PHD
 

PhD Thesis Title: Beyond Tactical Success: Understanding the Long-Term Security Impacts of Counterinsurgency Approaches

PhD Supervisor: Michelle Weitzel

The research investigates the consistent outcomes of Israel's counterinsurgency (COIN) strategies across various contexts, despite differing geopolitical scenarios and adversaries. Utilizing theories from international relations and security studies, the study examines Israel's tactical responses to non-state insurgent groups through qualitative interviews and network analysis. This analysis aims to fill an existing gap in academic discourse, enhancing the understanding of asymmetric warfare dynamics. The findings are expected to offer theoretical contributions to international relations, practical insights into COIN policymaking, and guidance for future conflict resolution research
 

profile

Amena El Ashkar is a PhD candidate at the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Department of International Relations and Political Science, specializing in security studies, conflict analysis, and Middle Eastern studies. Her research focuses on counterinsurgency, civilian mobilization, collaboration, and proxy warfare, with a particular emphasis on conflict dynamics in Palestine and Lebanon.

Prior to joining the Geneva Graduate Institute, Amena served as a research assistant at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies and worked as an editor and translator at the Institute of Palestine Studies in Beirut, focusing on the daily Hebrew news section. She also has experience as a journalist with various television channels and as a writer for Arabic and English media outlets.

Amena is a recipient of the British Chevening Scholarship and holds an MA in Israeli Studies with distinction from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
 

Research Interests
 

• Security Studies
• Counterinsurgency and Insurgency
• Muslim resistance Groups
  
   

Areas of expertise

Security Studies, Conflict Analysis, and Middle Eastern Studies, with a focus on Palestine Lebanon, and Israel. Specializing in counterinsurgency, with particular interest in Muslim resistance groups, proxy warfare, and the dynamics of militant organizations in urban environments.