Yes / This paper undertakes a comparison between five multifactor variants of the capital asset pricing model. These include additional factors based on size, book to market value, momentum, liquidity and a new investor protection metric based on the product of institutional quality in a country and the proportion of free float shares, which captures the impact of controlling block holders. Using monthly returns of 909 blue chip firms from 18 Middle East & North African equity markets for 16 years, we show that a two factor CAPM augmented with a factor mimicking portfolio based on the investor protection metric yields the highest explanatory power. Analysis of Kalman filter time varying investor protection betas reveals investor protection premiums in Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon and Tunisia and corresponding discounts in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Yes

This research focuses on the Israeli town of Sderot and the rocket attacks it experienced since 2001. Sderot is a unique case study because it represents a group of individuals in a democratic country that lived with terrorism for almost a decade before the state took major defensive action. The situation in Sderot is one which has lacked attention in the media and in Political Science research. By analyzing the level of attention by multiple actors to the crisis in Sderot, the reasons for the perpetual insecurity of its population are discussed. The crisis is analyzed on four main levels: the experience of individuals in Sderot, the response of the Israeli government, Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and the role of the United Nations. The preliminary chapter examines the impact of living with rocket fire while exploring methods by which Sderot residents have engaged in activism to improve their quality of life. The following chapter discusses Israeli national defense policy and examines where Sderot has ranked on the State's list of priorities. The third chapter consists of two main sections: an analysis of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, an explanation of Barnas' rise to power in Gaza. The latter section consists of an exploration of the politics surrounding the United Nation's level of attention to the crisis in Sderot. As one transitions from the individual level of analysis to the state level, the voices of Sderot residents become much quieter, and the realities of a state that is constantly attacked from beyond its borders can be understood. By analyzing the past failings of peace negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, lessons for future attempts at negotiations are discussed, and the ever-present link between peace and security is emphasized. Overall, the realities of daily life in a state which pursues a policy of security over diplomacy are illuminated.

Stemming from U.S.'s ongoing war in the Middle East, this report details the foreign policy of three non-democratic states: Pakistan, Iran and Syria. Foreign policy is affected by many factors within the borders of a state, some of which include: power of the ruler, religion, extent of civil liberties, economy and the state's history. All of these factors, along with a number of others aid in understanding how non-democratic states form their foreign policy. Moreover, a detailed analysis of past conflicts is provided in order to represent how the antagonism came about, the reasons for warfare, the methods used and any attempts at reconciliation. This research has shown that at least in the cases of Pakistan, Iran and Syria, the political and religious leaders have had enormous influence in choosing battles. Although a similar conclusion cannot and should not be made about other states in the Middle East and South Asia, this methodology can be used in assessing foreign policy of other non-democratic states in the area as well. Thus, based on the findings in this thesis, one can infer that non-democratic states have been involved in much warfare due mostly to their rulers. There have been little or no attempts at diplomacy, and these states have almost always resorted to violence. Also, the power of the extremists in these countries is incomparable to the power of any given group around the world. This analysis may be used in efforts to better understand the region, which would aid U.S. in better cooperating with it.

No description available.

No description available.

Utmaningar är en oundviklig del av livet som alla människor möter men det kan varasärskilt påtagligt för kvinnor med utländsk bakgrund. Denna samhällsgrupp ställs oftainför en komplex uppsättning av svårigheter som innefattar ekonomiska, sociala ochkulturella hinder. Syftet med denna undersökning är att få en djupare förståelse överkvinnor från Mellanösterns roll på moderskapet och de utmaningar som de möter i detsvenska samhället. Denna studie tillämpar en kvalitativ forskningsmetod genom attgenomföra intervjuer med åtta kvinnor från Syrien, Irak och Palestina och analysenutgår från begreppen socialt kapital, intersektionalitet och differentiering. Studiensresultat visar att kvinnor från Mellanöstern möter sociala utmaningar, i form av brist påsociala relationer och stöd, något som utmanar deras möjlighet att uppfyllamoderskapet. Kvinnorna möter även ekonomiska svårigheter, bland annat på grund avdet samhälleliga kravet att båda föräldrarna behöver arbeta. Därmed upplever kvinnornaSverige som utmanande och krävande. Trots dessa svårigheter anser kvinnorna att livet iSverige är bättre, tack vare den trygghet och möjligheter som erbjuds här. / Challenges are an inevitable part of life that everyone faces, but it can be particularlynoticeable for women with a foreign background. This community often faces acomplex set of difficulties that include economic, social and cultural barriers. Thepurpose of this research is to gain a deeper understanding of women from the MiddleEast´s role in motherhood and the challenges they face in Swedish society. This studyapplies a qualitative research method by interviewing eight women från Syria, Iraq andPalestine and the analysis is based on the concepts of Social capital, intersectionalityand differentiation. The results of this study show that women from the Middle Eastface social challenges, in the form of a lack of social relationships and support,something that challenges their ability to fulfill motherhood. The women also faceeconomic difficulties due to the societal requirement that both parents need to work.Thus, the women's experience of Sweden is described as challenging and demanding.Despite these difficulties, the women believe that life in Sweden is better, thanks to thesecurity and opportunities offered here.

