Student Theses

As part of the NSA curriculum, some students are required to write theses. This page lists the students and thesis titles for theses written in the NSA Department that won awards. The students and awards given are listed by quarter. Descriptions of the awards are located at the end of this page.

Full copies of the thesis are available here: http://edocs.nps.edu/npspubs/scholarly/theses/

Winter Quarter, March 2010

• Maj. David Lopez, USAF, “Coaxing the Peace: Reassurance Strategy in the 21st Century,” (L)
• Maj. Matthew van Hook, USAF, “Congress and National Security,” (AF)
• Maj. Jung Soo Kim, Korea, “Reassurance Strategy: Incentives for Use and Conditions for Success,” (IS)
• Maj. Charles Raedinger, USMC, “The Failure to Fully Integrate the Federally Administered Tribal Areas,” (SSTR)
• Maj. C. Everett Lilya, USAF, “A Comparative Study of How European Union States Extend Voting Rights to Immigrant,” (OT)
• Lt. Nathan A. Feezor, USN, “Chinese Crisis Decision-Making,” (OT)

Fall Quarter, December 2009

• Mr. Matthew P. Dearing, Civilian, “Agency and Structure as Determinants of Female Suicide terrorism: a comparative study of three conflict regions,” (L)
• Lt. Bonceul Koo, Korea, “The impact of changes in state identity on alliance cohesion in Northeast Asia,” (IS)
• Maj. Gianstefano C. Martin, USA, “The Dhimmi narrative a comparison between the historical and the actual in the context of Christian-Muslim relations in Egypt today,” (JS)
• Maj. Arnold C. Baldoza, USAF, “Assessing domestic right-wing extremism using the theory of collective behavior,” (OT)
• Maj. Benjamin C. Busch, USAF, “Cognitive bargaining model: an analysis tool for third party incentives?” (OT)
• Maj. Philip M. Geelhood, USAF, “Deterrence of nuclear terrorism via post-detonation attribution: is the United States on target?” (OT)
• Maj. Christian D. Kane, USAF, “Key issues in the emerging U.S. debate on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty,” (OT)
• Maj. David E. Williams, USAF, “Iran's nuclear program: an assessment of the threat to the United States,” (OT)
• LT. Lars Zimmerman, “Germany, Britain, France and Germany: priorities for the European Union's security and defense policy,” (OT)

AY 2008-2009

Summer Quarter, September 2009

• LCDR Aaron W. Park, USN, “U. S. Navy Seabees as a Stability Asset,” (SSTR)
  

Spring Quarter, June 2009

• Capt. Heather R. Crooks, USAF, “Transatlantic Relations: The Role of Nationalism in Multinational Space Cooperation,” (DoD)
• Lt. Andres J. Aviles, USN, “Impacts of Japanese Colonialism on State and Economic Development, and its Implications for Democracy,” (L)
• Lt. Col. Carsten Busch, German Air Force, “The Policy of the Bhara tiya Janata Party (BJP) Between 1980 an d 2008 and the Possible influence of Hindu Nationalism on Indian Politics,” (IS)
• Lt. Samuel D. Bell, USN, “China’s 094 SSBN Program: Benefits, Problems, and International Response,” (OT)
• Lt. Nathaniel D. Rightsell, USN, “Strategic Objectives: Contextual understanding of the Expanding Russian-Venezuelan Relationship,” (OT)
• Lt. Col. Marc-Andre Walther, Germany Army, “Hamas between Violence and Pragmatism,” (OT)

Winter Quarter, March 2009

• Lt. Alisha Hamilton, USN, “Feasibility of Increased Naval Security Cooperation in the Eastern Pacific between the U.S., Chile and Peru” (NL)
• Capt. Casey Hayden, USAF, “A Hierarchy of Needs in the Study of International Relations” (DoD,OT)
• Maj. Ryan C. Hall, USAF, “Japan’s Ballistic Missile Defense Program: Implications for Tokyo’s Future Security Policy,” (L)
• Capt. Christopher R. Mullins, USAF, “State Capacity and Resistance in Afghanistan” (AF, OT)
• Capt. Steve C. Taylor, USAF, “The NATO Special Operations Forces Transformation Initiative: Opportunities and Challenges,” (SSTR)
• Capt. David M. Ware, USAF, “Securing the Peace after Civil War,” (OT)
• Maj. Eric d. Trismen, USAF, “Assessing the Potential for Interstate Conflict between Chile and Peru: A Political Economy Approach,” (OT)

