Military Training Mission in Iraq: An Exploratory Case Study Research

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how military training is being conducted by NATO coalition forces in Iraq. Thus, the intent of this paper is to discuss the implications of existing misalignments between the military forces that are providing the training and those receiving it. To that end, we have used an exploratory case study research, which included multiple sources of data collection for corroboration and triangulation purposes. The results that emerged from the content analysis showed two types of outcomes that may be relevant to improve the military training in Iraq. The first outcome is identified as the intangible actions, which were mainly focused on social relations, with the intent of narrowing the cultural gap between the international coalition and Iraqi forces. Without surprising, a second outcome is identified as tangible actions, which were associated with training programs and the establishment of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) relevant to small and medium military units. Future research should focus on programs of “training the trainers” in order to develop long-term teaching and move forward with sustainable Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

OP30 Lyophilised orally administered faecal microbiota transplantation for Active Ulcerative Colitis (LOTUS study)

Background Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) administered via the lower GI tract effectively induces remission in ulcerative colitis (UC). Orally administered FMT capsules may improve patient tolerability and facilitate maintenance therapy while it is unclear if pre-FMT antibiotics enhance therapeutic efficacy. Methods We performed a dual-centre randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral lyophilised FMT in adults with mild-moderately active UC (total Mayo 4–10). All subjects received 2-weeks of pre-FMT antibiotics (amoxycillin, metronidazole and doxycycline) before 1:1 randomisation to either oral FMT (0.35g stool content per capsule from 1 of 2 healthy donors) or identical placebo for 8 weeks. Enforced tapering and cessation of corticosteroids was mandated. The primary endpoint was week 8 steroid-free clinical remission with endoscopic remission or response (total Mayo score ≤2 with subscores ≤ 1 for rectal bleeding, stool frequency and endoscopic appearance, and ≥1-point reduction from baseline in endoscopy subscore). Responders to FMT induction were re-randomised to either continue maintenance FMT or withdrawal of FMT with final outcomes assessed at week 56. Results Recruitment was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 37 patients were randomised. Baseline patient and disease characteristics were balanced between the randomised groups. The primary outcome was achieved in 8/16 (50%) receiving FMT versus 3/19 (16%) receiving placebo (OR: 4.63; 95%CI: 1.74–12.30; P=0.002). Steroid-free clinical remission rates and endoscopic remission rates were 69% vs 26% (P=0.012) and 44% vs 16% (P=0.074) in the FMT and placebo arms, respectively. Reported SAE were worsening colitis (2 FMT, 1 placebo) and PR bleeding relating to previous anal surgery (placebo). Ten patients entered the maintenance withdrawal study. Steroid-free clinical, endoscopic and histologic remission was achieved in 4/4 patients who continued daily oral FMT, with all 6 patients randomised to FMT withdrawal having a flare of disease with a median time to relapse of 6 months. Conclusion Oral lyophilised FMT following antibiotic pre-treatment for mild-moderately active ulcerative colitis was associated with a significant increased rate of clinical remission with endoscopic remission or response versus antibiotic treatment alone at week 8. Pre-treatment antibiotics had an additive impact upon treatment efficacy compared with previous studies utilising FMT. Maintenance FMT therapy was associated with sustained clinical, endoscopic and histologic remission at week 56. Treatment was well tolerated and there were no new safety signals related to FMT therapy

Iran's Security Challenges and the Region

This report focuses on Iran, its security, and its role in the region, especially the complex interaction between Iran¿s nuclear intentions and the concerns of regional and outside powers. It was the product of discussions at a colloquium sponsored by the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination following the visit of U.S. President George Bush to Europe during the spring of 2005 during which it emerged that the US may follow and support the EU3¿s negotiation endeavor with Iran regarding the nuclear issue, up to a certain point. The report evaluates tensions pertaining to Iran, its concerns, the region, and the other powers in three ways (1) assessing the parties¿ respective real minimum and maximum positions, including the respective concerns and critical interests at stake, (2) examining existing programs and projects in light of a possible adaptation to a deteriorating situation, (3) suggesting possible development of completely new initiatives, such as multilateral ownership of nuclear research and energy facilities on Iranian territory, with an eye to the challenge of balancing national pride and certain international security concerns

Traversing more than speed bumps: Green politics under authoritarian regimes in Burma and Iran

© 2006 Taylor & FrancisIt is generally assumed that in the era of globalisation politics crosses borders at will. While the borders of some nation-states are mere speed bumps to the rapid movement of transnational capital and other commodities - including ideas - the borders of other nation-states remain less permeable. The success of transnational crossings, or the manifestations thereof, will obviously be determined by national difference (and this cannot be overstated), but also by the type of political regime which governs particular nation-states. This article seeks to redress an imbalance in the literature by seeking to understand how the politics of environmental concern have crossed into the hinterlands of two authoritarian regimes: Burma and Iran. It examines the political challenges faced under repressive regimes and investigates activists' attempts at addressing human and environmental security issues, as well as more narrow, post-materialist green agendas. Green movements under authoritarian regimes are often in the vanguard of democracy movements - clearly visible in the first flush of civil society itself - but in both Burma and Iran the prospects for this outcome are less assured, with the Iranian regime in particular using environmentalism to consolidate existing power structures.Timothy Doyle and Adam Simpso