Hizbullah, Al-Qaeda, and IS. Robert Andrew Hodges

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Hizbullah, Al-Qaeda, and IS. Robert Andrew Hodges Ideological Foundations of Jihadist Organizations: Hizbullah, al-Qaeda, and IS. Robert Andrew Hodges Thesis submitted to the faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts In Political Science Bettina Koch Ilja Luciak Yannis Stivachtis June 27, 2017 Blacksburg, Virginia Keyword: Jihadist organization, ideology, religion, socio-political, Hizbullah, al- Qaeda, ISIS Copyright 2017, Robert Andrew Hodges Ideological Foundations of Jihadist Organizations: Hizbullah, al-Qaeda, and IS. Robert Andrew Hodges ABSTRACT This thesis explores the ideological foundations of three jihadist organizations, Hizbullah, al- Qaeda, and Islamic State (IS). All three are categorized as international terrorist organizations but their goals differ. Hizbullah seeks to alter the government within Lebanon, al-Qaeda seeks to eliminate Western influences in Muslim inhabited territories, and IS seeks to create a caliphate within a large portion of the Middle East. The similarities and differences of these three organizations will be illuminated through this examination. The primary focus of the examination focuses on their religious teachings and discourse, as this is a critical aspect of their ideologies. Through this examination, the differences in discourse coinciding with the differing goals of each organization is presented. The discourse of each organization facilitates their goals, recruitment of fighters, and explanation of their actions. Self/other identification is a commonality of all three ideologies but the identification of the other is different according to each organizations goals. This thesis will highlight this aspect and allow for further discussion of the three organizations in future research. The conclusion will allow for discussion as to who gains and maintains power and whether religion is a base or merely a tool for this power. Ideological Foundations of Jihadist Organizations: Hizbullah, al-Qaeda, and IS. Robert Andrew Hodges GENERAL AUDIENCE ABSTRACT This thesis examines the ideological foundations of three jihadist organizations. The jihadist organizations examined are Hizbullah, al-Qaeda, and ISIS. The ideological foundations are examined by identifying the influences and leaders of the organizations and their contributions to their organizations. The purpose of this examination is to provide the reader with a base understanding of three organizations ideological foundations. This thesis will discuss the varying use of self/other identification by each of the organizations and how it is altered to fit the goals of each group. Understanding how the goals and self/other discourse are related will allow for better understanding of how recruitment is conducted and how each group continues to exist while being battled by more advanced technology and trained militaries. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my committee members for their patience, guidance, and support during this time. Dr. Bettina Koch, my chairperson, provided outstanding feedback and encouragement to produce this thesis to my best abilities. Dr. Yannis Stivachtis, provided great support and kept me on track with a positive attitude. Dr. Ilja Luciak, gave me great support during my proposal and early stages of the research process. This committee has my unending gratitude and deep appreciation for all they have done to support me in this educational process of producing an academic writing on a deep subject. I need to thank so many professors and staff of the Political Science department. The encouragement and support I received was invaluable and I could not have survived without their consistent words of encouragement. To my close friends and class family Katie Steffy, Chelsea Manning, and Allison Miller, your support made the entire Master’s program days seem not too bad. We had lots of struggles and laughs but we did it. To my wife Dana and four daughters (Sarah, Kelly, Amy, and Rachel), your love and support was my foundation. You gave me a reason to keep going every day. I love you all with all my heart and cannot thank you enough for standing with me during this. iv Table of Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1: Hizbullah: Goals and Ideological Foundation .....................................................15 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 15 Shi’i Islamist Movement and the Lebanese Clerics .......................................................................... 