Fall Quarter, December 2008

• Lt. Jeffrey D. Betz USN, “An Institutional Assessment of Ethnic Conflict in China,” (NL, L, OT)
• Maj. Matthew E. McQuinn, USAF, “Energy Regulation Effects on Critical Infrastructure Protection,” (DoD, OT)
• Lt. j.g. Ioannis Kizanis, Hellenic Navy, “Probable Cause for Maritime Interdiction Involving Illicit Radioactive Materials”, (I, IS, OT)
• Maj. Brendan C. Bartlett USAF, “Norm Emergence and Humanitarian Intervention,” (OT)
• Maj. Jason J. Cockrum, USN, “The Economic Impact of the Homeland Security Advisory System: The Cost of Heightened Border Security,” (OT)
• Maj. Allen Thibeaux, USAF, “Nuclear and Solar Energy: Implications for Homeland Security,” (OT)

AY 2007-2008

Summer Quarter, September 2008

• Lt. Cmdr. James A. McMullin, USN, “Made in China: Policy Analysis and Prescription to Improve China’s Consumer Product Safety Regulatory Regime,” (NL, L)
• Lt. Cmdr. Chad G. Wahlin, USN, “U.S. Democratization Strategy: Origins and Obstacles,” (SSTR)

Spring Quarter, June 2008

• Lt. Mark Munson, USN, “Port Security in the Persian Gulf,” (NL, OT)
• Cmdr. Stephan Juetten, German Navy, “North Korea’s Juche Ideology in the Light of the German Unification Experience,” (IS, I, OT)
• Lt. Cmdr. Corey Johnston, USN, “Assessing China’s Encroachment in the Indian Ocean,” (L)
• Maj. Shaio Hui Zerba, USAF, “The PRC’s Oversees Chinese Policy,” (AF)
• Capt. Christopher N. Stelle, USA, “Importance of Informal Relationships Formed Throughout an Intelligence Officers Career,” (JS)

Winter Quarter, March 2008

• Lt. Raja G. Hussain, USN, “Badal: A Culture of Revenge. The Impact of Collateral Damage on Taliban Insurgency,” (NL, winner)
• Col. Valentin Simion, Romanian Army, “The Presence of the American Troops in Romania: Civil-Military Challenges Beyond a “Military Relationship,” (I, IS)
• Maj. Thomas J. O’Connell, Jr., USAF, “Reconstruction in Afghanistan,” (AF, OT)
• Capt. Robert H. Gregory, Jr., USA, “Army Transformation and the Future Combat System,” (OT)
• Lt. Daniel A. Hancock, USN, “The Olive Branch and the Hammer: A Strategic Analysis of Hawala in the Financial War on Terrorism,” (OT)
• Maj. James J. Smith, USA, “U.S. Post-Conflict Integration Policy of Militias in Iraq,” (OT)

Fall Quarter, December 2007

• Lt. Cmdr. Matthew C. Tritle, US, “The Future of the PLA Navy: Implications of an Expansive Maritime Strategy,” (NL winner, L, OT)
• Maj. Raymond M. Mattox, USA, “A Comparative Analysis of U.S. Counter Insurgency Doctrine,” (DoD)
• Maj. Eyup Coskun, Turkish Army, “From Oil Wells to Institution Building: An Approach for Fair Oil Distribution in Iraq,” (I)
• Maj. Markus Thomas Schmid, Swiss Army, “The Concept of Comprehensive Security: A Distinctive Feature of a Shared Security Culture in Europe,” (IS)
• Lt. Cmdr. Ferdinand Hafner, USN, “Cognitive Biases, Consensus Politics, and Structural Failures in United States Foreign Policy: Explaining the Decision Making Process Directing Transition Operations in Iraq,” (OT)
• Lt. Cmdr. Ron Terrell, USN, “Islamic Banking: Facilitating Terrorism or Meeting Economic Demand?,” (OT)
• Maj. Jason Bock, USAF, “Expanding Cooperation in Nonproliferation Activities,” (OT)
• Maj. Christopher L. Corley, USAF, “Atrocities in War: Their Effect on Public Opinion,” (OT)

