This essay consists of a case study of Tunisian democratization process which came along the events of the Arab spring in 2010-11. The aim of the research is to understand why Tunisia took a distinctive path during the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa in 2010-11. The case study is within the theoretical framework of traditional democratization literature. These theories are modernization theory, historical sociology and the agency approach. Using the methodological approach of qualitative content analysis, I have analyzed academic articles and come to the conclusion that seven factors played a crucial role for democracy in Tunisia: (1) increased level of education, (2) increased level of information, (3) existing formal and informal organizations in the civil society, (4) transnational power structure, (5) the size of coercive apparatus, (6) compromises among political actors and (7) existing political community. I argue that both the structure of the civil society and the political foundation in Tunisia played a vital role for the distinctive path it took towards democracy.

This thesis examines variation within the microlith industries of the Later Stone Age (LSA) of Northwest Africa, around the time of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) until the onset of the Holocene, between ∼25 - 11.5 ka. The traditionally held view is that whilst there is variation amongst the lithic assemblages, this can all be accommodated by a single definable industry, known as the Iberomaurusian. This thesis indicates an alternative scenario. Based on the typo-technological analysis of 16,689 lithic artefacts recovered from recent excavations at the site of Grotte des Pigeons (Taforalt, Morocco) and the re-analysis of published data using the multivariate statistical approach of correspondence analysis (CA), this thesis shows that there was much greater variation than previously proposed within the Pleistocene LSA. This thesis indicates that the LSA industries can be sub-divided into four chronologically distinct variants, an Initial LSA time-coincident with the first appearance of microlithic technology from ∼25 ka and lasting up until Heinrich event 2, a succeeding Early LSA at ∼22 ka that continued until Heinrich event 1, a Middle LSA marking a shift in technologies around this event at ∼16 ka, and an Upper LSA occurring with the climatic amelioration of the Bølling-Allørod at ∼14.5 ka. The proposed chronological model provides a new framework for categorising variation within the LSA, which is a necessary pre-requisite for potential future research addressing wider anthropological and archaeological issues, such as reasons for shifts in subsistence and settlement.

During the Early Cretaceous a regionally extensive cover of dominantly siliciclastic sediments was deposited across the North African continental margin. Historically, these siliciclastic sediments have been considered to be a relatively homogeneous lithofacies known as the ‘Nubian sandstone’. This lithofacies is generally described as coarse grained, cross-bedded sandstone and is ascribed to a braided fluvial depositional environment. However, there have been few detailed sedimentological studies carried out on these sediments. Furthermore, the stratigraphic relationships between regional Early Cretaceous continental strata in different North African countries has only briefly been described and has only locally been related to equivalent marine deposits. In order to address these problems, this study focuses upon two main approaches. Firstly, outcrop analysis of the Messak Fm (SW Libya) and the Sidi Aïch Fm (C Tunisia) details and contrasts the lithofacies variability of Early Cretaceous siliciclastic sediments in North Africa. Secondly, a unified stratigraphic framework is erected for the Early Cretaceous of Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt and the palaeogeographic evolution is reconstructed. Detailed sedimentological investigation of the Messak Fm has identified greater variation in lithofacies and depositional processes than was previously recognised. By lithostratigraphic correlation with outcrops in northwest Libya, we show a fluvial system transported sediment northward into a wide fluvio-paralic basin covering western Libya. Several episodes of marine influence culminating in a distinct and regionally correlatable transgressive episode are identified. This is the first time that marine influence has been identified in the Murzuq Basin and increases the maximum known extent of marine transgression in the Early Cretaceous of Libya by 600km. The sedimentology of the Messak Fm is contrasted with the sandstone dominated Sidi Aïch Fm which, although showing similar lithofacies, was deposited in a marginal-shallow marine environment.Building upon previous reviews and new insights from the Messak Fm and Sidi Aïch Fm, a synthesis and reinterpretation of the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of sediments and depositional environments in this region throughout the Early Cretaceous is presented. During the Berriasian-Barremian, the North African platform coastline was dominated by a dry subtropical climate with moderate vegetation. The interior of the platform experienced a Savannah-like semi-arid climate with limited vegetation and palaeosol development but was crossed by extensive fluvial networks draining the equatorial tropics. During the Late Barremian-Early Aptian, simultaneous aridification and marine transgression led to a decreased detrital flux to the marginal basins and widespread deposition of marine carbonates and mudstones. During the Late Aptian-Albian the platform returned to a humid tropical climate. Widespread coarse grained fluvial sediments mark the base of this sequence and palaeosols occur locally. The results of this work have implications for the development and controls of large-scale fluvio-paralic systems and illustrate the fact that, in a limited accommodation epicontinental setting, relative sea-level may be the key control on sedimentation and depositional processes for many hundreds of kilometres inland of the lowstand coastline.

