Le Laos est un pays montagneux qui présente une population multiethnique. Traditionnellement, il existe de fortes discontinuités spatiales entre populations de plaine et de montagne. Les Akha, groupe d’essarteurs de montagne, illustrent alors la différence entre une culture spatiale intimement liée à la composante montagnarde, et celle de la population majoritaire lao-thaï, établie dans des paysages rizicoles de plaine. La territorialité des ces deux groupes s’inscrit alors dans deux configurations spatiales particulières, deux territoires identitaires, qui entretenaient jusqu’ici peu de rapports. Ces deux territoires identitaires ont des fonctionnements distincts : celui des Akha est fluide, reproductible, il est un territoire-milieu ; tandis que celui des Lao-thaï est relativement fixe, plus classiquement attaché aux lieux. Aujourd’hui, ces deux territoires identitaires se trouvent dans le territoire national d’un Etat moderne qui essaye toujours de se construire, sur le modèle de l’Etat-nation. Alors que les Lao-thaï, qui exercent le pouvoir dans un régime communiste, n’avaient que peu porté d’intérêt aux espaces montagnards et à leurs populations, le contexte régional et mondial leur fait porter un regard nouveau sur cette montagne. Les défis du développement engendrent des réponses politiques qui touchent particulièrement les territoires identitaires de montagne. D’un côté, les populations montagnardes sont déplacées en plaine afin de leur offrir un accès plus facile au marché et aux structures étatiques, et de l’autre, les espaces montagnards sont de plus en plus exploités pour leurs ressources. La création d’une nation semble être à ce prix. / Laos is a mountainous country with a multiethnic population. Traditionally, there are well-defined spatial discontinuities between those living on the plains and those living in the mountains. The Akha, a group that practices slash’ and burn techniques, illustrates the difference between a spatial culture intimately linked to their mountain roots, and that of the majority Lao-Thai, established in the rice paddies of the plains. The territoriality of these two groups is revealed by two particular spatial configurations, two territorial identities, which have little in common. The identities associated with these two territories have distinct functions: that of the Akha is fluid, reproducible, it is a territory – milieu; while that of the Lao-Thai is relatively fixed, classically attached to places. Today, the identities associated with these territories are part of a modern State, which is trying to build itself along the model of the nation-state. At the same time, the Lao-Thai, who hold the power in the communist regime, have barely considered the mountain regions. The challenges of development give rise to political answers that affect particularly the territorial identities of the mountain people. On one hand, the mountain populations are moved in order to offer easier access to markets and state structures, and on the other hand, the mountain spaces are increasingly exploited for their resources. The creation of a nation seems to be at this developmental price.

This thesis analyzes the current economic relations between China and India in the context of their general bilateral relations. Firstly, focuses on the common historical experience of the two countries in their bilateral relations and tries to identify the basic topics that are shaping them. It also deals with the current state of the economies of China and India. This thesis attempts to characterize current and future economic needs of both countries and their implications for the formation of economic relations. The ultimate goal is capturing the very nature of economic relations, prospects of further development and impact on the general bilateral relations.

This thesis attempts to contribute to the discussion over the problem of maritime piracy that poses a threat to maritime transport as well as international trade. The impact of maritime piracy was researched mainly in the context of Somali pirates. Currently the problem concerns other areas, which are the subject of my investigation. The thesis is focused on maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and Southeast Asia, which are the current piracy hotspots. The main goal is to identify the implications of maritime piracy and analyze its impact on international trade in the given regions.

The objective of this thesis is to provide the reader with an overview of the most important factors that have influenced the development of the India-China relations. The oldest period of mutual interaction is treated, as well as the most important Sino-Indian disputes and their impact on mutual relations. Attention is also drawn to the contemporary development in the Sino-Indian relations, marked by both lingering problems and attempts at cooperation.

The diploma thesis focuses on fast growing Asia-Pacific region, which is believed to become an important centre of the world economy in future. Thesis focuses on position of China in the region and dedicates to possibility of creation of common market. Thesis defines the region, describes the main regional groupings and analyses trade flows, capital flows, migration of labour force and science and technology cooperation in the region.