AY 2006-2007

Summer Quarter, September 2007

• Maj. Shane A. Smith, USAF, “Leadership Transition in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: Implications for Policy and Stability in Central Asia,” (DoD winner, L)
• Capt. Sasa Konjevic, Bosnian Army, “The Role of the U.S. Based Bosnian Diaspora in the Postwar Stabilization and Reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Force for Good or Evil?,” (I)
• Maj. Steven E. Maceda, USAF, “Dysfunction Junction: Intelligence, Peacekeeping, and the United Nations,” (OT)
• Lt. Scott Nietzel, USN, “The Falklands War: Understanding the Power of Context in Shaping Argentine Strategic Decisions,” (OT)

Spring Quarter, June 2007

• Maj. Edward W. Novack, USMC, “Criminals and Insurgents: The Role of Ethnicity in State Responses to Internal Resource Competitors,” (NL, OT)
• Maj. Tad D. Vannaman, USAF, “European Security and Defense Policy: The Dialectics of Autonomy,” (DoD, OT)
• Lt. Col. Stephan Doering, German Army, “The European Union’s Policy Regarding Peace and Security in Sub-Saharan Africa since the End of the Cold War: Concepts and Realization,” (I,OT)
• Maj. Gregory W. Lewis, USMC, “Taking Jihad out of the Hands of Infidels,” (L)
• Lt. Col. Michael Stolzke, German Air Force, “Post Conflict – A Chance for Democracy,” (IS)
• Col. Frank Reimers, German Navy, “Security Culture in Times of War: How did the Balkan War Change the Security Cultures in Germany and the United States?,” (OT)
• Maj. Michael A. Davis, USA, “Egalite ou Realite: Where do Muslims Truly Reside in Today’s France?,” (OT)

Winter Quarter, March 2007

• Capt. John M. Chamberlin, V, USAF, “Inventing a Clash of Civilizations: An Arabic Historiography of the Crusades,” (DoD, L)
• Maj. Jungsoo Kim, Korean Air Force, “The Proactive Grand Strategy for Consensual and Peaceful Korean Unification,” (I winner, IS)
• Col. Omar F. A. Khoury, Jordanian Army, “A Theory of State Behavior under Threat: The Tragedy of Domestic Realism,” (OT)
• Lt. Col. Corneliu Fuior, Moldovan Army, “The Europeanization of the Eastern Europe: The EU’s Norm Diffusion Through the European Neighborhood Policy,” (OT)
• Capt. Nicole C. Manseau, USAF, “Peace Enforcement Operations in Africa: Deterring Spoilers,” (OT)
• Capt. Jarad L. van Wagoner, USAF, “The Demise of Russian Health Capital: Overcoming the Continuity of Ineffective Government Policy,” (OT)

Fall Quarter, December 2006

• Lt. Edward James Mason, USN, “DoD’s Use of Iraqi Exiles,” (NL)
• Capt. Terence James Vance, USAF, “Constructing a Regional Order: Northeast Asia and the Systemic Constraints on Korean Unification,” (DoD, NL, OT)
• Maj. Alexus G. Grynkevich, USA, “The Use of Air Power for Maritime Defense,” (AF)
• Maj. Brian Grant Quillen, USAF, “Democracy - A Tree without Roots on the Steppes of Central Asia,” (AF)

AY 2005-2006

Summer Quarter, 2006

• Maj. Jack L. Sine, II, USAF, “Technology Disparity and Coalition Structures,” (DoD, OT)
• Lt. Cmdr. Rakesh Kumar, Indian Navy, “Indian Nuclear Command and Control Dilemma,” (IS, I)
• Lt. Col. Johnny R. Hall, Jr., USA, “WMD Elimination: The Military Capability Gap of the New Arms Control Paradigm,” (OT)

