Maria Do Céu Pinto Arena
Biographic Data
| ID | 3075691 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Maria Do Céu Pinto Arena |
| GIVEN NAMES | Maria Do Céu Pinto |
| FAMILY NAME | Arena |
| SIGNATURE | ARENA M C P |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Minho |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-3083-3890 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 8 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 17 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1998 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Navigating Peacekeeping in a Contesting Order
How have successive US administrations engaged with United Nations (UN) peacekeeping amid growing transformation and contestation of the international order? Focusing on the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations, it analyses speeches, strategy documents, budget submissions, and UN interventions to compare patterns of financial support, mandate engagement, capacity-building, and strategic leverage. The article argues that US engagement with UN p…
Competing national roles
Sadc, Rwanda, and the AU
The US and EU Response to Tunisia’s Democratic Backsliding
The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) have not responded with sufficient urgency to the democratic backsliding in Tunisia as a result of President Kaïs Saïed’s reforms since July 2021. Promoting democracy and good governance abroad, once a cornerstone of the liberal order championed by both the US and the EU, appears to have diminished as a priority. The US’s and EU’s emphasis on security interests in their foreign policy has signifi…
Multiculturality against radicalisation in Belgium and Portugal
This article overviews the P/CVE policies of Belgium and Portugal and focuses on a case study at the municipal level of the cities of, respectively, Aalst and Lisbon. This analysis begins with a diagnosis of each country’s history of different types of violent extremism and highlights how each country has dealt with this phenomenon and whether they have national P/CVE plans. In the case of Belgium, since it is divided into regions and linguistic …
Portugal’s Challenging Relationship with China under Tense US/EU-China Relations
Portugal has a longstanding relationship with China and has benefited from the economic opportunities arising from closer economic ties with Beijing, especially in the wake of the 2011 international bailout and external assistance programme. Lisbon wants to do as much business with China as possible. On the other hand, the United States (US) is Portugal’s most important ally. Thus, Lisbon has found itself caught between conflicting great-power in…
Narratives modes and foreign policy change
This article sheds light on the way narratives translate into policy outcomes and enable foreign policy change. How is it that narratives shape foreign policy change? The analysis focuses on the public discursive strategy employed during the US Congress debate over the 60-day review period of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This article intends to contribute to the literature on policy narratives in International Relations (IR). I…
Italy’s involvement in PSO
What factors shape a state’s willingness to get involved in Peace Support Operations (PSO), a notoriously risky and costly activity? Do states contribute personnel out of a desire to support the cosmopolitan values embodied in PSO, or out of self-interested behaviour? Are those decisions based on normative, rule-based motivations, or rather on instrumental calculations of national interest? The end of the Cold War opened up new policy options for…
Changing foreign policy
This paper analyses the decision of the Obama administration to redirect its foreign policy towards Egypt in the wake of the Arab Spring. It attempts to highlight the issue of how governments deal with decision-making at times of crisis, and under which circumstances they take critical decisions that lead to major shifts in their foreign policy track record. It focuses on the process that led to a reassessment of US (United States) foreign policy…
Relations with North Africa
Portugal has remained quite distant from coastal North African states for many centuries. Having recently emerged as a prominent player across North Africa, Portugal’s current relationship with the Maghreb countries is unprecedented in its history. Lisbon has invested in building the Maghreb axis as a ‘new priority’ in the architecture of Portugal’s bilateral foreign policy. This policy already took off, and is now beyond the rhetorical plan, whe…
Portugal
Until recently, in per capita terms, Portugal was one of the most significant European contributors to international United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations around the world. In the last few years, European Union and NATO missions and operations have topped deployment to UN operations. One can thus state that participation in peace support operations (PSO) has become a lodestar of Portuguese defence and foreign policies. The range of forces d…
A Small State's Search for Relevance
During the cold war period, Portugal was largely absent from participation in United Nations Peacekeeping operations (UNPKO). However, since the end of the cold war, Portugal has reviewed its peacekeeping policy and has made a strong commitment to UN operations. The aim of this article is to determine Portugal's motives for participating in PKO, a costly and hazardous venture, especially for a small country with limited resources. I argue that Po…
Portugal's Intelligence Evolution in the Post-9/11 World
Two events have stepped up efforts by Portuguese authorities to cope with the terrorist threat: the 11 September 2001 (9/11) attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., and, especially, the Marc
