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- Title
- THE DISPARITY OF MILITARY POWER BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE AND ITS EFFECT ON TRANSTALANTIC DEFENSE PROJECT COOPERATION.
- Creator
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Johnson, John-Michael, Houghton, David, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study investigated what determines successful transatlantic defense policy cooperation and how that cooperation can reduce the military capability gap between the United States and its European NATO allies. It examines the differing defense policies and defense capabilities between the United States and its European NATO allies. Several theories in International Relations were also used as a foundation for the argument that cooperation is needed. The approach to defense policy is very...
Show moreThis study investigated what determines successful transatlantic defense policy cooperation and how that cooperation can reduce the military capability gap between the United States and its European NATO allies. It examines the differing defense policies and defense capabilities between the United States and its European NATO allies. Several theories in International Relations were also used as a foundation for the argument that cooperation is needed. The approach to defense policy is very different between the United States and Europe. The strategic vision of the world of both parties differs as well. Policy, doctrine and defense projects are all taken into consideration and analyzed. Based on the results of the analysis of policy and doctrines, the policy recommendation is that there should be more cooperation on defense policy planning, military doctrine and defense projects conducted in the effective fashion of current successful cases. The European NATO members will also need to cooperate on such policy if the military capability gap is to be lessened.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002417, ucf:47762
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002417
- Title
- Not-So Splendid Isolation: an IPE Study of Iranian Sanction Busting.
- Creator
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Rilea, Ryan, Sadri, Houman, Morales, Waltraud, Bledsoe, Robert, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study analyzes the US sanction regime imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran. This single case study assesses its weaknesses and shortcomings in order to present a preliminary conclusion of the character of Iranian policies to bust the US sanctions regime. In charting the evolution of the US sanction regime through three distinct (")waves(") of sanctions the study highlighted the general shortcomings of the regime. First, the US sanction regime has failed to impose significant costs on...
Show moreThis study analyzes the US sanction regime imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran. This single case study assesses its weaknesses and shortcomings in order to present a preliminary conclusion of the character of Iranian policies to bust the US sanctions regime. In charting the evolution of the US sanction regime through three distinct (")waves(") of sanctions the study highlighted the general shortcomings of the regime. First, the US sanction regime has failed to impose significant costs on Iran. Second, the slow pace of unveiling each new wave of sanctions failed to bring the necessary immediate pressure on Iran. Third, the inability of the US to gain sufficient multilateral support has limited the scope of the sanctions. These failures has allowed the Iranian leadership to construct a viable counterstrategy to bust US sanctions and continue the stalemate over the conflict of an Iranian foreign policy based on supporting Hamas and Hezbollah and the continued secrecy of its nuclear program. The Iranian counterstrategy has been centered on a domestic economic policy of autonomy, the courting of states outside the US sanction regime through the use of its valuable energy resources and the procurement of sanctioned goods through regional third party states.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004288, ucf:49468
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004288
- Title
- FOREIGN INFLUENCES ON CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE REMILITARIZATION: THE UNITED STATES, NORTH KOREA, AND CHINA.
- Creator
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Lee, Allison, Sadri, Houman, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
After surrendering in World War II, Japan's new American-crafted constitution forced the formerly imperialistic country into pacifism. In accordance with Article 9 of the constitution, Japan was to be completely demilitarized and was therefore barred from keeping a standing military of its own. Over the course of the seven decades that have passed since the implementation of Supreme Commander MacArthur's nonviolent constitution, Japan has slowly regained military strength. Rather than being...
