Author: Nassef Manabilang Adiong

Nassef is the founder of Co-IRIS (International Relations and Islamic Studies Research Cohort), PHISO (Philippine International Studies Organization), DSRN (Decolonial Studies Research Network), and BRLN (Bangsamoro Research and Legal Network). He works on interdisciplinary research between Islam and International Relations and explores the Bangsamoro society as he heads the Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS) of the Bangsamoro Parliament. Visit https://nassef.info/ for more details.

Eclecticism in the Study of International Relations of the Middle East

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World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies
July 19th – 24th, 2010 / Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain
 

With co-presenter Ms. Ellinor.
 
Panel 457:  
Challenges to Theoretical Perspectives of International Relations

 Chair and Presenter: 
 Nassef M. Adiong, Middle East Technical University, Turkey
Presenters: 
Simon Mabon, University of Leeds, UK
Ellinor Zeino-Mahmalat, German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Germany
Date and Time:  
July 23, 2010 (Friday), 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Venue:  
Aula 113, Facultat de Filosofia i Lletres

 With other participants from Germany.

Abstract:

A theory tries to explain and laid down logical statements and assumptions that would permeate to guide and assist the members of the academe and/or practitioners on how to study and conceptualize the complexities and intricacies of International Relations (IR) of the Middle East.
A strong theory is set under one paradigm with its strong explanatory power that encompasses temporal and spatial elements of a certain phenomenon. However, is this line of argument applicable to conceptual approaches to the area study of the Middle East? Eclecticism has been a fashion fad in the contemporary trend of international relations theory especially in looking into area studies.
This approach was used and still being utilize by IR scholars in presenting theoretical framework(s) for cases and issue-areas of the Middle East. Fred Halliday’s historical/political sociological approach; John Galtung’s structural theory of imperialism which was enshrined to Wallerstein’s modern world system approach; Birthe Hansen’s (neo)realism, Stephen Walt’s balance-against-threats and other scholars attempt to converge constructivism with realism; and other scholars like Shibley Telhami, Michael Barnett, Raymond Hinnebusch and Anoushirvan Ehteshami interpretations to constructivism (a mix of qausi-conventional to quasi-constitutive elements of constructivism).
These are just some of the prominent scholars, who in some way or the other suspected to have used eclecticism in their approach to understand the complexity of the IR of the Middle East. If this is the trend, why do some experts draw their attention on applying eclecticism in theoretically conceptualizing the IR of the Middle East? What are the strengths and weaknesses of being eclectic to the study of IR of the Middle East? These are the primal questions that the paper aims to present, and later would provide answers for.
The proponent will argue that in trying to understand and conceptualize the IR of the Middle East, we need several sets of paradigms (patterns of explanations), assumptions and propositions that draw upon the multiplicity of theories, styles and ideas, which will help us gain a wider scope of insights into the telescopic array of issues and/or case for the study of the Middle East.

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20th International Youth Leadership Conference

 20th IYLC, Prague, Czech Republic, 11-16 July 2010

Although I miss my flight and was not able to attend the first day of its program, I was able to come the following day with help of my Filipino friends in Ankara who supported me financially. I have some reservations about this conference, however, what’s important was that I met new people and learned from them.

I would like to acknowledge our hardworking and admirable facilitator Tara Lannen-Stanton for her kind words and wisdom.

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Tara’s message: Nassef. It was an absolute pleasure being your facilitator this week. I really enjoyed your intellect and your continuous questioning of circumstances. That questions will take you so far and you will be very successful. I hope you do well at your next conference and finish your paper in time. Take care and good luck.

At the Senate session of Czech Republic, asking questions regarding issues in the security of the Middle East. (Picture taken by Ms. Tara)

With a serious, diligent yet funny group of Ms. Tara (lady in pink). (Picture taken by Ms. Tara)

The Defense group during the International Criminal Court simulation. (Picture taken by Ms. Tara)
With Filipino IYLC delegates and members of the diplomatic mission in Czech Republic.

With the Filipino IYLC delegates and Philippine Ambassador to Czech Republic. The embassy invited us for a luncheon meeting before I went back to Ankara.

Book Review on Khaled Abou El Fadl’s The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam From The Extremists

This book represents a chronological account of opposing ideologies between the Moderates and Puritans of the Islamic faith. The author posited a claim that Puritans dominates Moderates in a politico-power dynamics game. He is also distraught with the illogical misconceptions of some non-Muslims, albeit to misunderstanding the Islamic theology.

It is divided into two parts: the first is explaining the origin, rise and contemporary puritanical ideologies, while the second is an exuberant and elaborative explanation between the significant differences of Moderates and Puritans on specific issues like laws, democracy, human rights, women’s role, Jihad, terrorism and et cetera.

He ended his writings through advocating a collective effort of all Muslim Moderates around the world to militantly fight the creed of the Puritans and unite to show to the West the true message of Islam in a moderate sense. This envelopes an internal dichotomy of the Islamic faith with different interpretations but having a singular religion. “The Great Theft” is recommendable to all Muslims and non-Muslims to deeply understand the conflict and help eliminate the dilemma that keeps the burden illuminating in the image of Islam throughout the humankind.

Click here to download it for free.

United States of America’s Foreign Policy in the Security of Asia-Pacific Region

This paper will examine the determining factors through the questions posited in the course outline regarding a gradual change of focus of U.S. foreign policy from terrorism to citing fomenting predictions and future tenses that China would be a ‘threat’ in the Asia-Pacific region as well to the world. Utilizing ‘Hedging,’ one of foreign policy’s options, as the tool or instrument to achieve its purpose, carry-out goals, and implement policies.

In 2000, Pres. George W. Bush labeled China as the United States’ leading strategic and military competitor. (Twining 2007) In his rhetoric, what changes in U.S. strategic and defense relationships in the Asia-Pacific region, if any, are needed to respond to major developments in the region, particularly China’s emergence as a major power, the continuing potential for inter-state conflict, and the struggle against militant Islamists? (Vaughn 2007)

Click here to download the full paper for free.

The Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

The same peculiarity as the first paper was entailed subject to delimitations provided by the syllabus, this study will entirely focus on oil security, its political and economic adversaries concomitant with the foreign policy of Iran towards OPEC. It will explain the dynamics and mechanisms on how policies in Iran are extensively constructed especially in dealings with interstate relations juxtapose to non-state actor like OPEC.

The proponent will concentrate on four aspects:

1.Units of Analysis – intuitively investigate the actors (political elites and eminent religious personalities involved in the making of the foreign policy), the international environment, and varied situations occurred in events that are intertwined or connected in planning and organizing the policies to be implemented.

2.Determinants and Processes – in this aspect, the researcher will expound two classifications, the foreign determinants and the domestic determinants that immensely affect the doings of a foreign policy maker, discussing what are the processes or systems afflicted in each determinant and how do they differ or paralleled.

3.The Acts – will look on the decisions made; observe mobilization of resources and the application of instruments and techniques in advancing Iranian interest on oil security.
4.Policies and Consequences – if it is patterned in insulation, engagement or expansion policies as oriented by options in foreign policy discussed in the class and if these factors are congruent to any model appropriate for its attached consequences, if there are patterns in consistency with Iranians foreign policy?

Likewise, this will be surveyed through gathered secondary resources and may apply methodology and theoretical framework in the field of international politics or international political economy. The purpose of this investigation is that oil security is a pressing issue and delicate yet complex geopolitical theme especially in the world today, the proponent is hoping that this paper may be added in the realm of Middle Eastern literature in consonance to conflict management scheme.

Click here to download the full paper for free.