16 Socio-political conditions .............................................................................................................23 Amal and its importance to creating Hizbullah ...............................................................................26 The Emergence of Hizbullah .........................................................................................................29 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................35 Chapter 2: The Influences and Ideological Foundations of al-Qaeda ...................................37 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 37 The origins of al-Qaeda’s religious foundation ...............................................................................40 Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab, Muhammad ibn Sa’ud and the creation of Saudi Arabia….............44 The Influence of Sayyid Qutb .......................................................................................................48 Abdullah Azzam and the Global Jihad ...........................................................................................53 Ayman al-Zawahiri and the Use of the Martyr ................................................................................58 Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda .....................................................................................................63 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 66 Chapter 3: The Islamic State and Its Separation from al-Qaeda............................................68 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 68 Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi and His Religious Ideology .................................................................69 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, AQI, and the Emergence of ISIS ................................................................74 The Rise of ISIS............................................................................................................................ 76 v Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 77 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................78 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................83 vi Introduction: This thesis will explore and examine the ideological foundations of three Jihadist organizations, Hizbullah, al-Qaeda, and ISIS. The purpose of this study is to understand their ideological foundations. Preliminary readings lead to the suggestion that the socio-political is based on religious ideology. To clarify, the creation of an Islamic state based on Shari’a law or the restoration or creation of a new caliphate is founded on a particular reading of the Islamic religion and based on fundamental or extremist interpretations of the Qur’an. To further the discussion, the religious ideology is used to legitimize a self-other identification and this identification is created by personal experiences of the primary figures who are instrumental in the creation of the three organizations examined. This thesis will examine this process of how religious and socio-political factors based on self-other identification helped to create the ideological foundations of Jihadist organizations. These organizations are chosen for the thesis as they are contemporary and internationally recognized jihadist organizations. The differences in these organizations is relevant to their selection. Hizbullah follows the Shi’i sect of the Islamic faith but al-Qaeda and ISIS are Sunni, more specifically followers of Wahhabi or Salafi Islam. A discussion of these forms of the Islamic faith will occur as the groups are discussed. The persons relevant to the establishment of their respective organization will be examined as to experiences that led to their self-other identification. The use of their specific religious ideology will be examined as it pertains to their self-other identification. Then the use of religion to legitimate their socio- political ideology will be discussed. By understanding these concepts, one can gain a clearer understanding as to the goals and reasons for actions by these Jihadist organizations. 1 The subject of this thesis is the outcome of much misinterpretation by US news and political discussions concerning the reasons for Jihadist
Recommended publications
  • The New Totalitarians: Social Identities and Radical Islamist Political Grand Strategy