Show moreAfter surrendering in World War II, Japan's new American-crafted constitution forced the formerly imperialistic country into pacifism. In accordance with Article 9 of the constitution, Japan was to be completely demilitarized and was therefore barred from keeping a standing military of its own. Over the course of the seven decades that have passed since the implementation of Supreme Commander MacArthur's nonviolent constitution, Japan has slowly regained military strength. Rather than being the direct result of domestic politics and civic wishes, however, the rearmament of Japan has come as a result of foreign influences. Namely, the United States, North Korea, and China have forced the docile country to recoup its former martial power. Without these three countries' actions over the years, Japan would never have had the backing or reasoning to rearm itself. The intent of this thesis is to explore the various actions that these three countries have taken that have led to Japan's remilitarization. By taking a historical and chronological approach, this thesis will examine the actions each country has taken since the end of World War II and how they have gone on to spur Japan's rearmament. Actions, such as domestic policy changes, military activities, and public announcements by the three countries, will be analyzed alongside Japan's reactionary policies and responses.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH2000254, ucf:45934
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000254
- Title
- DEATH AND DISENGAGEMENT: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITYÃÂ'S INTERVENTION EFFORT IN DARFUR.
- Creator
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Hodges, Victor, Ezekiel, Walker, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis seeks to analyze the international community's conflict management capabilities through its response to the Darfur crisis. Primarily, it aims to show through the lens of the Darfur crisis, which is widely accepted as the first genocide of the twenty-first century, that the international community has yet to develop a framework to collectively intervene in and resolve crimes against humanity. Additionally, this thesis will show the international community's recognition of...
Show moreThis thesis seeks to analyze the international community's conflict management capabilities through its response to the Darfur crisis. Primarily, it aims to show through the lens of the Darfur crisis, which is widely accepted as the first genocide of the twenty-first century, that the international community has yet to develop a framework to collectively intervene in and resolve crimes against humanity. Additionally, this thesis will show the international community's recognition of their shortcomings through the gradual transformation of policies undertaken by several of its leading entities in response to the crisis. The research will pinpoint several major factors behind the lack of a unified global community acting in Darfur, such as geopolitical fragility between major international organizations, fragmentation caused by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the global War on Terror which occurred concurrently with the genocide in Darfur, and the underlying political and economic alliances that many major countries including the United States and China, enjoy with the Government of Sudan. The work will focus specifically on the United States, the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union, analyzing the actions of each respective group in facilitating an end to the Darfur conflict. Ultimately, this thesis will use the research to conclude that the international community was willing to accept the Darfur genocide, with its death toll nearing four-hundred thousand and well over two million internally displaced peoples, in order to advance their respective global interests and preserve the status quo of global affairs in the early twenty-first century.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003385, ucf:48442
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003385
- Title
- THE COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS AND RELATED EXPERIENCES ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSRACIALLY ADOPTING A CHILD FROM VIETNAM.
- Creator
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Malin, Lan-Marie, Musambira, George, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study investigated the communication experiences of adoptive parents of children transracially adopted from Vietnam. Though adoption has been extensively studied in communication research, transracial adoptions involving children from Vietnam has not. Thus, this study examined adoptive parent communication experiences using dialectic theory and relational dialectics. By examining adoptive parentsÃÂ' communication with their adopted child and others, we can...
Show moreThis study investigated the communication experiences of adoptive parents of children transracially adopted from Vietnam. Though adoption has been extensively studied in communication research, transracial adoptions involving children from Vietnam has not. Thus, this study examined adoptive parent communication experiences using dialectic theory and relational dialectics. By examining adoptive parentsÃÂ' communication with their adopted child and others, we can determine tensions that occur in different communication experiences. Data were collected through eight qualitative in-depth interviews conducted with adoptive parents of children from Vietnam. Openness with both strangers and the adopted child(ren) and preservation of key aspects of the adopted childrenÃÂ's original culture emerged as themes in adoptive parent communication. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003535, ucf:48967
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003535
- Title
- IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM: DOMESTIC IMPLICATIONS.
- Creator
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Serrano, Manuel A, Sadri, Houman, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The intent for this thesis is to explain and inform the process of the Iranian Nuclear Program throughout the last decades. The stand of the Islamic Republic of Iran has brought very delicate issues and confrontations to the international community. This thesis discusses the history of key countries that play an important part into developing the Iranian nuclear program. These countries being the United States, Israel, Russia and other countries part of the UN Security Council. This thesis...