Spring Quarter, June 2006

• Lt. Warren D. Smith, USN, “Avoiding Downward Security Spirals in Northeast Asia: The Gradual Transition to a “Normalized” Japan,” (NL, OT)
• Maj. Suzanne Streeter, USAF, “The Serbian Orthodox Church in Post-Milosevic Serbia - Member of a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ towards Achieving a Pluralistic Civil Society?,” (DoD, OT)
• Mr. Airis Rikveilis, MOD—Latvia, “Un-Mastered Past: Latvia and Russia: Bilateral Issues of Statecraft 2003-2006,” (I, OT)
• Capt. Robert C. Hunter, USMC, “Brothers or Rivals: Iran and Iraq’s Shia,” (L, OT)
• Cmdr. j.g. Frank Schneider, German Navy, “Hizb uf-Tahrir: A Threat Behind a Legal Façade?,” (IS)
• Maj. Ty L. Groh, USAF, “Central Authority versus Pashtunwali,” (AF, OT)
• Maj. Peter M. Fesler, USAF, “The Evolution of Indian Air Force Tactics and Training,” (OT)

Winter Quarter, March 2006

• Maj. William D. Casebeer, USAF, “Force and Culture Change: The Perils and Prospects of Military Intervention as a Means of Changing Socially Transmitted Behaviors,” (DoD, AF, OT)
• Maj. Andrea Hlosek, USF, “The Impact of the Colored Revolutions on Russian Foreign Policy in its Near Abroad,” (L)
• Mr. Armen Abelyan, MOD—Armenia, “Russia’s National Interests in the Transcaucasus and the US Policy: Implications for Armenian National Security,” (I)
• Mr. Valentin Fernan Filip, MOD-Romania, “The Intelligence Phenomenon in a New Democratic Milieu: Romania – A Case Study,” (OT)
• Maj. Lynn Winward, USAF, “Innovation in Japan’s Self-Defense Force,” (OT)

NPS-wide (nominated) and NSA Department Awards :

Monterey Council Navy League Award or Highest Academic Achievement (NL):

The award is presented quarterly to graduating USN, USMC, USCG, or NOAA student who has maintained an outstanding academic record as exhibited by academic achievement, thesis research, motivation, and community involvement (Thesis Required).

Naval Postgraduate School Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for International Students (I):

Presented quarterly to a graduating military or civilian non-U.S. citizen student who has exhibited outstanding academic achievement, conducted notable thesis research, maintained motivation and a serious interest in the community, and who has interacted well with other students in the interest of international alliance (Thesis Required).

Naval Postgraduate School Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for Department of Defense Students (DoD):

Award presented quarterly to a graduating U.S. military or a civilian student (other than USN or USMC) who has maintained an outstanding academic record as exhibited by academic achievement, thesis research, motivation, and community involvement (Thesis Required).

Departmental Awards:

Liskin Award for Excellence in Regional Security Studies (L):

The award is presented quarterly to the graduating U.S. military or civilian student in the Department of National Security Affairs for the outstanding thesis in regional security studies based on the quality of the thesis, evaluated in terms of its overall scholarly achievement, or outstanding service to the Armed Forces or the Department of Defense (Thesis Required).

The International Student Award for Excellence in Regional or Security Studies (IS):

The award is presented quarterly to the graduating International military officer or civilian student in the Department of National Security Affairs for academic performance evaluated in terms of overall scholarly achievement.

The Outstanding United States Air Force Graduate Award, Department of National Security Affairs (AF):

The award is presented quarterly to the graduating USAF military officer in the Department of National Security Affairs for academic performance evaluated in terms of overall scholarly achievement.

The Hans Jones Award for Excellence in Thesis Research in Special Operations & Irregular Warfare or Security, Stabilization, Transition and Reconstruction (SSTR):

The award is presented quarterly to a resident graduating officer in the Defense Analysis Department or National Security Affairs Department for the outstanding thesis in intelligence, irregular warfare, special operations, combating terrorism, counterinsurgency, SSTR or homeland defense, based on the quality of the research and overall scholarly achievement (Thesis Required).

Association of the United States Army, General Joseph W. Stilwell Chapter, Award for Outstanding Army Student (JS):

The award is presented quarterly to the resident graduating U.S. Army (Active or Reserve) student who has maintained an outstanding academic record at the Naval Postgraduate School as well as being actively involved in the local community while positively representing the U.S. Army. This award is presented on the basis of academic achievement, thesis research, military bearing, motivation, and community involvement (Thesis Required).

Outstanding Thesis Award (OT):

The award is presented each quarter to the top 10% of thesis students.