Biography

Scott Fitzsimmons, B.P.A.P.M., M.A., (Carleton), Ph.D. (Calgary), specializes in the behaviour of armed forces and the use of force in contemporary conflicts. Before joining the University of Limerick's Department of Politics and Public Administration in 2013, he was a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He has also taught at the Universities of Victoria and Calgary. His primary research interests include developing and testing theories of how armed forces behave in conflict zones, combat operations involving mercenaries and private security companies, psychological approaches to foreign policy decision-making, public attitudes toward defence spending and the use of force by the Government of Canada, government responses to terrorism, and the sources of combat stress experienced by the operators of remotely piloted combat vehicles.

Research Interests

Fitzsimmons' most recent book, Private Security Companies during the Iraq War (Routledge, 2015), focuses on and compares the activities of the US companies Blackwater and Dyncorp. Despite sharing several important characteristics, such as working for the same client (the US State Department) during the same time period, the employees of Blackwater fired their weapons far more often, and killed and seriously injured far more people in Iraq than their counterparts in DynCorp. In order to explain this disparity, the book undertakes the most comprehensive analysis ever attempted on the use of violence by the employees of these firms. Based on extensive empirical research, it offers a credible explanation for this difference: Blackwater maintained a relatively bellicose military culture that placed strong emphasis on norms encouraging its personnel to exercise personal initiative, proactive use of force, and an exclusive approach to security, which, together, motivated its personnel to use violence quite freely against anyone they suspected of posing a threat. Specifically, Blackwater's military culture motivated its personnel to fire upon suspected threats more quickly, at greater distances, and with a greater quantity of bullets, and to more readily abandon the people they shot at when compared to DynCorp's personnel, who maintained a military culture that encouraged far less violent behaviour. Utilizing the Private Security Company Violent Incident Dataset (PSCVID), created by the author in 2012, the book draws upon data on hundreds of violent incidents involving private security personnel in Iraq to identify trends in the behaviour exhibited by the employees of different firms. Based on this rich and original empirical data, the book provides the definitive study of contemporary private security personnel in the Iraq War.

His previous book, Mercenaries in Asymmetric Conflicts (Cambridge University Press, 2012), argues that small mercenary groups must maintain a superior military culture to successfully engage and defeat more numerous and better-equipped opponents. By developing and applying competing constructivist and neorealist theories of military performance to four asymmetric wars in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, he demonstrates how mercenary groups that strongly emphasize behavioral norms encouraging their personnel to think creatively, make decisions on their own, take personal initiative, communicate accurate information within the group, enhance their technical proficiency, and develop a sense of loyalty to their fellow fighters will exhibit vastly superior tactical capabilities than other mercenary groups. He also demonstrates that, although the victorious mercenary groups occasionally had access to weapon systems unavailable to their opponents, the balance of material capabilities fielded by the opposing military forces had far less influence on the outcome of these asymmetric conflicts than the culturally determined tactical behavior exhibited by their personnel.

In collaboration with Allan Craigie (UBC) and Marc Andre Bodet (Laval), he has recently published an article examining public attitudes toward defence spending and the use of force by the Government of Canada.

In collaboration with Arjun Chowdhury (UBC), he has recently published an article explaining why many states tend to react excessively to terrorist attacks, and why these excessive reactions tend to be highly inefficient.

Finally, he is currently undertaking empirical research into how well private security companies adhere to the tenets of just war theory as well as psychological approaches to foreign policy decision making.