Show moreThe intent for this thesis is to explain and inform the process of the Iranian Nuclear Program throughout the last decades. The stand of the Islamic Republic of Iran has brought very delicate issues and confrontations to the international community. This thesis discusses the history of key countries that play an important part into developing the Iranian nuclear program. These countries being the United States, Israel, Russia and other countries part of the UN Security Council. This thesis also attempts to analyze and focuses on the domestic policies the government of Iran and its people have interacted with the nuclear deal. The nuclear deal between the UN Security Council members and the Islamic Republic of Iran have shown an array of acceptance and rejection within, specially, the United States, Arab countries in the region and Israel. The implementations of the solution to future confrontation are probably the main ideal to a healthy international community who can adapt to new measures and policies to a safer world. Using classical realist theory, based on Hans J. Morgenthau realist theory, the Iranian nuclear program could be explained with a different perspective. There are other international relations theories that could help explaining Iran's government behavior and how it interacts with the international community. Iran's move in the past years has shown progress towards the international community and has lowered the potential military action against Iran. Some countries like Israel continue on the dissatisfaction against the nuclear deal signed by Iran and the UN Security Council member countries. This thesis will show the behavior the country of Iran has had towards other countries based on their domestic policy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000137, ucf:45961
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000137
- Title
- IRAN-SAUDI DYNAMIC RELATIONS AND THE ROLE OF OMAN AS A NEGOTIATOR.
- Creator
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Ikerd, Natalie, Sadri, Houman, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis analyzes Iran-Saudi relations in the context of growing regional hostility. This research encompasses the domestic and foreign policies enacted by both states since 1979, accompanying a discussion of the historical background of their ties. Moreover, the future prospects of their relations regarding the utilization of Oman as a neutral negotiator for regional conflicts are examined. The significant contributing factors of each state to such dynamic ties include: the leadership,...
Show moreThis thesis analyzes Iran-Saudi relations in the context of growing regional hostility. This research encompasses the domestic and foreign policies enacted by both states since 1979, accompanying a discussion of the historical background of their ties. Moreover, the future prospects of their relations regarding the utilization of Oman as a neutral negotiator for regional conflicts are examined. The significant contributing factors of each state to such dynamic ties include: the leadership, national security, religion- politics connection, and their reaction to global instability indicators. Recently, Iran- Saudi hostility has been worsening due to their policies in the region in reaction to regional events. Thus, some may argue that the outlook of success for Omani role in negotiating between the two is seemingly less likely. The relations of these two Persian Gulf regional powers need to be examined further for future prospects.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004900, ucf:45492
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004900
- Title
- THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BASIS OF THREAT PERCEPTION AND ITS EFFECT ON THE USE OF FORCE BY US PRESIDENTS.
- Creator
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Kazazis, Collin J., Schafer, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis creates a new variable for threat perception built upon psychological concepts and then applies this new variable to the question of why leaders use military force in certain situations. The concept of threat perception has a long history in the field in terms of its effect on leaders choosing to use military force. However, while the concept of threat perception is inherently psychological, previous proxies for the variable have included only situational factors, which is highly...
Show moreThis thesis creates a new variable for threat perception built upon psychological concepts and then applies this new variable to the question of why leaders use military force in certain situations. The concept of threat perception has a long history in the field in terms of its effect on leaders choosing to use military force. However, while the concept of threat perception is inherently psychological, previous proxies for the variable have included only situational factors, which is highly problematic. By utilizing the Operational Code, this study creates a new threat-perception variable based on cognitive constructs. Using a sample of US presidents, this new variable is tested in two different ways. The first examines three psychological characteristics (need for power, in-group bias, and distrust) from Leadership Trait Analysis that are thought to influence the level of threat perception in a leader. The second examines threat perception as an explanatory variable for the use of force alongside three other important control variables (economic violence, presidential popularity, and US power). The use of force variable is derived from Meernik's Use of Force dataset with each case in the dataset representing an opportunity to use force. The psychological data are derived from the verbal material of US presidents using at-a-distance methods found in the literature. OLS regression and probit are used to model the research questions. The project finds that levels of threat perception are indeed affected by a leader's level of distrust, in-group bias, and need for power. In addition, the new psychologically-derived threat-perception variable is a very good predictor of a president's use of force: presidents with higher levels of threat perception have a much higher probability of using force when the situation presents an opportunity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000559, ucf:45649
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000559
- Title
- GOVERNMENTS' ADOPTION OF NATIVE CRYPTOCURRENCY: A CASE STUDY OF IRAN, RUSSIA, AND VENEZUELA.