Mapping the Obama administration's response to the Arab Spring
When the Arab Spring broke out, the United States was in a quandary over how to handle the crisis in its attempt to balance its moral obligations and ideals without undercutting its strategic interests and those of its close allies. Flaws in US diplomatic approach have contributed to one of the most serious foreign policy crisis for a US administration to date with consequential upheaval and erosion of the US-built balance of power. The reactions…
Turkey's Accession to the European Union in terms of impact on the EU's security and defense policies
This study explores the impact of Turkey's likely entry in the European Union (EU) in terms of the EU's foreign, security and defense policies. It reviews Turkish capabilities, namely its military capabilities, which could provide the EU with valuable defense assets. There are differences related to Turkey's relations with the EU, which have increasingly spilled over into the NATO, hindering the development of cooperation over crisis management o…
Some US concerns regarding Islamist and Middle Eastern terrorism
According to American intelligence and security assessments, the Middle East is the major source of state‐sponsored international terrorism. The perceived threat of Iran as a leading supporter of terrorism is substantially raised by reports that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons technology. Sudan continues to harbour members of some of the world's most violent organisations and was actively involved in the 1995 attempt to assassinate Egyptian Presi…
European and American responses to the algerian crisis
Until the recent massacres, the attitude of the international community towards the Algerian conflict has been one of passivity and silence. The European Union (EU) has remained a spectator to the crisis because there has been no agreement between the 15‐nation bloc on a political formula which would be accepted by the authorities in Algiers. EU countries are loath to act in any way that might weaken the regime as a bulwark against Islamic fundam…
A Small State's Search for Relevance
During the cold war period, Portugal was largely absent from participation in United Nations Peacekeeping operations (UNPKO). However, since the end of the cold war, Portugal has reviewed its peacekeeping policy and has made a strong commitment to UN operations. The aim of this article is to determine Portugal's motives for participating in PKO, a costly and hazardous venture, especially for a small country with limited resources. I argue that Po…
Mapping the Obama administration's response to the Arab Spring
When the Arab Spring broke out, the United States was in a quandary over how to handle the crisis in its attempt to balance its moral obligations and ideals without undercutting its strategic interests and those of its close allies. Flaws in US diplomatic approach have contributed to one of the most serious foreign policy crisis for a US administration to date with consequential upheaval and erosion of the US-built balance of power. The reactions…
Changing foreign policy
This paper analyses the decision of the Obama administration to redirect its foreign policy towards Egypt in the wake of the Arab Spring. It attempts to highlight the issue of how governments deal with decision-making at times of crisis, and under which circumstances they take critical decisions that lead to major shifts in their foreign policy track record. It focuses on the process that led to a reassessment of US (United States) foreign policy…
Portugal
Until recently, in per capita terms, Portugal was one of the most significant European contributors to international United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations around the world. In the last few years, European Union and NATO missions and operations have topped deployment to UN operations. One can thus state that participation in peace support operations (PSO) has become a lodestar of Portuguese defence and foreign policies. The range of forces d…
European and American responses to the algerian crisis
Until the recent massacres, the attitude of the international community towards the Algerian conflict has been one of passivity and silence. The European Union (EU) has remained a spectator to the crisis because there has been no agreement between the 15‐nation bloc on a political formula which would be accepted by the authorities in Algiers. EU countries are loath to act in any way that might weaken the regime as a bulwark against Islamic fundam…
Some US concerns regarding Islamist and Middle Eastern terrorism
According to American intelligence and security assessments, the Middle East is the major source of state‐sponsored international terrorism. The perceived threat of Iran as a leading supporter of terrorism is substantially raised by reports that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons technology. Sudan continues to harbour members of some of the world's most violent organisations and was actively involved in the 1995 attempt to assassinate Egyptian Presi…
Turkey's Accession to the European Union in terms of impact on the EU's security and defense policies
This study explores the impact of Turkey's likely entry in the European Union (EU) in terms of the EU's foreign, security and defense policies. It reviews Turkish capabilities, namely its military capabilities, which could provide the EU with valuable defense assets. There are differences related to Turkey's relations with the EU, which have increasingly spilled over into the NATO, hindering the development of cooperation over crisis management o…
Portugal's Intelligence Evolution in the Post-9/11 World
Two events have stepped up efforts by Portuguese authorities to cope with the terrorist threat: the 11 September 2001 (9/11) attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., and, especially, the Marc