Professional Activities

Award

  • 2011 - Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • 2007 - Izaak Killam Doctoral Scholarship
  • 2005 - Journal of Military and Strategic Studies Society for Military and Strategic Studies Award of Excellence
  • 2004 - Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canadian Graduate Scholarship
  • 2004 - Doctoral Scholarship
  • 2004 - Faculty of Graduate Studies' Dean's Entrance Scholarship
  • 2004 - Dean's Research Excellence Award
  • 2004 - Ontario Graduate Scholarship
  • 2003 - Ontario Graduate Scholarship
  • 2003 - Dean of Graduate Studies Entrance Scholarship for Academic Excellence
  • 2003 - Joubin-Selig Scholarship
  • 2003 - Graduate Entrance Scholarship
  • 2003 - University Medal in Public Affairs and Policy Management
  • 2003 - Prince Memorial Prize for Academic Excellence from Department of Public Affairs and Policy Management
  • 2002 - 'Dean's List' for Undergraduate Academic Achievement
  • 2002 - President's Scholarship
  • 2001 - 'Dean's List' for Undergraduate Academic Achievement
  • 2001 - President's Scholarship
  • 2000 - 'Dean's List' for Undergraduate Academic Achievement
  • 2000 - President's Scholarship
  • 1999 - 'Dean's List' for Undergraduate Academic Achievement
  • 1999 - President's Scholarship

Association

  • 2006 Member, International Studies Association
  • 2006 Member, Canadian Political Science Association
  • Member, British International Studies Association

Other

  • Reviewed Articles for:
    International Journal
    Conflict Management and Peace Science
    The Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
    The UBC Journal of International Affairs
    Innovations: A Journal of Politics

  • For access to the latest iteration of the Private Security Company Violent Incident Dataset (PSCVID), please contact me at scott.fitzsimmons@ul.ie
  • As ISA Canada Co-organizer of the International Relations Section of the 2019 Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference, I reviewed approximately 100 paper proposals and assembled 36 panels.

Outreach

  • Interview on the Election of Donald Trump and the Future of Irish International Relations. Limerick Today. Limerick Live95FM. November 17, 2016.
  • Featured guest on the 'Nato, Neutrality, Debates and Protests' episode of The Dark State podcast, hosted by The Sunday Times' Crime and Security Correspondent, John Mooney. June 29, 2023.
  • Interviewed on Ireland's military alignment for 'The Big Neutrality or Nato Debate.' The Business Post. June 18, 2023.
  • Interviewed on Irish defence spending for 'Decades of Underfunding have Left this Country Dangerously Exposed.' The Business Post. June 18, 2023.
  • Interviewed on the security risks posed by Canadian and other Western ex-military pilots providing advanced aerial combat training to Chinese military pilots for 'Des Pilotes Chinois Entraînés par des Occidentaux.' La Presse. November 3, 2022.
  • Interviewed on whether Ireland should consider joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for 'Should Ireland Debate Joining Nato and Abandoning ‘Neutrality'?' The Irish Examiner. May 23, 2022.
  • Interviewed on the risks to Ireland in the event that the Government of Russia decides to launch a nuclear strike for 'In Light of Vladimir Putin's Thinly-Veiled Nuclear Threats, What Would Happen if there was a Nuclear Strike on Ireland or The UK?' The Irish Independent. September 26, 2022.
  • Interviewed on the University of Limerick's response to a temporary bus shortage within Limerick that undermined students' ability to access campus for RTE News at One. RTE News. September 30, 2021.
  • Interview on the political relevance and legacy of the1983 nuclear war film, 'Threads,' for Why 'Threads' Is Still Relevant in 2019. An Focal. February 5, 2019.
  • Interview on North Korea's claimed test of a hydrogen/thermonuclear bomb. Limerick Today. Limerick Live95FM. September 5, 2017.
  • Interview on Donald Trump's poor relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Limerick Today. Limerick Live95FM. June 5, 2017.

Peer Reviewed Journals

2022

Personality and adherence to international agreements: The case of President Donald Trump

Fitzsimmons S. (2022) Personality and adherence to international agreements: The case of President Donald Trump. International Relations :40-60

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2020

Contracting Blowback?: The Use of Violence by Private Security Companies and Insurgents during the Iraq War

Fitzsimmons S. (2020) Contracting Blowback?: The Use of Violence by Private Security Companies and Insurgents during the Iraq War. Studies In Conflict &Amp; Terrorism

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2020

Personality and Adherence to International Agreements: The Case of President Donald Trump

Scott Fitzsimmons (2020) Personality and Adherence to International Agreements: The Case of President Donald Trump. International Relations

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2019

The Role of Personality in Canada's Burden Sharing Decisions during Coalition Combat Operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