- Creator
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Mahdavieh, Rose, Turcu, Anca, Mousseau, Demet, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The emergence of digital currency is becoming prevalent in the age of globalization - specifically, cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies and blockchain are two recently discovered concepts currently being explored by researchers and developers. Cryptocurrency is a subset of digital currency that encompasses revolutionary technology, shifting political and economic spheres in nation-states. Certain governments are more prone to the adoption of cryptocurrencies and three comparative case study...
Show moreThe emergence of digital currency is becoming prevalent in the age of globalization - specifically, cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies and blockchain are two recently discovered concepts currently being explored by researchers and developers. Cryptocurrency is a subset of digital currency that encompasses revolutionary technology, shifting political and economic spheres in nation-states. Certain governments are more prone to the adoption of cryptocurrencies and three comparative case study countries, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, have shared attributes that result in adoption. Observed factors that result in the adoption of cryptocurrencies include corruption, GDP level, economic volatility, and Western sanctions. These factors will be applied in the case study countries to analyze the adoption of native government-backed cryptocurrency.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000502, ucf:45630
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000502
- Title
- Immortal Stalemate: U.S.-Iranian Relations (&) the Diversionary Theory of War.
- Creator
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Hosseinzadeh, Namdar, Houghton, David, Morales, Waltraud, Dolan, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Plagued by diverging security interests, the United States and Iran have been unable to formally reestablish diplomatic relations since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Since 1989, the political environment in Iran underwent drastic changes with the passing of Ayatollah Khomeini. For the next sixteen years Iranian presidents attempted to normalize relations with the U.S. through various political, economic and social initiatives. It appeared as though the hostile relationship between the two...
Show morePlagued by diverging security interests, the United States and Iran have been unable to formally reestablish diplomatic relations since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Since 1989, the political environment in Iran underwent drastic changes with the passing of Ayatollah Khomeini. For the next sixteen years Iranian presidents attempted to normalize relations with the U.S. through various political, economic and social initiatives. It appeared as though the hostile relationship between the two countries was slowly becoming friendly. With the emergence of controversial populist president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the years of diplomatic progress between the U.S. and Iran were quickly reversed. In this comprehensive study of U.S.-Iranian relations, the various reasons behind the current diplomatic stalemate between the two countries will be thoroughly explored using the Graeme Davies's interpretation of the Diversionary Theory of War. The study covers the length of time starting from 1989 and concludes with an overview of U.S.-Iranian relations in 2012. Unlike previous works on this subject matter, the study at hand is not a mere historiography of U.S-Iranian relations. On the contrary, this study provides a qualitative analysis of domestic factors in both countries that strongly influence their foreign policy decisions. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explain the reasons behind Iranian rapprochement efforts in a structured analytical manner.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004693, ucf:49877
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004693
- Title
- IRANIAN FEMINISM: A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ITS IMPACT AND FUTURE.
- Creator
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Eskamani, Anna, Sadri, Houman, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
For the casual observer, the term "Iranian feminist" is often considered to be an oxymoron. However, what seems to be an ironic juxtaposition actually holds a great length of truth: for over a century now, Iranian women have been marching, screaming, and fighting for equal gender rights - all the while embracing feminist ideals. In fact, "feminity" is a political symbol that has been influencing Iranian politics for over 150 years. From the very beginning of modern Iranian history, women have...