Le virus de l'influenza aviaire hautement pathogène (IAHP) de sous-type H5N1 a causé de nombreuses pertes humaines, animales et économiques à travers le monde, notamment en Asie du Sud-Est. Son potentiel pandémique est une source d'inquiétude majeure en santé publique. Au Cambodge, l'infection est enzootique, et a causé la mort de 16 personnes depuis sa première détection en 2004 dans le pays, dont 8 pour la seule année 2011. Bien que l'hypothèse de la transmission directe hôte-hôte (animal-animal ou animal-homme) soit privilégiée, de récentes études semblent clairement incriminer certains éléments constitutifs de l'environnement dans le cycle de transmission du virus. Cependant, peu de données sont actuellement disponibles sur le sujet. Le travail de cette thèse a consisté en grande partie à apporter quelques réponses aux nombreuses questions soulevées. Des méthodes de détection du virus H5N1 dans l'environnement ont été mises au point, validées, et utilisées pour la détection de virus dans des prélèvements environnementaux collectés sur des sites d'épizooties au Cambodge. Le rôle de passereaux, capturés pour la réalisation de certains rituels bouddhistes en Asie, dans la dissémination du virus aux populations aviaires et humaines, a également été étudié. En parallèle, des données importantes du mode d'évolution du virus H5N1 au sein d'hôtes aviaires, jusqu'alors inexistantes, ont été apportées par l'étude des quasi-espèces du virus. L'ensemble des résultats rassemblés dans cette thèse souligne l'importance du rôle de l'environnement dans la dissémination et la transmission du virus IAHP H5N1. / The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus, subtype H5N1, has caused important human, animal and economical and losses in all countries affected, especially in Southeast Asia. Its pandemic potential is a major public health concern. In Cambodia, the infection is enzootic, and has caused 16 human fatalities since its first detection in the country in 2004, out of which 8 occurred in 2011. Although the hypothesis of direct host-to-host (animal-to-animal or animal-to-human) transmission is commonly accepted, recent studies clearly identified some environmental components as sources for avian and/or human contamination with H5N1 virus. Nonetheless, only few data are currently available on this topic. The work presented in this thesis aimed at better describing the role of the environment in the transmission cycle of the H5N1 virus. H5N1 virus detection methods in the environment were designed, validated and used for the detection of virus in environmental samples collected during epizootic outbreaks in Cambodia. The role of the Merit Release Birds, used during some common Buddhist rituals in Asia, in the dissemination of the virus to avian and human populations was also studied. In parallel, important and novel data regarding the evolution of the H5N1 virus within avian hosts were provided by quasi-species studies. The findings described in this thesis emphasize the relevance of the role of the environment in the dissemination and transmission of the HPAI H5N1 virus.

iv ABSTRACT Over the last four decades, the People's Republic of China has modernized its armed forces and acquired the world's largest and most diverse missile arsenal. In light of Beijing's vague yet increasingly assertive stance in the region, China's A2/AD capabilities have sparked a discussion about their offensive potential and threat to the region's stability. This thesis has conducted a qualitative strategic impact of Chinese anti-access and area-denial capabilities on the offence-defence balance in East Asia. Applying Biddle's revised offence-defence theory, this thesis investigated and compared the Sino-American and Sino-Japanese balances. The analyses found that Chinese A2/AD capabilities do not have a uniform impact on the offence-defence balance in the region. Despite its offensive potential, Chinese A2/AD does not provide an effective, sustainable counter to Japan's deep, reserve-oriented force employment strategy. Even though China fields the world's largest fleet, it does not field enough principal surface ships to exploit a temporary offensive advantage. As such, any Chinese attempt to claim the Senkakus would result in a Chinese naval overstretch and create a mutually contested no man's land in the East China Sea. As for the Sino- American balance, Chinese A2/AD creates an...

History of international relations suggests that rising power brings challenges and creates unstable environment in the international system. This thesis deals with the rise of China and its implications to the East Asia region. China has experienced massive economic growth over the last few decades which is likely to influence the dynamics not only of the region, but also of the international system as a whole. There is an ongoing discussion in the academic literature regarding the rise of China. In this thesis, the offensive neorealism theory of John J, Mearsheimer is employed. This paper focuses on the region of East Asia, namely to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Since the region is heavily penetrated by the US power, its position is also discussed. The question is how China will behave when it gets more powerful and what strategies the neighbouring countries choose in order to deal with China's rising power. The theory assumes that rising great power strive to dominate its region in order to establish regional hegemony. The main aim of this thesis is to examine whether or not the aforementioned states act according to the prism of offensive neorealism.

Dissertation thesis "Temple architecture as a cultural core in Southeast Asia" presents the temple architecture of Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesian islands of Java and Bali as a cultural phenomenon which opens possibility to observe Hindu and Buddhists cultural continuity in Southeast Asia. The main focus of the work is in the culturological analysis of the temple architecture as a semiotic system - associated symbols and meanings in close relations, reflecting the ideological foundations of Hindu and Buddhist culture. This study follows the works of orientalists and anthropologists and it extends the Czech bibliography, which traditionally lacks of topics in church architecture of Southeast Asia. This study does not claim to cover the topic in a full universal view. It is guided by an effort to map the issues in culturological terms and help to a deeper understanding of cultural heritage of East Asian culture as part of the cultural heritage of mankind. Keywords: Architecture, Southeast Asia, Buddhism, Hinduism, Java, Bali, Thailand, Cambodia.

The thesis "The political transformation of Kyrgyzstan after 1991: At the crossroads between democracy and authoritarian regime" focuses on the political development of Kyrgyzstan since independence in 1991 till nowadays. The thesis analyses the key aspects of the political development of the country, with particular emphasis on the specific role of local clans in the political system of Kyrgyzstan. The other analyzed subjects are inter-ethnic and interconfessional relations, constitutional development, electoral process and the phenomenon of the fall of regimes of Askar Akayev and Kurmanbek Bakiyev as a result of the Tulip Revolution and events of 2010.