https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120046 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:47:33 GMT 2026-04-27T08:47:33Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121759 Title: Exploring host-state consent in counterterrorism operations : the case study of French operation Barkhane in Mali Abstract: “Since this morning, […] [the] redeployment has been effective with the departure from Mali of the last French soldier of Operation Barkhane”. These were the words of the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron, on August 15, 2022, marking the official end of the second French Counterterrorism Operation in Mali. For nearly a decade, France militarily supported Mali in the fight against jihadist terrorist armed groups affecting the country’s stability. Due to Malian President Dioncounda Traoré’s request for intervention in 2013, French Operation Serval (2013-2014) was launched. It lasted two years, and in 2014 it was replaced by Operation Barkhane (2014-2022) with a broader scope and a longer duration. While the international community has labelled Serval successful, the second operation is considered a failure. Among the reasons for this failure, observers suggest the Malian strategic shift toward Russia as the primary security provider and the transitional junta in power. However, the existing literature has not sufficiently assessed the role of host-state consent in counterterrorism operations and how it specifically affected Barkhane’s outcome. Therefore, this research answers the following question: In which ways has host-state consent impacted the outcome of French Counterterrorism Operation Barkhane? With a qualitative approach based on the case study of Mali, this thesis will unpack the volatile but essential nature of host-state consent, mainly studied in peacekeeping and absent in counterterrorism. It will also explain the existence of a nexus between host-state consent and the outcomes of counterterrorism operations. Lastly, it will discuss how the two types of host-state consent (host-government and host-population consent) influence the effectiveness of counterterrorism operations. Description: Dual Masters M.SC.CONFLICT ANALYSIS&RES. M.A. CRMS(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121759 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121712 Title: Identity in flux : tracing the rapid support forces' evolutionary path Abstract: On April 15, 2023, armed conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF finds its origins in the Janjaweed militia, one of the militia groups created under the Sudanese government’s “militia strategy” and the main perpetrator of the Darfur conflict in the early 2000s. Formative to the assembling of these militias and the perpetration of their activities was the government’s manipulation of threats which at the surface level of the conflict appeared to be on the basis of ethnicity and race. Similarly, the actions of the RSF have been considered with this narrative of ethnic based conflict. This paper will look at the factors that have historically influenced the formation of militia identity as well as the unique factors that have contributed to the evolution of the RSF’s identity through historical process tracing as well as the assessment of the RSF’s self-descriptions and media statements. This paper will show potential factors that have shifted the boundaries of identity through the legitimization of their institution and an intergroup struggle for power with the SAF. Description: Dual Masters M.SC.CONFLICT ANALYSIS&RES. M.A. CRMS(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121712 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121711 Title: Psychedelic influence in the United States : exploring the role of psychedelic drug policy in protecting dominant cultural values Abstract: Veteran suicide in the United States is a critical concern, demanding innovative solutions. This paper investigates psychedelic drug policy, as these substances have been revealed to be a safe and effective treatment of PTSD in veterans. The research aims to identify the conditions that led to psychedelics being placed in the most restrictive drug schedule, and the evolving conditions that led to the resurgence of research. The study draws from drug legislation, media narratives, medical research, and relevant literature, applying it in process tracing methodology. It adopts a theoretical framework rooted in corruption, morality, law, and cultural conflicts. The research finds that political motives, rather than safety or efficacy concerns, led to the criminalization of psychedelics. The analysis identifies public perception as the most potent variable. Actors responded to public perception, working to either shift or maintain social attitudes, opinions, or norms. The fundamental mechanisms in this process center on drug policy – its enactment, preservation, and reduction – serving as a means of preserving dominant ideology while disguised as altruistic actions to safeguard public health. The implications of this research suggest that the current schedule I classification of psychedelics is unfounded, given their safety profile and potential medical benefits. Veterans, in particular, stand to benefit immensely from legal access to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. The findings of clinical trials have offered hope in the battle against PTSD, potentially revealing a solution to this tragic issue. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the need for accessible and effective PTSD treatment. It reveals that the existing barriers to treatment are the remnants of a decades-old cultural conflict that instrumentalized drug policy. By raising awareness and challenging the current classification of psychedelics, this research humbly aspires to contribute to the future reduction of veteran suicide. Description: Dual Masters M.SC.CONFLICT ANALYSIS&RES. M.A. CRMS(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121711 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121706 Title: Marginalization and persistence of colonial legacies : the crisis of Arab immigrants in France Abstract: This research delves into the historical and contemporary processes of marginalization that have shaped the experiences of French Algerians, particularly within the context of identity and belonging. The research begins by examining the historical context of French Algeria, tracing the roots of power dynamics, cultural hierarchies, and identity construction that continue to influence the lives of French Algerians. It analyzes how the colonial administration employed knowledge production, ethnography, and the creation of racial and cultural hierarchies to justify its control over Algeria, setting the stage for enduring power imbalances. The study then shifts its focus to contemporary France, investigating the lived experiences of French Algerians in the realm of identity and belonging. It highlights how the legacy of colonialism, combined with postcolonial challenges, contributes to a sense of marginalization and discrimination among this community. Description: Dual Masters M.SC.CONFLICT ANALYSIS&RES. M.A. CRMS(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121706 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z