The thesis focuses on the progress of the oil economies in MENA since 90's. Due to the outbreak of unrest in the Arab world, the thesis deals with the political area and causes leading to the Arab Spring. The importance of oil in the world economy and it's discovery in the Middle East and North Africa increased strategic importance of this region. Arab countries have for the past three decades undergone significant social, economic and political transformation and their oil wealth played a major role in this transformation. The first chapter focuses on economic theory dealing with raw materials and their impact on economic growth of countries. The next chapter focuses on presentation of the MENA region. The third chapter deals with the development of four selected countries - Algeria, Egypt, Syria and Libya since 90's, the impact of the global financial crisis on Arab countries and the Arab Spring.

O presente trabalho procura a articulaçao das produções de cerâmicas de iluminação romanas tipo discus que estiveram em circulação no Orbis Romanorum durante o séculos II e III EC. A análise comparativa dessas produções tendo inerente a sistematização de dados físico-químicos das argilas de confecção dos objetos pode prover interessantes inferências sobre os locais de fabrico, relações de ruptura e continuidade de estilos e sistemas tecnológicos, bem como fomentar dados para o entendimento da co-constituição do espaço e identidade cultural dos grupos sociais que se utilizaram desses artefatos na paisagem / This PhD dissertation studies the production and distribution of Roman oil lamps made of clay in the Orbis Romanorum during 2nd and 3nd CE by means of thin-section analysis and comparative research, in order to identify workshops in the Levant. The results are compared with modes of production and distribution of Roman oil lamps of North African workshops, against their social and economic implications. This comparative research seeks trends of continuity, discontinuity and change of style and technology in order to foster our understanding of space and cultural identity definition amongst social groups that used clay lamps as social and mental marker

The theme of this study will be the Arab Spring and democratization. The impact of the Arab Spring has, in one form or another, extended to almost all countries of the Arab region in the MENA. However, this paper will be limited to compare two countries, in particular, Tunisia and Egypt by analyzing their democratization and examining how two similar states achieved widely differing outcomes in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. Tunisia and Egypt are both predominantly Muslim-majority, Arabic-speaking countries, and both of them were subject to authoritarian regimes (Ben Ali in Tunisia, Mubarak in Egypt) before the outbreak of the Arab Spring. After the first wave of uprisings, Tunisia made remarkable progress in the transition to democracy, but in Egypt, the situation altered when the army overthrew a democratically elected president, and then the country underwent a counter-revolution, bringing it back to square one (i.e. the yoke of tyranny). The four variables that this research will revolve around as an explanation and possible analysis of the secret of this difference in outcomes between these two countries are the role of the international and regional community, the position of the military and armed forces in the state, the role of religious political parties, and the effectiveness of civil society organizations across the country. After reviewing all four variables, the final result of the paper suggests that the military, religious, international, and civil society variables are the strongest indicators of the reason for the great difference in the democratic progress in both countries. This paper facilitates an understanding of democratization by identifying the critical factors in determining whether a nation's transition from dictatorship to democracy will be successful or not. Key Words: the Middle East and North Africa, Arab Spring, Democratization, Egypt, Tunisia.