Show moreFor the casual observer, the term "Iranian feminist" is often considered to be an oxymoron. However, what seems to be an ironic juxtaposition actually holds a great length of truth: for over a century now, Iranian women have been marching, screaming, and fighting for equal gender rights - all the while embracing feminist ideals. In fact, "feminity" is a political symbol that has been influencing Iranian politics for over 150 years. From the very beginning of modern Iranian history, women have always played a pivotal role within Iranian history, constantly connecting the personal to the political. This research aims to explore this phenomenon as an independent movement and as one comparable to American feminism. Three main topics are explored: theocratic restrictions, culture, and globalization. There are three methods of research that I have utilized as resources for this study: previous studies, statistical data, and interviews. The purpose of this study is to understand why and how feminism is increasing within the anti-feminist regime of the IRI. This study holds both theoretical and political significance and is designed to predict the future status of Iranian feminism through examining the conditions of the past and present.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0003701, ucf:44737
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003701
- Title
- Turning Away From Your Slavic Brother: The Effects Of Identity On Relations Between Russia And Belarus.
- Creator
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Matejka, Matt, Morales, Waltraud, Dolan, Thomas, Houghton, David, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
On September 24, 2011, it was announced that Putin would run for president once again in 2012. The reaction in the West was that (")the more things change, the more they stay the same.(") The Western conception of the post-Cold War Russia is often one of remarkable consistency since the turn of the century. This Western narrative focuses on an autocratic Putin reigning over his resurgent and confrontational Russia. Does this narrative tell the story of Russia today, or does it instead obscure...
Show moreOn September 24, 2011, it was announced that Putin would run for president once again in 2012. The reaction in the West was that (")the more things change, the more they stay the same.(") The Western conception of the post-Cold War Russia is often one of remarkable consistency since the turn of the century. This Western narrative focuses on an autocratic Putin reigning over his resurgent and confrontational Russia. Does this narrative tell the story of Russia today, or does it instead obscure it? To answer this I have elected to analyze Russian identity and how it relates to Russia's foreign policy with Belarus, traditionally a close ally of Russia. Analyzing news articles from state-owned Russia Today, I look at changes in reporting and Russian identity over time. I argue that a shift in Russian identity towards a more liberal outlook between 2006 and 2010 motivated a degradation of relations with Belarus. I argue that once the simplified narrative of a resurgent Russia is peeled back, a closer look reveals competing identities and competing interest groups in Russia's domestic arena. Finally I conclude that not only does identity play a pivotal role in Russia's relations, but also that researching identity is important in that it gives us a window into a fairly closed regime that lies at the center of the global stage. Discovering how Russian identity reacts to and influences foreign policy can offer insight into the domestic framework of contemporary Russia, as well as offer us an understanding of how central ideas are to crafting the world around us.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004249, ucf:49542
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004249
- Title
- AN EXAMINATION OF CENTRAL ASIAN GEOPOLITICS THROUGH THE EXPECTED UTILITY MODEL: THE NEW GREAT GAME.
- Creator
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Stutte, Corey, Wan, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The New Great Game is a geopolitical competition between regional stakeholders over energy resources in Central Asia. The author seeks to use the expected utility voting model based on Black's median voter theorem for forecasting the New Great Game in Central Asia. To judge the external validity of the voting model, the author uses data from the Correlates of War project data set, to formulate three distinct models based only on the numbers in 1992 and 1993. Capabilities and alliance data...
Show moreThe New Great Game is a geopolitical competition between regional stakeholders over energy resources in Central Asia. The author seeks to use the expected utility voting model based on Black's median voter theorem for forecasting the New Great Game in Central Asia. To judge the external validity of the voting model, the author uses data from the Correlates of War project data set, to formulate three distinct models based only on the numbers in 1992 and 1993. Capabilities and alliance data were used to develop balance of power positions and compare the outcome of 100 simulations to the actual outcome in 2000 based on Correlates of War project data. This allows us to judge whether the emergence of Russia's weak advantage as well as the continuation of the competition in the New Great Game as of 2000 could have been predicted based on what was known in 1992 and 1993. By using only one year's data to forecast the New Great Game, we are able to eliminate historical and researcher bias and judge the applicability of the model in global policy and strategic analysis.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002861, ucf:48088
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002861