    THE NEW TOTALITARIANS: SOCIAL IDENTITIES AND RADICAL ISLAMIST POLITICAL GRAND STRATEGY Douglas J. Macdonald January 2007 Visit our website for other free publication downloads http://www.StrategicStudiesInstitute.army.mil/ To rate this publication click here. This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States Code, Section 105, it may not be copyrighted. ***** The views expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. This report is cleared for public release; distribution is unlimited. ***** I would like to thank Ms. Jaime Nizer Brown, Colonel Alex Crowther, Dr. Tony Echevarria, Lieutenant Colonel Nate Freier, Ms. Barbara Gallagher, Jeff Goodwin, Dr. Bob Jervis, Dr. Bob Kaufman, Minister Bilahari Kausikan, Dr. Tim Lomperis, Professor Douglas Lovelace, Dr. William Macdonald, Bob Meehan, Dr. Steve Metz, Lieutenant Colonel Ray Millen, Professor John Quinn, Dr. David Rivera, Dr. Andrew Scobell, Dr. Bob Snyder, Dr. Andy Terrill, Dr. Jim Wirtz, Dr. John Zimmerman, and Dr. Sherifa Zuhur for discussing the issues, providing sources, and/or reading earlier drafts. I especially appreciate the U.S. Army War College and its Strategic Studies Institute for the support of this research. Any shortcomings or mistakes in the analysis, of course, are mine alone. ***** Comments pertaining to this report are invited and should be forwarded to: Director, Strategic Studies Institute, U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Jihadi Threat: ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Beyond
    THE JIHADI THREAT ISIS, AL QAEDA, AND BEYOND The Jihadi Threat ISIS, al- Qaeda, and Beyond Robin Wright William McCants United States Institute of Peace Brookings Institution Woodrow Wilson Center Garrett Nada J. M. Berger United States Institute of Peace International Centre for Counter- Terrorism Jacob Olidort The Hague Washington Institute for Near East Policy William Braniff Alexander Thurston START Consortium, University of Mary land Georgetown University Cole Bunzel Clinton Watts Prince ton University Foreign Policy Research Institute Daniel Byman Frederic Wehrey Brookings Institution and Georgetown University Car ne gie Endowment for International Peace Jennifer Cafarella Craig Whiteside Institute for the Study of War Naval War College Harleen Gambhir Graeme Wood Institute for the Study of War Yale University Daveed Gartenstein- Ross Aaron Y. Zelin Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Washington Institute for Near East Policy Hassan Hassan Katherine Zimmerman Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy American Enterprise Institute Charles Lister Middle East Institute Making Peace Possible December 2016/January 2017 CONTENTS Source: Image by Peter Hermes Furian, www . iStockphoto. com. The West failed to predict the emergence of al- Qaeda in new forms across the Middle East and North Africa. It was blindsided by the ISIS sweep across Syria and Iraq, which at least temporarily changed the map of the Middle East. Both movements have skillfully continued to evolve and proliferate— and surprise. What’s next? Twenty experts from think tanks and universities across the United States explore the world’s deadliest movements, their strate- gies, the future scenarios, and policy considerations. This report reflects their analy sis and diverse views.
    [Show full text]
  • Sayyid Qutb: an Historical and Contextual Analysis of Jihadist Theory Joseph D
    Grand Valley State University ScholarWorks@GVSU Masters Theses Graduate Research and Creative Practice 4-7-2008 Sayyid Qutb: An Historical and Contextual Analysis of Jihadist Theory Joseph D. Bozek Grand Valley State University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses Recommended Citation Bozek, Joseph D., "Sayyid Qutb: An Historical and Contextual Analysis of Jihadist Theory" (2008). Masters Theses. 672. http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/672 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research and Creative Practice at ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Sayyid Qutb: An Historical and Contextual Analysis of Jihadist Theory By Joseph D. Bozek School of Criminal Justice Grand Valley State University Sayyid Qutb: An Historical and Contextual Analysis of Jihadist Theory By Joseph D. Bozek August 7, 2008 THESIS Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice in the School of Criminal Justice of Grand Valley State University Grand Rapids, Ml Thesis Committee Dr. Jonathan White (Chair) Dr. William Crawley Dr. Frank Hughes Acknowledgements To the faculty and staff of Grand Valley State University’s School of Criminal Justice to whom I am truly grateful for all of the support and guidance both inside and outside of the classroom. I hope I can one day impact someone’s life in the same way you have impacted mine. 11 Abstract The purpose of this research is to provide a comprehensive analysis of a salient jihadist philosopher by the name of Sayyid Qutb.