Illegal immigration is one of the current problems that occupy the European agenda. With the beginning of the revolutionary movements called 'the Arab Spring' in the Middle East and North Africa, Europe has faced massive uncontrolled migration waves. In this period, the asylum applications in European countries have broken a record in the history of the EU. This situation has impelled the European Union and its member states to take certain measures. However, political disagreements were observed over some of the measures taken by the EU. In light of these developments, this thesis will focus on illegal immigration movements from the Middle East and North Africa region to Europe right after the beginning of the Arab Spring (in other words from at the end of 2010 to now). In this context, this master's thesis aims to give the immigration and asylum policies of the European Union aiming to prevent these illegal immigration waves and to evaluate the political positions of the Visegrad countries during this period.

This study investigates China's international trade with North Africa from a small-sized tradersperspective, while referring to the Belt and Road Initiative’s (B&R) practical influence.Further, the research focuses on how the traders perceive the challenges related to trade withNorth African countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, etc. Moreover, the study explores thedifferent challenges related to international trade, international business, and at last, psychicand cultural distance with consideration to prior research. A qualitative approach was adoptedin order to answer the research question for this study. The approach consisted of a series of indepth interviews that were conducted with traders within different industries. The data collection process focused on gaining insights related to the trade challenges in an attempt to distinguish between their nature. The findings point out that the challenges perceived are four-fold: Trade Incentives, Business Development, Government Intervention and Culture’s Influence. Meanwhile, the impact of B&R is comprehended as a catalyst for bilateral economic development.

This masters thesis discusses Tunisian civil society’s advocacy for decentralization and local elections throughout 2018 on Facebook, while considering age and gender dynamics. Existing studies provide an overview of the decentralization reform process in Tunisia and other countries in the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region. This research sheds new light on these issues by addressing decentralization from a Communication for Development (C4D) perspective. The subject of this masters thesis is situated in a threefold context: First, in the context of broader debates on the evolution of decentralization approaches in the decentralization field, second, in the Tunisian context of the decentralization reform process, and finally, in the context of youth participation in public debate and elections in Tunisia. The case study focuses on Mourakiboun (The Observers), considered among the most active Civil society organizations advocating for decentralization and local elections. This research draws on existing research related to social media as a public sphere, social media for development, as well as the concepts of advocacy and civic engagement. This paper analyses Mourakiboun’s advocacy for decentralization and local elections throughout 2018 based on quantitative content analysis of its Facebook page statistics, with a focus on five specific periods. Qualitative surveys for Facebook users, as well as in-depth interviews with Mourakiboun’s representatives, complement the first research method by understanding opinion on this advocacy from involved stakeholders. The main findings of this paper show a gap between active interaction of Facebook users on Mourakiboun’s page, especially 18-34 years old, on Facebook posts related to decentralization and local elections and their participation on May 6th, 2018 local elections. They also show a weak interest of 13-17-year-olds in posts related to decentralization and local elections, and that male users are more engaged with the page than their female counterparts. Additionally, the analysis of Facebook stats highlights the active engagement of users with posts promoting Mourakiboun’s smartphone Apps. Finally, the research findings are also detailed for each of the five periods.

As of April 2019, there were over 650,000 Syrian refugees residing in Jordan. A combination of economic, social, and moral imperatives related to the Syrian civil war have led to a threefold increase in early marriage rates. Syrian women and girls, particularly those who marry under the age of 18, are at significant risk of sexual and gender-based violence and unwanted pregnancy. In this context, emergency contraception could play a significant role in supporting Syrian refugees prevent pregnancy. In 2016-2017 we conducted six focus group discussions with Syrian women and girls. We conducted 100 structured interviews with pharmacists in different areas of the country regarding EC provision practices. We also interviewed 13 key informants about available sexual and reproductive health services, including EC, and conducting six focus group discussions with Syrian child brides. We audio-recorded and translated all discussions from Arabic to English and conducted content and thematic analyses using deductive and inductive techniques. Most women and girls became pregnant during the first six months of their marriage, face pressure to become pregnant repeatedly, and experience or had experienced physical and sexual violence. None of the women knew of EC but all expressed curiosity and excitement about this method of pregnancy prevention. Our findings suggest that Syrian women and girls in early marriages have significant unmet contraceptive needs. Child brides, specifically those under the age of 15, reported rarely using any type of contraception, largely due to familial pressures to prove fertility. As a result of this research we undertook a multipronged initiative to respond to the sexual and reproductive health, as well as psychosocial needs, of Syrian child brides.