Scott Fitzsimmons (2019) The Role of Personality in Canada's Burden Sharing Decisions during Coalition Combat Operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Canadian Foreign Policy Journal

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2015

Just War Theory and Private Security Companies

Scott Fitzsimmons (2015) Just War Theory and Private Security Companies. International Affairs :1069-1084

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2014

Canadian Public Opinion about the Military: Assessing the Influences on Attitudes toward Defence Spending and Participation in Overseas Combat Operations

Scott Fitzsimmons, Allan Craigie, and Marc-Andre Bodet (2014) Canadian Public Opinion about the Military: Assessing the Influences on Attitudes toward Defence Spending and Participation in Overseas Combat Operations. Canadian Journal Of Political Science-Revue Canadienne De Sc :503-518

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2013

Privatizing the Struggle against Somali Piracy

Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) Privatizing the Struggle against Somali Piracy. Small Wars & Insurgencies :84-102

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2013

Wheeled Warriors: Explaining Variations in the use of Violence by Private Security Companies in Iraq

Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) Wheeled Warriors: Explaining Variations in the use of Violence by Private Security Companies in Iraq. Security Studies :707-739

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2013

When Few Stood against Many: Explaining Executive Outcomes' Victory in the Sierra Leonean Civil War

Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) When Few Stood against Many: Explaining Executive Outcomes' Victory in the Sierra Leonean Civil War. Defence Studies :245-269

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2013

Effective but Inefficient: Understanding the Costs of Counterterrorism

Arjun Chowdhury and Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) Effective but Inefficient: Understanding the Costs of Counterterrorism. Critical Studies on Terrorism :447-456

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2010

Canadian Security Threats beyond Terrorism

Scott Fitzsimmons (2010) Canadian Security Threats beyond Terrorism. Journal of Military and Strategic Studies :100-129

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2009

A Rational-constructivist Explanation for the Evolution and Decline of the Norm against Mercenarism

Scott Fitzsimmons (2009) A Rational-constructivist Explanation for the Evolution and Decline of the Norm against Mercenarism. Journal of Military and Strategic Studies

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2005

Toward a Comprehensive Theory of War Making in the Developing World: A Review Essay

Scott Fitzsimmons (2005) Toward a Comprehensive Theory of War Making in the Developing World: A Review Essay. Journal of Military and Strategic Studies

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2005

Dogs of Peace: A Potential Role for Private Military Companies in Peace Implementation

Scott Fitzsimmons (2005) Dogs of Peace: A Potential Role for Private Military Companies in Peace Implementation. Journal of Military and Strategic Studies

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Books

2015

Private Security Companies in the Iraq War: Military Culture and the Use of Deadly Force

Scott Fitzsimmons (2015) Private Security Companies in the Iraq War: Military Culture and the Use of Deadly Force. London, UK : Routledge

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2012

Mercenaries in Asymmetric Conflicts

Scott Fitzsimmons (2012) Mercenaries in Asymmetric Conflicts. New York, NY : Cambridge University Press

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2009

Fighting the Simba Rebellion: Cultural, Technological and Strategic Determinants of Military Performance in Asymmetrical Conflicts

Scott Fitzsimmons (2009) Fighting the Simba Rebellion: Cultural, Technological and Strategic Determinants of Military Performance in Asymmetrical Conflicts. Winnipeg, MB : Centre for Defence and Security Studies, University of Manitoba

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Book Chapters

2014

The Market for Force in the United States

Scott Fitzsimmons (2014) The Market for Force in the United States. Philadelphia, PA : University of Pennsylvania Press Markets for Force

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2005

Dogs of Peace: A Potential Role for Private Military Companies in Peace Implem entation

Scott Fitzsimmons (2005) Dogs of Peace: A Potential Role for Private Military Companies in Peace Implem entation. Calgary, AB : Society for Military and Strategic Studies Perspectives on War Vol. 3 :111-146

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Edited Books

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Other Journals

2018

Review of Security Entrepreneurs: Performing Protection in Post-Cold War Europe by Alexandra Gheciu

Scott Fitzsimmons (2018) Review of Security Entrepreneurs: Performing Protection in Post-Cold War Europe by Alexandra Gheciu. E-International Relations

