilst the mindsets comprise those of the ideologue, the gangster, and the disaffected. Many of our witnesses considered that the key to addressing terrorism in the long-term was to focus on the disaffected, as it was they who could most easily be prised away from the cause. The ranks of the disaffected primarily comprise under-employed young men who are likely to have become attached to terrorist groups through a mixture of frustration, social pressure and poverty. One of our witnesses referred to young men in northern Nigeria being "pretty biddable to anyone who has got $2 a head in their pocket and wants to cause trouble" whilst a Parliamentarian in northern Mali told us of how terrorists lured youths into the cause by offering them free jeeps for smuggling. Our witnesses stressed that many of these young men could be won back over to the mainstream if it was shown that that it could offer a better alternative. This might not wholly neutralise such groups-an ongoing security response would still be required-but it would significantly reduce their power and reach". In May 2014 the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs issued a formal Government Response to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs report to Parliament. This specifically responded to the Link with Terrorism and Extremism section that the evidence from this project had informed, and was the basis of it conclusions and recommendations. "Addressing terrorism in the Western Sahel-Sahara region comprehensively means addressing the environmental conditions that are allowing it to grow: poverty and inequality, corruption and mis-governance, the pressure of fast-growing populations on depleting natural resources, insufficient cross-border co-operation, and the spread of extremist ideology. This is a huge task requiring international co-operation across a number of disciplines. We see signs that development and investment challenges are beginning to be addressed, but are concerned that co-operation on security matters should not be neglected. The Government agrees that a holistic approach to tackling the problems that face the Western Sahel-Sahara region is needed. International co-ordination is essential and security co-operation an important element of this. That is why the UK supports the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) and the EU Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel, both of which seek to harness the combined resources of the international community to tackle the wide range of challenges facing the Sahel ..." "We recognise that the UK Government has sought to secure international cooperation, for instance through the communiqué agreed at the 2013 G8 summit. We recommend that the UK Government, in its response to this report, outlines how it proposes to maintain momentum on this issue over the remainder of this Parliament, particularly in relation to security and intelligence co-operation." Accordingly, there is a demonstrable record of impact from the research carried out under this project, the submission of evidence Ev W35, it use and citation in the report, the government response and the adoption of the government's conclusions and recommendations. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Security and Diplomacy |
| Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | Artificial Intelligence |
| Geographic Reach | North America |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://nsiteam.com/social/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/AI-China-Russia-Global-WP_FINAL.pdf |
| Description | FCO US-Iran Working Group |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Description | House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Report: The UK's response to extremism and instability in North and West Africa |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | The research was cited in the report on three occasions - see footnotes 10, 12 & 46. These points directly inform the findings and recommendations in paragraphs 29 & 30 which state that: "29. Addressing terrorism in the Western Sahel-Sahara region comprehensively means addressing the environmental conditions that are allowing it to grow: poverty and inequality, corruption and mis-governance, the pressure of fast-growing populations on depleting natural resources, insufficient cross-border co-operation, and the spread of extremist ideology. This is a huge task requiring international co-operation across a number of disciplines. We see signs that development and investment challenges are beginning to be addressed, but are concerned that co-operation on security matters should not be neglected." "30. We recognise that the UK Government has sought to secure international co- operation, for instance through the communiqué agreed at the 2013 G8 summit. We recommend that the UK Government, in its response to this report, outlines how it proposes to maintain momentum on this issue over the remainder of this Parliament, particularly in relation to security and intelligence co-operation." Notably the Government response to this can be found here (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/313859/40581_Cm_8861_accessible.pdf) and includes the following direct response to the concerned paragraphs outlined above in the report: Paragraph 29 response: "The Government agrees that a holistic approach to tackling the problems that face the Western Sahel-Sahara region is needed. International co-ordination is essential and security co-operation an important element of this. That is why the UK supports the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) and the EU Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel, both of which seek to harness the combined resources of the international community to tackle the wide range of challenges facing the Sahel. Examples of security co-operation, where the UK is contributing, include the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the various EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions in Mali, Niger and Libya. In West Africa, the National Crime Agency's (NCA) regional manager is regional co ordinator for an EU project aimed at weakening the capacity of organised crime to traffic cocaine and heroin to and within the EU. Home Office and NCA are active in the G8 West Africa Transnational Organised Crime Group and used the UK's Chairmanship in 2013 to press for closer international co-operation on this issue, including