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Do transnational ethnic linkages between third party states and disputants affect the probability of intervention? If so, how does regime type, power distribution of groups, and borders affect this decision? Do these interventions help to end interstate conflicts? Transnational ethnic linkages are an under-appreciated aspect of a state’s decision to enter international conflicts. While there is extensive research on interventions in conflicts and the role of ethnicity in civil war origination, the role of ethnic ties between potential interveners and interstate disputants remains unaccounted for (e.g. Reid 2015; Stojek and Chacha 2015; Findley and Marineau 2014; Huibregtse 2010; Saideman 2002). This is problematic when we consider the role of ethnicity in generating bias. Extant literature shows that when an intervening party has a bias toward a disputant, the intervention is typically more effective, but ethnic biases are not considered in extant literature (Block and Siegel 2011; Kydd 2006; Crescenzi, Kadera, Mitchell et al. 2011; Favretto 2009; Saideman 2001). In this dissertation, I theoretically separate conflict management from conflict intervention. This distinction is important because conflict intervention does not the need the consent of disputants and these interventions are by nature, biased. I utilize a unique triadic, multilevel dataset and a selection model to test my hypotheses. The results demonstrate that transnational ethnic linkages are an important aspect of a third party state’s decision to intervene in an interstate conflict. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Political Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester 2019. / February 6, 2019. / Conflict Intervention, Conflict Management, Ethnic Identity, International Conflict / Includes bibliographical references. / Mark Souva, Professor Directing Dissertation; Jonathan A. Grant, University Representative; Sean Ehrlich, Committee Member; Quintin Beazer, Committee Member.

Marketing strategies relies on marketing campaigns that target a variety of clients based on demographics to increase profitability through financial planning services. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the marketing strategies financial managers of financial management branch offices used to market their investment services to retiring military personnel. The targeted population comprised 5 financial managers of financial management branch offices in the northeastern region of the United States and surrounding geographical areas who used successful strategies to market investment services to retiring military personnel. Blue ocean theory, which refers to untouched markets, provided the conceptual foundation for the study. The data collection process involved semistructured face-to-face-interviews and document analysis. Data were thematically coded; using data analysis software, 2 themes emerged: the importance of marketing strategies and financial literacy. The findings of the study may contribute to positive social change by providing financial managers with a marketing strategy that may help prospective clients and owners of existing small businesses identify their investment needs, as well as increase the viability of their local communities through cause-related marketing efforts.

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Serbia occupies a central position in Southeast Europe in a geographical as well as political sense and events and developments within its borders throughout the last century have had a major effect on neighboring nations. Numerous proposed initiatives in the region seek to strengthen the institutional framework for local governance, and to build its capacities and abilities to foster a competitive and attractive business environment for investors. Municipal-focused studies are scarce at best and the present research seeks to place an emphasis on the ability of local governments to attract investment and capital from abroad: why are certain municipalities more success in amassing imported investment? This research provides an initial descriptive analysis of municipal success by proposing the disaggregation of the state into local governing units to be further analyzed using economic growth determinants. / A Thesis submitted to the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Science. / Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2011. / Date of Defense: April 4, 2011. / Municipality, Investment, Serbia / Includes bibliographical references. / Jonathan Grant, Professor Directing Thesis; Robert Eger, Committee Member; Lance deHaven-Smith, Committee Member.

The end of the Cold War forced the United States to formulate a new foreign policy that was no longer defined by the ideological struggle that dominated the latter half of the twentieth century. Although post-Cold War foreign policy represented a move away from ideologically motivated policy, traditional notions of Realism and Liberalism prevailed. This thesis argues that throughout the 1990s U.S. foreign policy became more practical in nature as relations were based on changing political and economic relations. The post-Soviet Caspian states are the focus of this thesis, as they represent a region with which the United States has managed to establish bilateral political and economic relationship since their independence. This thesis argues that there has been a reorientation of U.S. foreign policy following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Articulated in the current administration's foreign policy agenda, this shift represents a departure from established international relations theory. . Once a theoretical and practical understanding of post-Soviet U.S. foreign policy in the region has been established, this thesis will outline the internal political and economic situation in the Caspian states of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. There is also an examination of international interest in the Caspian region, looking at both state and non-state actors. Through examining the nature of prior U.S. foreign policy in the Caspian states as well as that of all parties involved, this thesis will show how the current direction of American involvement in the region threatens to undermine both broader U.S. foreign policy as well as that of other interests. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of International Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. / Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2006. / Date of Defense: April 5, 2006. / Foreign Policy, Caspian, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Energy, Russia, Oil, Democracy / Includes bibliographical references. / Ljubisa Adamovich, Professor Directing Thesis; Lee Kendall Metcalf, Committee Member; Burton Atkins, Committee Member.

While the use of private contractors in United States military operations is not a new phenomenon, the expansive use of private security providers in Iraq is unprecedented in modern warfare. Over the course of the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq, these private companies have carried out more mission-critical operations than in any previous conflict, all without a comprehensive system in place to supervise and regulate their activities. During this time, these companies and their employees have been involved in a number of well-publicized incidents, drawing a great deal of criticism from numerous observers in the United States and abroad. This thesis examines these companies and their activities in Iraq, as well as the concerns and criticisms that have arisen as a result of their utilization in occupation. Ultimately, this paper attempts to determine the implications of the continued use of these companies in Iraq, as well as in future U.S. military operations. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of International Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 2008. / Date of Defense: February 25, 2008. / Middle East, Defense Contractors, Private Security Company, Private Security Provider, Contractors, Blackwater, Iraq War, Iraq / Includes bibliographical references. / Peter Garretson, Professor Directing Thesis; Mark Souva, Committee Member; Michael Creswell, Committee Member.