Die Bybel is die boek wat die meeste gelees word en tog is dit moeilik om die leefwêreld van daardie era te verstaan. My doel is om ’n nuwe blik te gee op ’n paar Ou-Testamentiese simbole. Die ontdekking van ivoorobjekte in die middel negentiende eeu in Nimrud se paleise het tot groot opwinding gelei, aangesien dit met die literatuur ooreenstem. Die ivoorstukke het ’n “verhaal” kom vertel. Deur die streke se kuns te bestudeer kan ons ’n prentjie vorm van die kuns wat in die Ystertydperk in Mesopotamië en Palestina se paleise en welaf huise voorgekom het. Die ikonografie word ontrafel deur ’n paar ivoorstukke te “lees.” Ikonografie is die beskrywing en verklaring van beelde wat op bepaalde onderwerpe betrekking het. Sekere beelde kom herhaaldelik voor in Mesopotamië. In dié studie word hoofsaaklik die Gevleuelde Wesens, die Boom van Lewe, die Gevleuelde Sonskyf asook Rosette beskryf. / The Bible is widely read but it is difficult to understand the world and culture of the era that it is set in. It is my aim to provide new insight into a few Old Testament verses with their symbolic meaning. When ivory was discovered at Nimrud the discovery elicited huge excitement. The ivory pieces came to tell a story. Through studying the art of the different cultures a picture begins to appear of the palaces and homes of the wealthy in the Levant. The iconography could be “read.” Iconography is the science of interpreting the message the art wants to convey to the viewer. A few images are repeatedly showing up in the Levant during the Iron Age. In this study I am focusing mainly on The Tree of Life, the Winged Disc, the Rosette and Winged Spiritual Beings. I am attempting to discern the meaning behind these images. / Biblical & Ancient Studies / M.A. (Ou Nabye-Oosterse Studies)

Die Bybel is die boek wat die meeste gelees word en tog is dit moeilik om die leefwêreld van daardie era te verstaan. My doel is om ’n nuwe blik te gee op ’n paar Ou-Testamentiese simbole. Die ontdekking van ivoorobjekte in die middel negentiende eeu in Nimrud se paleise het tot groot opwinding gelei, aangesien dit met die literatuur ooreenstem. Die ivoorstukke het ’n “verhaal” kom vertel. Deur die streke se kuns te bestudeer kan ons ’n prentjie vorm van die kuns wat in die Ystertydperk in Mesopotamië en Palestina se paleise en welaf huise voorgekom het. Die ikonografie word ontrafel deur ’n paar ivoorstukke te “lees.” Ikonografie is die beskrywing en verklaring van beelde wat op bepaalde onderwerpe betrekking het. Sekere beelde kom herhaaldelik voor in Mesopotamië. In dié studie word hoofsaaklik die Gevleuelde Wesens, die Boom van Lewe, die Gevleuelde Sonskyf asook Rosette beskryf. / The Bible is widely read but it is difficult to understand the world and culture of the era that it is set in. It is my aim to provide new insight into a few Old Testament verses with their symbolic meaning. When ivory was discovered at Nimrud the discovery elicited huge excitement. The ivory pieces came to tell a story. Through studying the art of the different cultures a picture begins to appear of the palaces and homes of the wealthy in the Levant. The iconography could be “read.” Iconography is the science of interpreting the message the art wants to convey to the viewer. A few images are repeatedly showing up in the Levant during the Iron Age. In this study I am focusing mainly on The Tree of Life, the Winged Disc, the Rosette and Winged Spiritual Beings. I am attempting to discern the meaning behind these images. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M.A. (Ou Nabye-Oosterse Studies)

In the historical tapestry of the development of the Goddess, from 10,000 - 330 BCE one golden thread shines through. Despite the vicissitudes of differing status, she remained essentially the same, namely divine. She was continuously sought in the many mysteries, mystic ideologies and through the manifestations that she inspired. In all the countries of the Ancient Near East, the mother goddess was the life giving creatrix and regenerator of the world and the essence of the generating force that seeds new life. While her name may have altered in the various areas, along with that of her consort/lover/child, the myths and rituals which formed a major force in forming the ancient cultures would become manifest in a consciousness and a spiritual awareness. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M.A. (Language and Culture)