increased support for ECOWAS in implementation of the West Africa Praia ?? Plan to combat drug trafficking and organised crime in the region. Other international work includes the regional security training exercise Operation Flintlock involving 16 countries from Africa and outside the continent, including the UK, which fosters regional co-operation to support Counter Terrorism (CT) and stabilisation activities in North and West Africa. The most recent exercise was held in Niger in February 2014. Together with Denmark, the UK is funding, through the Africa Conflict Pool Programme (ACPP), a conflict prevention and border security capacity building project in the Niger/Mali/Burkina Faso region. Its purpose is to build greater capacity in local communities and government bodies to work together to reduce armed violence in the shared 'Gourma' border area." Paragraph 30 response: "The Government has worked to translate the Lough Erne Communiqué language on combating terrorism into practical activity. For instance we have held high-level discussions with G8 partners directly and through the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum which has taken forward specific initiatives in the Sahel-Sahara region. The UK has supported a number of GCTF workshops to improve information sharing, and coordination of CT efforts in the region in 2014. The Government will continue to pursue initiatives begun at Lough Erne for the remainder of this Parliament and beyond. A wide range of government departments have regular exchanges with partners on security and intelligence matters. This co-operation takes place in a number of multilateral and bilateral arenas as well as in the region, through exercises such as Operation Flintlock and the EU and UN programmes. As mentioned above, the Government believes security co-operation is, and will continue to be, essential to tackling the problems facing the region." In addition to this, the findings of the report were debated at Westminster Hall: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140703/halltext/140703h0001.htm |
| URL | http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee... |
| Description | MA/PhD Advanced Qualitative Research Skills Training |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Participation in FCO Roundtable on the UK approach to the ENP |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | The FCO's Human Rights work in 2013 |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee... |
| Description | US Pentagon SMA Technical Lecture Series Participation |
| Geographic Reach | North America |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Title | CAQDAS to Artificial Intelligence Textual Analysis |
| Description | Having completed an investigation into the use of AI platforms on textual analysis and visualisation, I have developed a new approach to data analysis that exploits the functions of Microsofts Azure platform. This has enhanced my previous techniques of using CAQDAS and increased the speed and processes involved. Subsequent to this initial improvement, I have developed techniques for qualitative data mining - which has expanded the efficiency and resources available for CAQDAS approaches. It also allows data visualisations of big qualitative datasets, which are being used within my forthcoming publications. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | 1) This enhances the speed at which research can be done. 2) It allows for patterns in large data sets to be identified and exploited. 3) It provides the basis for creating visualisations and looking a data differently. |
| Title | Obama administration foreign and security speeches: 2009 to 2013 |
| Description | This data collection consisted of 6025 speeches and documents taken from the Obama administration's official websites from 2009 to 2013 covering all aspects of foreign and security policy. Data is organised by date (Year, Month, Day) of origin from January 2009 to December 2013. This is specifically designed to make the material accessible for computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Thus far it has been viewed 56 times. |
| URL | https://dx.doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-852391 |
| Description | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |
| Organisation | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | As part of this grant I have developed an ongoing relationship with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington DC, which is ranked as the third most influential foreign policy think tank in the world |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | 15 Media Interest (China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine) Iranian nuclear posturing at Geneva. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was part of an ongoing series of press requests for the magazine. I received further press requests for information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/ |
| Description | 2015 USFP Working Group City University Panel Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I delivered a presentation on US and EU policy within the context of the new political dynamics in the Middle East to the BISA USFP working group at City University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.us-foreign-policy.com/#!programme/cb6k |
| Description | All Party Parliamentary Group Invitation - Europe's role in Bringing Peace to the Middle East? - House of commons Jubilee Room |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The talk sparked considerable discussion and generated further questions. It has in the short term led to further invitations to share my expertise both nationally and internationally. After my talk I was invited to further discussions with Members of Parliament and the Lords |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | BBC Warwickshire and Coventry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Contacted for background notes by BBC Coventry and Warwickshire news story N/A |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | BRISMES Conference presentation of ESRC research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I presented my work on Saudi Arabian Foreign Policy and its conflicting nature with US and EU policy to the BRISMES conference to an audience of 62 members. This sparked considerable discussion with policy makers in the audience and led to further engagement with the FCO Middle East and North Africa Directorate. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://brismes2015.com/panel-5/ |