    [Show full text]
  • The Battle Between Secularism and Islam in Algeria's Quest for Democracy
    Pluralism Betrayed: The Battle Between Secularism and Islam in Algeria's Quest for Democracy Peter A. Samuelsont I. INTRODUCTION ...................................................... 309 f1. BACKGROUND TO THE ELECTIONS AND THE COUP ................................ 311 A. Algeria's Economic Crisis ......................................... 311 B. Algeria's FirstMultiparty Elections in 1990 for Local Offices ................ 313 C. The FIS Victory in the 1991 ParliamentaryElections ...................... 314 D. The Coup dt& tat ................................................ 318 E. Western Response to the Coup ...................................... 322 III. EVALUATING THE LEGITIMACY OF THE COUP ................................ 325 A. Problems Presented by Pluralism .................................... 326 B. Balancing Majority Rights Against Minority Rights ........................ 327 C. The Role of Religion in Society ...................................... 329 D. Islamic Jurisprudence ............................................ 336 1. Islamic Views of Democracy and Pluralism ......................... 337 2. Islam and Human Rights ...................................... 339 IV. PROBABLE ACTIONS OF AN FIS PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY ........................ 340 A. The FIS Agenda ................................................ 342 1. Trends Within the FIS ........................................ 342 2. The Process of Democracy: The Allocation of Power .................. 345 a. Indicationsof DemocraticPotential .......................... 346
    [Show full text]
  • Marcin Styszyński PRESENT TRENDS AMONG JIHADISTS
    XI: 2014 nr 3 Marcin Styszyński PRESENT TRENDS AMONG JIHADISTS AFTER THE ARAB SPRING Post-revolutionary environment The Arab Spring created three main trends in current political Islam. The fi rst fi eld concerns offi cial Muslim parties declaring implementation of some Islamic values in legal, constitutional and social life. They resign from violence and accept politi- cal dialogue and mechanisms such as free elections, referendum or parliamentary activities. The second factor refl ects Salafi preaching and radical ideas preserving conservative traditions from the period of the Prophet Mohammad. Salafi groups are focused on their theological teaching, charity work and popularization of moral values among societies. The third category concerns jihadist organizations that dec- lare violence and fi ght against authorities and societies. They refer to the concept of takfīr (excommunication), which considers the state and the society as a sinful and atheistic group supporting immoral and corrupted governments. Moreover, the idea of takfīr is close to Al-Qaeda activities regarding violent renaissance of historic caliphate and implementation of strict sharia rules. Al-Qaeda also adapts defensive and off ensive sense of jihad to modern political context related to Western policy in the Muslim world. The victory of the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi groups in parliamentary elections in Egypt and Tunisia in 2011, the presidency of Mohammad Mursi as 26 MARCIN STYSZYŃSKI well as control of main regions in Libya and Syria by extremist militias increased infl uences of radical Islam in post-revolutionary countries.1 However, after three years of the transition process Arab societies have changed their attitude to the crucial values of the Arab revolution such as democra- cy, freedom, liberalism or fi ght against authoritarianism.
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 Kintail T Msres
    Bangor University MASTERS BY RESEARCH The innovations of radical Islam Kintail, Tessa Award date: 2017 Awarding institution: Bangor University Link to publication General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal ? Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 06. Oct. 2021 Tessa Kintail The innovations of radical Islam Thesis submitted for the degree of MARes School of Philosophy and Religion Bangor University / Prifysgol Bangor September 2017 2 Summary Islam’s leading contemporary teachers have refuted the theological principles of extremist thinking. Radicalisation experiences are increasingly heard and explored. However, a gap in countering Islamic extremism exists, which this study seeks to identify and address. Requiring authority from the texts for their actions, radical ideologues alter classical ideas to contextualise violent interpretations. This is not an organic religious evolution or adaptation of meaning to address cultural crisis, but the selective goal-based reduction and revision of God’s message.
    [Show full text]
  • Al-Qaeda's “Single Narrative” and Attempts to Develop Counter
    Al-Qaeda’s “Single Narrative” and Attempts to Develop Counter- Narratives: The State of Knowledge Alex P. Schmid ICCT Research Paper January 2014 This Research Paper seeks to map efforts to counter the attraction of al Qaeda’s ideology. The aim is to bring together and synthesise current insights in an effort to make existing knowledge more cumulative. It is, however, beyond the scope of this paper to test existing counter-narratives on their impact and effectiveness or elaborate in detail a new model that could improve present efforts. However, it provides some promising conceptual elements for a new road map on how to move forward, based on a broad review and analysis of open source literature. About the Author Alex P. Schmid is a Visiting Research Fellow at the International Centre for Counter Terrorism – The Hague, and Director of the Terrorism Research Initiative (TRI), an international network of scholars who seek to enhance human security through collaborative research. He was co-editor of the journal Terrorism and Political Violence and is currently editor-in-chief of Perspectives on Terrorism, the online journal of TRI. Dr. Schmid held a chair in International Relations at the University of St. Andrews (Scotland) where he was, until 2009, also Director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV). From 1999 to 2005 he was Officer-in-Charge of the Terrorism Prevention Branch at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the rank of a Senior Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer. From 1994 to 1999, Dr. Schmid was an elected member of the Executive Board of ISPAC (International Scientific and Professional Advisory Council) of the United Nations' Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme.