Mapping the Obama administration's response to the Arab Spring
When the Arab Spring broke out, the United States was in a quandary over how to handle the crisis in its attempt to balance its moral obligations and ideals without undercutting its strategic interests and those of its close allies. Flaws in US diplomatic approach have contributed to one of the most serious foreign policy crisis for a US administration to date with consequential upheaval and erosion of the US-built balance of power. The reactions…
Portugal
Until recently, in per capita terms, Portugal was one of the most significant European contributors to international United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations around the world. In the last few years, European Union and NATO missions and operations have topped deployment to UN operations. One can thus state that participation in peace support operations (PSO) has become a lodestar of Portuguese defence and foreign policies. The range of forces d…
A Small State's Search for Relevance
During the cold war period, Portugal was largely absent from participation in United Nations Peacekeeping operations (UNPKO). However, since the end of the cold war, Portugal has reviewed its peacekeeping policy and has made a strong commitment to UN operations. The aim of this article is to determine Portugal's motives for participating in PKO, a costly and hazardous venture, especially for a small country with limited resources. I argue that Po…
Relations with North Africa
Portugal has remained quite distant from coastal North African states for many centuries. Having recently emerged as a prominent player across North Africa, Portugal’s current relationship with the Maghreb countries is unprecedented in its history. Lisbon has invested in building the Maghreb axis as a ‘new priority’ in the architecture of Portugal’s bilateral foreign policy. This policy already took off, and is now beyond the rhetorical plan, whe…
Changing foreign policy
This paper analyses the decision of the Obama administration to redirect its foreign policy towards Egypt in the wake of the Arab Spring. It attempts to highlight the issue of how governments deal with decision-making at times of crisis, and under which circumstances they take critical decisions that lead to major shifts in their foreign policy track record. It focuses on the process that led to a reassessment of US (United States) foreign policy…
Italy’s involvement in PSO
What factors shape a state’s willingness to get involved in Peace Support Operations (PSO), a notoriously risky and costly activity? Do states contribute personnel out of a desire to support the cosmopolitan values embodied in PSO, or out of self-interested behaviour? Are those decisions based on normative, rule-based motivations, or rather on instrumental calculations of national interest? The end of the Cold War opened up new policy options for…
Narratives modes and foreign policy change
This article sheds light on the way narratives translate into policy outcomes and enable foreign policy change. How is it that narratives shape foreign policy change? The analysis focuses on the public discursive strategy employed during the US Congress debate over the 60-day review period of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This article intends to contribute to the literature on policy narratives in International Relations (IR). I…
Portugal’s Challenging Relationship with China under Tense US/EU-China Relations
Portugal has a longstanding relationship with China and has benefited from the economic opportunities arising from closer economic ties with Beijing, especially in the wake of the 2011 international bailout and external assistance programme. Lisbon wants to do as much business with China as possible. On the other hand, the United States (US) is Portugal’s most important ally. Thus, Lisbon has found itself caught between conflicting great-power in…
Multiculturality against radicalisation in Belgium and Portugal
This article overviews the P/CVE policies of Belgium and Portugal and focuses on a case study at the municipal level of the cities of, respectively, Aalst and Lisbon. This analysis begins with a diagnosis of each country’s history of different types of violent extremism and highlights how each country has dealt with this phenomenon and whether they have national P/CVE plans. In the case of Belgium, since it is divided into regions and linguistic …
The US and EU Response to Tunisia’s Democratic Backsliding
The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) have not responded with sufficient urgency to the democratic backsliding in Tunisia as a result of President Kaïs Saïed’s reforms since July 2021. Promoting democracy and good governance abroad, once a cornerstone of the liberal order championed by both the US and the EU, appears to have diminished as a priority. The US’s and EU’s emphasis on security interests in their foreign policy has signifi…
Navigating Peacekeeping in a Contesting Order
How have successive US administrations engaged with United Nations (UN) peacekeeping amid growing transformation and contestation of the international order? Focusing on the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations, it analyses speeches, strategy documents, budget submissions, and UN interventions to compare patterns of financial support, mandate engagement, capacity-building, and strategic leverage. The article argues that US engagement with UN p…
Competing national roles
Sadc, Rwanda, and the AU
Political science (14 works) · Law (11 works) · Politics (11 works) · Foreign policy (9 works) · Economics (8 works) · Law (8 works) · Political economy (7 works) · Sociology (7 works) · Global Peace and Security Dynamics (6 works) · Geography (5 works)