| Description | Channel NewsAsia (CNA) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 10 October 2013: TV news appearances Channel NewsAsia (CNA) - covers 24 countries in Asia, the Middle East and Australia. I was interviewed about my research by TV news Channel NewsAsia (CNA) - which covers 24 countries in Asia, the Middle East and Australia. I was interviewed about my research by TV news Channel NewsAsia (CNA) - which covers 24 countries in Asia, the Middle East and Australia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 7 November 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on US approach to the Middle East and Kerry's tour of the region. 7 November 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on US approach to the Middle East and Kerry's tour of the region. 7 November 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on US approach to the Middle East and Kerry's tour of the region. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/ |
| Description | China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 18 October 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on North African Terrorism. 18 October 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on North African Terrorism. 18 October 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on North African Terrorism. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/ |
| Description | China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 15 November 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on Iranian nuclear posturing at Geneva. 15 November 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on Iranian nuclear posturing at Geneva. 15 November 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on Iranian nuclear posturing at Geneva. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/ |
| Description | China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine -Iran Deal |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 27 November 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on Iranian nuclear deal success. 27 November 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on Iranian nuclear deal success. 27 November 2013: China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine (http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/) - commentary on Iranian nuclear deal success. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/ |
| Description | College of Europe Talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 14 January 2013 - Talk about the project at the College of Europe -Warsaw Poland N/A |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://vimeo.com/59390753 |
| Description | EISA paper presentation (Sicily) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I delivered some of my preliminary ESRC project result at the European International Studies Association Conference. This resulted in some interest and follow up after the conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.paneuropeanconference.org/2016/ |
| Description | Engagement with Government Office for Science on Terrorism and Economic Security |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | I was asked to supply information regarding the economic impact of terrorism. The impact of this activity was highlighting the lack of current research in this area within the UK, and the urgent need for more studies and analysis to be conducted to better inform policymakers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Extremism and political instability in North and West Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Written evidence from Dr Oz Hassan & Dr Elizabeth Iskander Monier, Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmfaff/writev/extremism/m05.htm Impact was publication of evidence and use to inform committee questions to government |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmfaff/writev/extremism/m05.htm |
| Description | German Marshall Fund Invitation & Talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In February 2015 I provided a high level closed door talk at the German Marshall Fund in Washington D.C. The talk was on Transatlantic democracy promotion in the Middle East four years after the Arab Spring. Following this talk, and through developing my pathway to impact, I was invited to join the U.S. Pentagon's Technical Lecture Series as an ongoing contributor. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Globalisation and American Grand Strategy in a Time of Austerity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 16-18 September 2013 I organised the US foreign policy working group conference. With 120 delegates, this was the biggest in its history and the biggest conference of its type in Europe. As part of this, and in line with my project we had Ambassador John D. Negroponte as the keynote speaker, along with many other distinguished guest. Since the conference, the US foreign policy working group has been able to attract a much wider range of participants and generate greater levels of revenue. As such, it has significantly raised the profile of scholarship on U.S. foreign policy in the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/ias/current/vacationschool/usa_foreign_policy_conference_201... |
| Description | Huffington Post Live |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 27 December 2013: Live Talk on Huffington Post Live talking about 2014 http://huff.lv/1kMAhWd |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://huff.lv/1kMAhWd |
| Description | Interview with Sunday Express |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | I was interviewed by the Sunday Express regarding the hostage situation in Libya N/A |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/373538 |
| Description | La Razon Spanish news interview. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Interviewed about my research by the Spanish newspaper La Razon. I was interviewed by the Spanish Newspaper La Razon, and an article was subsequently published on the content provided. I was interviewed by the Spanish Newspaper La Razon, and an article was subsequently published on the content provided. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Media Consultation - RAW production company (BAFTA winning Documentary Series) on NED |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | I was asked to consult on my understanding and research findings on the National Endowment for Democracy with the RAW production company (BAFTA winning Documentary Series). TBC |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Media Interest - China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine - Geneva II Process and Syria conflict. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Requests for further information N/A |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/ |