    [Show full text]
  • Islamic Movements Syllabus
    Islamic Movements Tugrul Keskin Portland State University 1. Course Overview This course will review and analyze the increasing trend of Islamic movements (IM) and Islamic parties (IP) around the world in the global age of capitalism and the contemporary Muslim world. In the course, we focus on IM and IP and their relationship with global capitalism, democracy, free speech, human rights, inequality, colonialism/imperialism, modernity, secularism and governance. All of these concepts are directly related with the conditions of modernity which have been created by the free market economy; therefore, I perceive Political Islam (IM and IP) as a product of modern conditions, such as urbanization, the emergence of a manufacture-based economy, the increased availability of higher education, women’s participation in education and the workforce, and the elimination of traditional social values. The conditions of modernity created the concept of democracy in the modern world. Christianity and Judaism have consequently been struggling to redefine themselves under the new rules and regulations – not revelations - for over 200 years; whereas in Muslim Societies, the conditions of modernity challenge Islam and Muslims. Therefore, Muslims will be forced to decide between the expression and practice of Din/Religion and the material world in their daily life. There is therefore an ongoing struggle between the observance of God and the pursuit of material conditions. Although Political Islam could be seen as a direct reaction to modern politics, Islam is actually an inherently political religion that rules and regulates every aspect of a believer’s daily life, much in the same way as economic conditions do.
    [Show full text]
  • The Muslim Brotherhood: Vanguard for Political Islam
    The Muslim Brotherhood: Vanguard for Political Islam Objective As a result of this lesson, students will be able to: • explain the nature of political Islam • analyze the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood as agents for socio-religio- political Islamic reform: Materials Student Handout: The Muslim Brotherhood: Vanguard for Political Islam Key Questions • What is political Islam? • What role does Egypt play in the rise of modern political Islam? • What is the Muslim Brotherhood? • How have Sayyid Qutb and Hasan al-Hudibi contributed to the ideological foundation of the Muslim Brotherhood? • What impact does the Muslim Brotherhood have on U.S. Foreign policy in the Middle East? Suggested Al-Hudibi, H. Preachers, not judges. Readings Al-Misri, A. 1368. Reliance of the traveler: A classic manual of Islamic sacred law. (translated and edited by Nuh Ha Mim Keller). Beltsville: Amana Publications, 1994. Ayubi, N. 1991. Political Islam: Religion and politics in the Arab world. New York: Routledge. El-Hodaiby, M. M. 2004. ‘Islamic fundamentalism does not foster violence in the Middle Eas’, in W. Dudley (ed.), The Middle East: Opposing Viewpoints. Farmington Hill, MI: Greenhaven Press. El Fadl, K. A. 2005. The great theft: Wrestling Islam from the extremists. San Francisco: HarperCollins Publishers Esposito, J. 1998. Islam: the straight path. New York: Oxford Press. ---1999a. The Oxford history of Islam. New York: Oxford University Press. ---1999b. The Islamic threat: Myth or reality. New York: Oxford University Press. ---2002a. What everyone needs to know about Islam. New York: Oxford University Press. ---2002b. Unholy war: Terror in the name of Islam. New York: Oxford University Press.
