The College of Political Science at the University of Baghdad, at exactly 9:00 AM on Thursday, February 26, 2026, held a discussion in (Al-Hurriya) Hall for the doctoral dissertation titled: “The Impact of Strategic Preparedness on Adopting Deterrence Principles Under Nuclear Threat: A Comparative Study of Extended Deterrence and Tailored Deterrence.” The thesis, submitted by student Maha AbdulKarim Zainel and comprising four chapters, was attended by several professors, researchers, and postgraduate students. The dissertation examined the impact of strategic readiness on the ability of nuclear powers to adopt deterrence principles, specifically extended deterrence and tailored (modified) deterrence, as prominent pillars of nuclear doctrine. The study’s significance stems from the hazardous nature of nuclear weaponry and its existential threat to international security and global stability, in addition to the roles played by major nuclear powers—such as the United States, the Russian Federation, and the People’s Republic of China—in shaping global deterrence balances. The dissertation reached several conclusions, most notably that strategic preparedness serves as a central variable in formulating deterrence principles. Its impact is manifested on two levels: the first concerns a state’s capacity to defend itself against direct aggression, while the second relates to its ability to protect strategic allies and partners under its nuclear umbrella.
The examination committee consisted of:
- Professor Dr. Hala Khalid Hameed – Chairperson
- Professor Dr. Faiq Hassan Jassim – Member
- Professor Dr. Mohammed Hamdan Masalha – Member
- Assistant Professor Dr. Dunia Jawad Mutlag Najm – Member
- Assistant Professor Dr. Salim Gaatea Ali – Member
- Professor Dr. Saad Obaid Alwan – Member and Supervisor It is noted that the scientific experts approved the dissertation’s eligibility for defense.
Following an extensive academic discussion, the thesis was accepted, and the student was awarded a PhD in Political Science with a grade of “Very Good.”