| Description | Media Interest - China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine - Syrian Election |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Further media requests N/A |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/ |
| Description | Media Interest - China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine - US approach to Iraq and Syria. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | N/A Further media requests |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/ |
| Description | Media Request - China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine - Iranian nuclear deal |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Further Media Requests N/A |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/ |
| Description | Media Request - China Sanlian Lifeweek Magazine - Sisi and Authoritarianism. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | N/A Further media requests |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.lifeweek.com.cn/ |
| Description | Media Request - Daily Mail - ISIS and the murder of James Foley in Iraq |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | I received a media request from the Daily Mail to go through a letter received by James Foely's family, and express my expertise on if the killer could be identified and what the discourse in the text implied. As such, this information was used to shape the reporters knowledge on the issue. A press article was released, but I was not cited. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2732034/Ranting-email-sent-James-Foley-s-parents-written-wor... |
| Description | Media Request - OZY magazine - Saudi Arabia and Democracy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | N/A Further Media requests |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.ozy.com/rising-stars-and-provocateurs/saudi-arabias-twitter-whistleblower/33635 |
| Description | Press Release and Media Engagement - Europe, the Arab Spring and ISIS - Monocle 24; RTE.ie; Russia Today; FRANCE 24; British Services Broadcasting; ABC Radio |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | In June 2014, I released a press release countering a statement made by the UK Foreign Secretary on the threat from ISIS in Iraq and Syria. This was a direct result of my research highlighting the threat this group posed back in 2013. As a result I received a vast amount of press coverage and requests for information from Monocle 24; RTE.ie; Russia Today; FRANCE 24; British Services Broadcasting; ABC Radio. As a result of this press coverage, and my reputation in this area I was invited to present at the House of Commons later in the year on Europe's role in bringing stability to the Middle East. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Russia Today |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 31 October 2013: Russia Today 30 minute talk show on the channels flagship programme "Crosstalk" -- http://rt.com/shows/crosstalk/ -- On the Arab Spring. 31 October 2013: Russia Today 30 minute talk show on the channels flagship programme "Crosstalk" -- http://rt.com/shows/crosstalk/ -- On the Arab Spring. 31 October 2013: Russia Today 30 minute talk show on the channels flagship programme "Crosstalk" -- http://rt.com/shows/crosstalk/ -- On the Arab Spring. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://rt.com/shows/crosstalk/ |
| Description | Russia in Syria on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire radio talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I appeared on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire flagship Drive Time programme to discuss Russian involvement in Syria and the complications this adds to resolving the wider conflicts in the MENA. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | TRT TURK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 21 November 2013: News program "Global Vision" on the "TRT TURK" television channel - talk on US Afghanistan relations. 21 November 2013: News program "Global Vision" on the "TRT TURK" television channel - talk on US Afghanistan relations. 21 November 2013: News program "Global Vision" on the "TRT TURK" television channel - talk on US Afghanistan relations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Talk at workshop organised by Kings College London and the FCO. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | I presented on the current crisis in Egypt's political transition, and as a result was invited to provide further discussion at both the Foreign and Common Wealth Office and the House of Commons. After my talk I was invited to share further information with members of the House of Commons and the FCO. The organisers also put together a policy report from the discussion and findings of the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/europeanstudies/newsrecords/2013-14/shardest.aspx |
| Description | Times Newspaper Coverage |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | 10 August 2013: Project research mentioned in the Times Newspaper and Online (http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/books/non-fiction/article3838567.ece) Some of my preliminary research findings were mentioned, as they were included in the BBC Chief Middle East Correspondents new book on the Arab Spring. Some of my preliminary research findings were mentioned, as they were included in the BBC Chief Middle East Correspondents new book on the Arab Spring. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/books/non-fiction/article3838567.ece |
| Description | US/Iran Nuclear deal talk at FCO (London) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | I delivered a talk to 9 senior policymakers at the FCO as part of a working group member on the US-Iran Nuclear Agreement assessment. As a result of these discussions I have been invited to a two day workshop event in Chatham House in 2016 on the same issue. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |