Soehail Ali | University of Edinburgh (original) (raw)

Drafts by Soehail Ali

Policy Paper: Diversity and Inclusion within London Metropolitan Police, 2023

This policy paper focuses on diversity within the London Metropolitan Police (the MET) and its im... more This policy paper focuses on diversity within the London Metropolitan Police (the MET) and its implications for effective and fair policing. It emphasises the significance of diversity in comprehending the distinct requirements and viewpoints of minority groups and ethnic communities. The paper puts forth a set of recommendations to enhance public trust and garner support for establishing a more representative and diverse police force that upholds the principles of policing through consent. It is aimed at senior management and U.K. government representatives.

What role did the relationship between Intelligence and policymakers play in causing the intelligence failure in Pearl Harbour, 2023

In 1941, the port of Pearl Harbour (P.H.) in Hawaii (H) in the United States (U.S.) fell victim t... more In 1941, the port of Pearl Harbour (P.H.) in Hawaii (H) in the United States (U.S.) fell victim to a Japanese assault
by fighter bombers (Tagg, 2017). Consequently, the Pacific fleet experienced a temporary shutdown, leading to
the U.S.'s entry into World War II (WW2) (Dahl, 2013). While the surprise attack has often been portrayed as
unforeseeable given the local circumstances at the time, a scholarly discourse has highlighted intelligence
failures that were, in fact, preventable (Parker in Dahl, 2013).

Therefore, this essay aims to examine the
intelligence failure in Pearl Harbour from the perspective of wider theoretical debates

The Use of Force by Law Enforcement: Examining the Tensions in the Application of Rule of Law in Michigan, 2023

This article examines the case of the use of force by a (GRPD) Grand Rapid Police Officer in Mich... more This article examines the case of the use of force by a (GRPD) Grand Rapid Police Officer in Michigan, United States, against Patrick Lyoya.
It questions if the use of force can be considered (legitimate) when viewed from an International Rule of Law (ROL) standpoint and stress the tensions in the application of ROL.

The 22nd of July 2021 marked the Oslo and Utøya attacks in Norway that shocked the globe. A.Breiv... more The 22nd of July 2021 marked the Oslo and Utøya attacks in Norway that shocked the globe. A.Breivik, then a 32 year old right-wing extremist, shot dead sixty-seven people (von Brömssen
2013:04). Shortly before committing his act of terror, he forwarded his manifesto to a wide-range of individuals and organisations across the globe (Orange 2019:07) supplied with a rationale for murdering innocent citizens (Sandberg 2013:70). This paper dives into the manifest and breaks down surfaces of ontological (in)security based on theory. It should be read
in conjunction with table one, which assigns drivers of ontological uncertainty to parts of the Breivik Manifest.

Can deterrence in cyberspace succeed?, 2022

This paper answers if deterrence in cyberspace succeeds. I am making the. argument that it is ve... more This paper answers if deterrence in cyberspace succeeds. I am making the. argument that it is very challenging, if not impossible to set up norms that are valid worldwide.

SWOC/T Analysis: Final assignment Security: Actors, Institutions and Constellations: SSA South African State Security Agency, 2022

This SWOT/C analysis assesses the internal and external environment of the SSA: the South African... more This SWOT/C analysis assesses the internal and external environment of the SSA: the South African State Security Agency. The research concentrates on the entire secret agency's structure by analysing various literature and existing reports that reflect academic theories.

This paper questions in what way the revelations of Edward Snowden had a impact on online intelli... more This paper questions in what way the revelations of Edward Snowden had a impact on online intelligence collection practices worldwide.

Why is Taiwan still important for China?, 2021

This paper explored the question why Taiwan is still so important for China's leaders (the commun... more This paper explored the question why Taiwan is still so important for China's leaders (the communist party or CPP). To a large extend the CPP are preoccupied with Taiwan because it has the potential to be seen as an further motivator for democracy spreading in mainland China which has the potential to override Communist ideology. For the most part China's leaders are just more aware that they can use the asymmetrical economical relationship to their advantage. However, my core argument is that Taiwan matters because the CPP made it an issue themselves: they understand that most mainlanders want reunification and a great China is in populair demand, which sustains the need to always pinpoint towards the cros-strait issue.

Why do only a handful of nations retain nuclear weapons?, 2021

Nuclear weapons or nukes as I like to call them were introduced in the 20th century. These are ... more Nuclear weapons or nukes as I like to call them were introduced in the 20th century. These are weapons so powerful that usage leads to enormous human catastrophes due to the immediate effects of radiation and fire that can kill thousands instantly, while its aftereffects such as diseases, cancer and infrastructural collapses are still felt for generations (Mearsheimer 1993:280). An easy answer why states develop nukes might be hard realism: states can never be certain about other states intensions in the international society and nuclear weapons provide them the security guarantee that they have a substantial answer ready in case of treats (Yumuru 2009:258). Nevertheless, the reality shows that wars are still fought conventionally as no nukes have been launched on civilians after the tragedy in Nagasaki and Hiroshima and still only a handful of states does own these weapons. I believe therefore it is relevant to ask ourselves the question, why do only a small minority of states have nuclear weapons? This question is essential especially now tensions between powers like Russia, The US and Iran rise.

Realism, the prominent theoretical paradigm seems to annoy us. There is no lack of interest in t... more Realism, the prominent theoretical paradigm seems to annoy us. There is no lack of interest in the classical foundation as Machiavelli, or Hobbes outlined us, but its instead the rise of useful theories on the international system after the Cold War, that made us as the world realise that democracy is the sole state system (Waltz 2000:35). Even despite the revival of realism as an explanation for all foolish wars there have been started in the 21st century, the idea that norms from an interlinked political-economic system seem to be found better ideas (Morton 2005:350). But despite the cliché realism theory might have as some think its solely about military-economic power (Ikkenbery 2017:08) this essay argues that Realism is still relevant even after the theoretical decline of the cold war because it is an useful tool for issues that regular confront us as prescribes 'how the world really is rather than for other theories how the world ought to be (Cox 2007:166)' This does not imply that realism or any other theory has all the answers our looking for in our endless dreams to end conflict and build a forever peace. It should rather be seen as a theory, next to other theories, that are there to provide a helpful framework to analyse the world.
This essay answers the question: Why does Realism has analytical value, even now the Cold War is a long way over?

Weapons are now so accurate that literature describes them as precision-guided munitions (PGMs), ... more Weapons are now so accurate that literature describes them as precision-guided munitions (PGMs), smart or even brilliant bombs, while unguided bombs have frequently been targeted to be the dumb bomb that shouldn’t be used (Reese 2003:46). The main objective of this PGMs is that smart in its terminal phase before reaching the ground, with a higher probability of making a direct hit (Mandel 2004:174). The central justification for policymakers or whoever is in charge is that it needed to disrupt ‘’the enemy’’ in an effective way and provides a rapid, risk-free pathway to the victory of the ‘’good nations’’ who want to protect the liberal order (Cavellaro 2012:125). PGMs were first used in the Persian Gulf War, that was characterised as a television war with ‘’seemingly precise videos of attacks, and then have become more fashionable in modern warfare (Kaplan 2006:709)’’. In the war on terror, drone strikes have become intensified to the extent it represents a war without blood and bodies (Warell 2020). Under the Trump administration, the usage of PGMs escalated to a larger number of unnumbered victims of these targeted killings, under the justification that the victims are way less than in a conventional war, making war, not the hell it once was (Keeter 2009:02). Still, we seem to forget that war necessarily involves destruction: ‘’buildings are blown up, essential infrastructure is destroyed, lives (how dangerous they might be for us) ended’’ targets (Zehfuss 2011:545). So, we do have to set questions on the usage of this bombs and if they are just not another Guernica, but because of this PGMs wars happens in the shadows it might yet still to be painted.
This essay marks down the insecurities that PGMs have and even are creating and demonstrate that this is more than one might suspect.

Thesis Chapters by Soehail Ali

What is the role of BRICS in the international order and the Global South?, 2021

This University of Bristol (UOB) dissertation analysed the role of BRICS in regional and global g... more This University of Bristol (UOB) dissertation analysed the role of BRICS in regional and global governance.
It theorises BRICS and explains how it views the militarisation of disputes, its desired role in the financial system and outlines its response to climate change. Presented information in this theoretically informed documentary analysis is extracted from extensive research of literature, academic and think thank reports, media articles and official information.

