Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The problem of violent extremism is approaching a critical point in America. American government and community leaders must find an effective approach to deterring violent extremism immediately. A national and comprehensive approach to deter violent extremism in America is currently lacking. This comparative policy perspective seeks to determine whether the United Kingdom and Australia have good practices to deter violent extremism that can be useful in America. Secondly, this thesis also seeks to determine whether the United States can implement potential good practices to deter violent extremism. After a thorough review of the issue of violent extremism in America, this thesis studies similar background, research, and violent extremism issues in the United Kingdom and Australia. This thesis concludes that a variety of good practices in the United Kingdom and Australia can counter radicalize and deter violent extremists in America. The findings and recommendations from this research include challenges and a way forward to implement certain potential best practices for the United States. The arguments offer viable options and alternatives that the United States should consider when creating a national deterring-violent-extremism strategy. The details and information regarding understanding and implementing good practices to deter violent extremism in America are contained in this thesis. / Major, New York Army National Guard, Latham, New York

With the collapse of the bipolar system and increasing number and importance of small states, the emphasis is not placed only on the great powers anymore. In the globalizing world states have to face new threats and adapt its security and foreign policy tools. The aim of the thesis is to find out which steps two small countries - Czech Republic and Norway, undertake to ensure their safety and minimize their threats. The first chapter analyzes foreign policies of the selected countries, and decides whether they are really small states. After defining the major threats as terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, an analysis of counter-terrorism actions based on the official counter-terrorism strategies of the UN, the OSCE, the NATO, and the EU follows. From this analysis the thesis then concludes that Czech Republic and Norway are small, but not weak states and they may contribute to minimizing global threats.

ВКР (магистерская диссертация) состоит из введения, трех глав, заключения, библиографического списка, включающего 67 наименования, 6 приложений. Работа включает 12 таблиц и 3 рисунка. Общий объем ВКР (магистерской диссертации) – 115 страниц. Объект исследования – противодействие коррупции в таможенных органах. Цель исследования – проанализировать противодействие коррупции как фактор повышения эффективности деятельности регионального таможенного управления и предложить критерии оценки эффективности антикоррупционной деятельности в таможенных органах. Научная новизна. Заключается в постановке научной проблемы исследования противодействия коррупции как фактора повышения эффективности деятельности в таможенной сфере на региональном уровне управления; в уточнении понятий «антикоррупционная деятельность в таможенной сфере» и «фактор повышения эффективности антикоррупционной деятельности в таможенной сфере». Практическая значимость исследования состоит в возможности использования материалов проекта по совершенствованию практики противодействия коррупции в Уральском таможенном управлении и других таможенных управлениях России. / The WRC (master's thesis) consists of an introduction, three chapters, a conclusion, a bibliographic list including 67 titles, 6 appendices. The work includes 12 tables and 3 figures. The total volume of the WRC (master's thesis) is 115 pages. The object of the study is the fight against corruption in the customs authorities. The purpose of the study is to analyze anti-corruption as a factor in improving the efficiency of the regional customs administration and to propose criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of anti-corruption activities in customs authorities. Scientific novelty. It consists in the formulation of the scientific problem of anti-corruption research as a factor of increasing the effectiveness of activities in the customs sphere at the regional management level; in clarifying the concepts of "anti-corruption activities in the customs sphere" and "a factor of increasing the effectiveness of anti-corruption activities in the customs sphere". The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using the materials of the project to improve the practice of combating corruption in the Ural Customs Administration and other customs administrations of Russia.

This study investigates the possibility of implementing national psychological defence measures utilizing social media. These measures are understood as an exercise of political power and are contextualised in the contemporary global information arena using Castells theory of communication power in the network society, while employing PSYOPS methodology to further understand the tactical dimensions. It also attempts to evaluate the prevalence of ”filter bubbles” and the potential hindrance such may be to successful implementation. Results show that key audiences can be reached and effectively influenced through the use of social media advert targeting systems and open source, fact-based information campaigns.

Cette recherche doctorale en histoire immédiate, s'inscrit dans une réflexion plus large sur l'étude de nouveaux conflits, la culture et l'emploi des forces armées françaises sur le terrain, en prenant l'exemple de son engagement en Afghanistan. Elle porte particulièrement sur l'emploi de l'arme du génie dont nous postulons à la grande importance de ses savoir-faire sur le terrain, en situation de contre-insurrection. / This doctoral research takes part on the study of the new conflicts, by taking the example of the French engineers in Afghanistan. We postulate for the big importance of these combat support units in situation of counterinsurgency.

This study focused on the challenges female school principals face in managing their schools effectively and the possible strategies to overcome these challenges. Ten schools from Mpumalanga province were purposively selected as research sites. Participants were the school principal and a member of the school management team of each school. Individual interviews with the school principals and an open-ended questionnaire to the school management team members were used to collect data. The findings revealed that a lack of confidence in female leadership with related gender discrimination, a lack of support and respect from staff and the community, and unfair practices with the promotion procedures of women are the main challenges that hamper female leaders in managing their schools well. The fostering of a positive attitude towards female leadership, a strong support system, female leaders empowering themselves and an effort to build good relationships with all stakeholders represent solution strategies. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)