Author Archives: AUSINSpire

Women’s Rights and Islamist Parties: A Comparative Study of Egypt and Tunisia

This paper explores the rise of Islamist parties in Egypt and Tunisia, establishing a clear
connection between historical changes in the 20th century with the outcomes of the Arab Spring.
By Theyab M. Al Darmaki

The Birth of British Salafism Among the Pakistani Diaspora in Postcolonial Britain

While much of the existing literature has explored the politicization of the British Muslim identity, little research has observed the indigenization of British Salafism and its changing relationship with first, second, and third-generation British Pakistanis. Through a content analysis of peer-reviewed books, journal articles, and primary materials distributed by Muslim organizations in Britain, this paper examines the birth and appeal of British Salafism among the Pakistani diaspora in postcolonial Britain.
By Eeman Ali

K-pop: The Engine of South Korean Soft Power

By contextualizing Joseph Nye’s framework of soft power, this paper attempts to answer the question: In what ways has K-pop contributed to the generation of South Korea’s soft power? The paper focuses on K-pop bands’ roles in the national and international realm in South Korea’s exercise of soft power. Findings suggest that K-pop has played an active role in spreading South Korean culture through their songs. K-pop bands have raised awareness about contemporary issues through their collaborations with international organizations.
By Nora Almaazmi

Child Marriage in Syrian Refugee Camps

Since the Syrian conflict began in 2011, child marriage has increased as compared to the pre-conflict period, especially in Syrian refugee camps. This paper examines why child marriage has increased in the post-conflict period in Syrian refugee camps. The paper analyzes the role of factors, such as culture, honor, economics, and safety as drivers of refugee child marriage.
By Mariam Alshamsi

Double Victimization: Armenian Women in the Armenian Genocide

This research paper investigates how Armenian women faced double victimization during and after the Armenian genocide. They were first victimized by Turkish nationalists and then criticized by the Armenian establishment for hindering the Armenian community’s reformation.
By Alya Alkhajeh

Climate-Induced Migration in North Africa: A Case Study of Morocco

Climate-induced migration has become an imminent issue in the geographically diverse North African region. It is estimated that around 2.5 million people suffered climigration from the sub-Saharan regions to the coastal cities in Morocco along the Mediterranean, where the existing economic pressure is swelling up to threaten economic well-being and even social norms. Such climate-led migration is induced by water and food shortage resulting from the decline in soil fertility, salinization, desertification, and severity in temperature, especially in the sub-Saharan region. Therefore, the paper explores internal and external dimensions inducing climate change and its impact on migration in Morocco. The study uses the theory of the spillover effect to identify implications of climate-induced migration for economic, social, and political domains. It analyzes the policy actions of the Moroccan government in dealing with the Climate-induced migration. Finally, the research formulates certain policy recommendations that can help to mitigate threats of the climigration in North Africa in general and Morocco in particular.

Climate Justice: A Framework for Addressing the Global Consequences of Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most urgent transnational and transgenerational problems of our time. Although it requires global collective action, climate justice remains a “hushed- up” and untold story. This paper approaches climate change from the climate justice framework.

Coral Reefs and Climate Change in the GCC Region

The aim of this research paper is to analyze the correlation between increasing temperature and the damage caused to coral reefs, the marine ecosystem, and its impact on human health in the GCC countries.

Globalisation’s Facilitation of Environmental Violence

This paper discusses the ways globalisation relates to the topic of environmental violence by arguing that globalisation has had an undeniable role in the rise of environmental violence, which is a form of environmental activism.

INSpire Call for Papers

Our journal welcomes undergraduate research in any Humanities and Social Science discipline and welcomes interdisciplinary submissions. You can submit your paper at any time: the editors will review your submission and issue a decision within 90 days. Accepted papers will be published in the next issue, no later than within six months of submission. ToContinue reading “INSpire Call for Papers”

Head of Department’s Letter

I am delighted to introduce to you the inaugural issue of the International Studies on-line journal, INSpire.  The International Studies department is multi-disciplinary incorporating Anthropology, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology with-in a single major program.  The Department is also home to the new Psychology major allowing International Studies students to take electives in psychology.Continue reading “Head of Department’s Letter”

The Consolidation of Patriarchy in Kerala as a Consequence of British Colonial Influence

This paper examines the impact of British rule on the system of matriliny in Kerala in South India. The paper contends that British influence led to the decline of matriliny through shifting legal, economic, and social systems away from pre-colonial modes of governance, and through popularizing the patriarchal family structures.
By Ashwati Kartha

Women’s Political Representation in Lebanon: An Ongoing Struggle Amid a Consociational State and a Patriarchal Society

This paper examines the chasm between Lebanese women’s economic and educational attainments and limited political participation. It argues that the Lebanese political system is structurally inhospitable to women because of sectarian politics, clientelist networks, and patriarchal values. It recommends reform of Lebanon’s electoral law and the introduction of gender quotas.
by Natasha Nazi

‘T’ is for ‘Topak’: How the Taliban are Winning the Propaganda War

In Afghanistan, the Taliban have managed a remarkable resurgence since 2001. This paper uses content analysis of Taliban’s propaganda to argue that the insurgency’s increasingly sophisticated propaganda efforts, including the effective exploitation of dominant Pashtun and Islamic principles, have largely contributed to their resurgence.
By Rija Habib