It concludes that in the researched areas, BRICS applies a grand strategy to soft balance the United States and neoliberalism as an ideological competitor and applies realpolitik in the Global South. By framing themselves as developing nations who has capital to make change, BRICS makes a case to be connected to Southern development problems like poverty and the climate and along make gains to increase soft power, capital and broader recognition as a credible partner.

The dissertation reconfirms the view that BRICS uphold Westphalian sovereignty to decide its own trajectory in international affairs. It implies that strong initiatives to change current political-economical structures are not directly expected, but with its initiative BRICS adds further ideological competition to libertarian agendas, questions current development models and adds on further decay in coorporation with the Global North.

Talks by Soehail Ali

What are the driving forces behind China's third world diplomacy?, 2021

For the University of Bristol (UOB) i made an presentation which looks deeper in to why China see... more For the University of Bristol (UOB) i made an presentation which looks deeper in to why China seemingly engage alone in building linkages in least developing nations and often (so does claim the west) authoritarian regimes. In the draft you read my core reasons what i believe is behind this new third world diplomacy.

Papers by Soehail Ali

Covert Regime Change: Weighing the Risks and Benefits for Statecraft, 2023

The academic paper examines the potential benefits and downsides of covert regime change operatio... more The academic paper examines the potential benefits and downsides of covert regime change operations. The benefits include principal deniability, lower costs than overt operations, tactical time buying, and surpassing accountability checks and balances. However, the potential downsides include perpetual war, domestic chaos, and the principal-agent problem. The paper concludes that covert operations must be carefully considered, and planners/leaders should not rely on mental models that diminish potential downsides. Instead, those who engage in covert regime change should conduct comprehensive risk analysis and evaluate the usefulness of such operations to national interests. The success of covert regime change as a tool for statecraft depends on weighing the potential risks against the benefits.

FROM DEMOCRATIC DEFENDERS TO DEMOCRATIC REBELS, 2023

This paper set out to explore the case studies of Poland and Hungary in 2021 through the lens of ... more This paper set out to explore the case studies of Poland and Hungary in 2021 through the lens of the rule of law index. The two countries, who have adhered to the EU in 2004, illustrate an intriguing case study. They have attracted a lot of attention from the EU with their disregard towards rule of law principles. These countries were at the bottom of the ranking among member states of the European Union, having the worst declines in the Rule of Law Index in 2021. Using Bedner’s framework, the authors analysed some important aspects of the rule of law that could explain the significant decline in the two countries’ scores. The third category of the framework is the main factor contributing to the erosion of the rule of law, with Hungary and Poland ranking 117th and 67th respectively, in terms of restrictions on government authority, the backslide has been particularly evident in both situations. Additionally, both nations persistently disregard the procedural requirements of the rule of law, as well as the substantive elements. From violence towards immigrants to discrimination against their own citizens, both countries are experiencing a democratic decline. On one hand, Hungary is the most thoroughly studied EU nation and the first EU member state to experience a decline in the rule of law, with deeply ingrained undemocratic practices. On the other hand, Poland is one of the newest contenders, which has successfully enacted anti-democratic policies and has had one of the steepest declines in the rule of law in the EU over the last few years

This paper answered the question to what extend the national intelligence priorities of South Afr... more This paper answered the question to what extend the national intelligence priorities of South Africa has changed, from Apartheid to present time. It found that although on paper the priorities are centred around human security, regime security as a intelligence priority became more chief since the 2000s.

Conference Presentations by Soehail Ali

The Contribution of the World Bank and IMF in Promoting Sustainable Development Goals in Developing Countries, 2023

This academic conference presentation for the University of Bristol 2023 explores the impact of ... more This academic conference presentation for the University of Bristol 2023 explores the impact of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) on promoting sustainable development goals in developing countries. While conventional Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) have been criticised for their negative impact, it cannot be denied that some developing countries have benefited from initial liberal policies. The presentation acknowledges the efforts of the Bank and IMF in relieving debts and reforming their policies towards sustainable development goals, as well as increasing transparency and openness to the public. The study also highlights numerous successful projects implemented by the Bank to address environmental problems and promote human capital development in developing countries. Through a review of existing literature, this Presentation concludes that the Bank and IMF have made significant contributions towards addressing development challenges in developing countries