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2014

Review of "The Morality of Private War: The Challenge of Private Military and Security Companies" by James Pattison

Scott Fitzsimmons (2014) Review of "The Morality of Private War: The Challenge of Private Military and Security Companies" by James Pattison. Political Studies Review

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2014

Review of "The Thistle and the Drone: How America's War on Terror became A Global War on Tribal Islam" by Akbar Ahmed

Scott Fitzsimmons (2014) Review of "The Thistle and the Drone: How America's War on Terror became A Global War on Tribal Islam" by Akbar Ahmed. Political Studies Review

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2013

Review of "Europe without Soldiers?: Recruitment and Retention across the Armed Forces of Europe", edited by Christian Leuprecht and Tibor Szvircsev Tresch

Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) Review of "Europe without Soldiers?: Recruitment and Retention across the Armed Forces of Europe", edited by Christian Leuprecht and Tibor Szvircsev Tresch. Canadian Foreign Policy Journal :238-239

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2009

Shadow Warriors: Shedding Light on Private Security Contractors in Afghanistan

Scott Fitzsimmons (2009) Shadow Warriors: Shedding Light on Private Security Contractors in Afghanistan. Vanguard :26-27

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2008

Culture Clash: The Influence of Behavioural Norms on Military Performance in Asymmetric Conflicts

Scott Fitzsimmons (2008) Culture Clash: The Influence of Behavioural Norms on Military Performance in Asymmetric Conflicts. Innovations: A Journal of Politics :99-142

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2007

Evaluating the Masters of Strategy: A Comparative Analysis of Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, Mahan, and Corbett

Scott Fitzsimmons (2007) Evaluating the Masters of Strategy: A Comparative Analysis of Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, Mahan, and Corbett. Innovations: A Journal of Politics :27-40

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2006

Review of "The International Self" by Mira Sucharov

Scott Fitzsimmons (2006) Review of "The International Self" by Mira Sucharov. Journal of Military and Strategic Studies

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2006

Publish and Flourish: The Benefits of Student Publishing in Political Science

Scott Fitzsimmons (2006) Publish and Flourish: The Benefits of Student Publishing in Political Science. Innovations: A Journal of Politics :vii-viii

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2006

A Private Solution to a Humanitarian Catastrophie: Mercenaries in Darfur

Scott Fitzsimmons (2006) A Private Solution to a Humanitarian Catastrophie: Mercenaries in Darfur. Vanguard :18-20

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2005

Review of "Ghosts of Medak Pocket" by Carol Off

Scott Fitzsimmons (2005) Review of "Ghosts of Medak Pocket" by Carol Off. Canadian Military Journal :87-88

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Conference Publications

2023

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2023) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2023

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2023) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2018

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons and Miruna Barnoschi (2018) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2018

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons (2018) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2017

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2017) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2016

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2016) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2015

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2015) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2015

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons (2015) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2014

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons and Karina Sangha (2014) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2014

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2014) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2014

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons and Karina Sangha (2014) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2014

British International Studies Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2014) British International Studies Association Annual Conference.

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2013

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons, Marc-Andre Bodet, and Allan Craigie (2013) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2013

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons and Karina Sangha (2013) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2013

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons and Karina Sangha (2013) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2012

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2012) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2012

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons (2012) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2012

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons (2012) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2011

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2011) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2011

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons (2011) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2010

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons and Daniel Fitzsimmons (2010) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2010

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons (2010) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2009

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons (2009) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2009

International Studies Association Annual Convention

Scott Fitzsimmons (2009) International Studies Association Annual Convention.

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2009

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2009) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2008

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2008) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2008

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2008) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2007

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2007) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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2007

Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference

Scott Fitzsimmons (2007) Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference.