    [Show full text]
  • Counter-Terrorism Reference Curriculum
    COUNTER-TERRORISM REFERENCE CURRICULUM CTRC Academic Project Leads & Editors Dr. Sajjan M. Gohel, International Security Director Asia Pacific Foundation Visiting Teacher, London School of Economics & Political Science [email protected] & [email protected] Dr. Peter Forster, Associate Professor Penn State University [email protected] PfPC Reference Curriculum Lead Editors: Dr. David C. Emelifeonwu Senior Staff Officer, Educational Engagements Canadian Defence Academy Associate Professor Royal Military College of Canada Department of National Defence [email protected] Dr. Gary Rauchfuss Director, Records Management Training Program National Archives and Records Administration [email protected] Layout Coordinator / Distribution: Gabriella Lurwig-Gendarme NATO International Staff [email protected] Graphics & Printing — ISBN XXXX 2010-19 NATO COUNTER-TERRORISM REFERENCE CURRICULUM Published May 2020 2 FOREWORD “With guns you can kill terrorists, with education you can kill terrorism.” — Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist for female education and Nobel Prize laureate NATO’s counter-terrorism efforts have been at the forefront of three consecutive NATO Summits, including the recent 2019 Leaders’ Meeting in London, with the clear political imperative for the Alliance to address a persistent global threat that knows no border, nationality or religion. NATO’s determination and solidarity in fighting the evolving challenge posed by terrorism has constantly increased since the Alliance invoked its collective defence clause for the first time in response to the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 on the United States of America. NATO has gained much experience in countering terrorism from its missions and operations. However, NATO cannot defeat terrorism on its own. Fortunately, we do not stand alone.
    [Show full text]
  • Osama Bin Laden
    Great Lives from History 1901-2000 The Twentieth Century Bin Laden, Osama Osama Bin Laden Saudi Arabian terrorist leader The leader of the Islamic terrorist organization al- Yemeni peasant who became wealthy as a building con- Qaeda, Bin Laden emerged as the spiritual symbol for tractor for the Saudi royal family. Muhammed, who was many anti-Western Islamic fundamentalists in the married twenty-two times, had Bin Laden with his tenth aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the wife, Hamida al-Attas. Bin Laden’s parents divorced United States. when he was a child, and his mother then married Mu- hammad al-Attas and had four more children. Bin Laden Born: March 10, 1957; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was raised by his mother and stepfather, although he re- Also known as: Osama bin Mohammad bin Laden ceived significant financial support from his birth father. (full name); Usamah Ibn Laden After his father’s death in 1968, Bin Laden inherited sev- Areas of achievement: Warfare and conquest, eral million dollars. military affairs, crime, government and politics Bin Laden was an intelligent and diligent student. He attended a prestigious preparatory school, the Al-Thager Early Life Model School, from 1968 to 1976. During that time, Osama Bin Laden (oh-SAH-mah bihn LAH-dihn) was he became increasingly attracted to the fundamentalist born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was one of a reported teachings of Sunni Islam. Bin Laden participated in Is- fifty-five children of Muhammed bin Awad bin Laden, a lamic study groups and supported radical groups such as Osama Bin Laden.
    [Show full text]
  • Why Do Americans Go Abroad to Fight in Foreign Conflicts?
    Calhoun: The NPS Institutional Archive DSpace Repository Theses and Dissertations 1. Thesis and Dissertation Collection, all items 2018-06 WHY DO AMERICANS GO ABROAD TO FIGHT IN FOREIGN CONFLICTS? Harris, Alphonso Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School http://hdl.handle.net/10945/59679 Downloaded from NPS Archive: Calhoun NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA THESIS WHY DO AMERICANS GO ABROAD TO FIGHT IN FOREIGN CONFLICTS? by Alphonso Harris June 2018 Thesis Advisor: Mohammed M. Hafez Second Reader: Daniel T. Cunningham Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited. THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Form Approved OMB REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instruction, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188) Washington, DC 20503. 1. AGENCY USE ONLY 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED (Leave blank) June 2018 Master's thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. FUNDING NUMBERS WHY DO AMERICANS GO ABROAD TO FIGHT IN FOREIGN CONFLICTS? 6. AUTHOR(S) Alphonso Harris 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING Naval Postgraduate School ORGANIZATION REPORT Monterey, CA 93943-5000 NUMBER 9. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND 10.
    [Show full text]