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Conference Contributions

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Published Reports

2023

Opening Statement to the Joint Committee on European Affairs on ‘EU Defence and Security'

Scott Fitzsimmons (2023) Opening Statement to the Joint Committee on European Affairs on ‘EU Defence and Security'. Houses of the Oireachtas, Dublin : Oireachtas Éireann

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Editorials

2016

Evidence Points to Trump Administration Not Being as Radical as Campaign Rhetoric

Scott Fitzsimmons (2016) Evidence Points to Trump Administration Not Being as Radical as Campaign Rhetoric. The Irish Examiner

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2016

US Parties Need to Change Selection Process

Scott Fitzsimmons (2016) US Parties Need to Change Selection Process. Business Post

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2013

Why is Guantanamo Bay still Open?

Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) Why is Guantanamo Bay still Open?. The Journal.ie

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2013

The Reality of Drone Warfare – Is it Really a Costless Conflict?

Scott Fitzsimmons and Karina Sangha (2013) The Reality of Drone Warfare – Is it Really a Costless Conflict?. The Journal.ie

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2013

What Role does Oil Play in Modern Day Wars?

Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) What Role does Oil Play in Modern Day Wars?. The Journal.ie

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2013

What Lessons have been Learned from the Iraq War?

Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) What Lessons have been Learned from the Iraq War?. The Journal.ie

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Book Reviews

2015

The Morality of Private War: The Challenge of Private Military and Security Companies

Fitzsimmons, S (2015) The Morality of Private War: The Challenge of Private Military and Security Companies. Political Studies Review :585-586

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2015

The Thistle and the Drone: How America's War on Terror Became a Global War on Tribal Islam

Fitzsimmons, S (2015) The Thistle and the Drone: How America's War on Terror Became a Global War on Tribal Islam. Political Studies Review :98-99

Read more

Other Publications

2016

Evidence Points to Trump Administration Not Being as Radical as Campaign Rhetoric

Scott Fitzsimmons (2016) Evidence Points to Trump Administration Not Being as Radical as Campaign Rhetoric. The Irish Examiner

Read more
2016

US Parties Need to Change Selection Process

Scott Fitzsimmons (2016) US Parties Need to Change Selection Process. Business Post

Read more
2015

The Morality of Private War: The Challenge of Private Military and Security Companies

Fitzsimmons, S (2015) The Morality of Private War: The Challenge of Private Military and Security Companies. Political Studies Review :585-586

Read more
2015

The Thistle and the Drone: How America's War on Terror Became a Global War on Tribal Islam

Fitzsimmons, S (2015) The Thistle and the Drone: How America's War on Terror Became a Global War on Tribal Islam. Political Studies Review :98-99

Read more
2014

Mercenaries and Private Security Companies

Scott Fitzsimmons (2014) Mercenaries and Private Security Companies. : Wiley-Blackwell Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology

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2013

What Role does Oil Play in Modern Day Wars?

Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) What Role does Oil Play in Modern Day Wars?. The Journal.ie

Read more
2013

What Lessons have been Learned from the Iraq War?

Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) What Lessons have been Learned from the Iraq War?. The Journal.ie

Read more
2013

Why is Guantanamo Bay still Open?

Scott Fitzsimmons (2013) Why is Guantanamo Bay still Open?. The Journal.ie

Read more
2013

The Reality of Drone Warfare – Is it Really a Costless Conflict?

Scott Fitzsimmons and Karina Sangha (2013) The Reality of Drone Warfare – Is it Really a Costless Conflict?. The Journal.ie

Read more
2008

The Peloponnesian War

Scott Fitzsimmons (2008) The Peloponnesian War. New York, NY : Facts on File The Encyclopedia of World History Vol. I: The Ancient World – Prehistoric Eras to 600 CE

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2008

Roman Legionaries

Scott Fitzsimmons (2008) Roman Legionaries. New York, NY : Facts on File The Encyclopedia of World History Vol. I: The Ancient World – Prehistoric Eras to 600 CE

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2008

Lief Ericson

Scott Fitzsimmons (2008) Lief Ericson. New York, NY : Facts on File The Encyclopedia of World History Vol. II: The Expanding World – 600 CE to 1450 CE

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2008

Viking Warfare: Iceland

Scott Fitzsimmons (2008) Viking Warfare: Iceland. New York, NY : Facts on File The Encyclopedia of World History Vol. II: The Expanding World – 600 CE to 1450 CE

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2008

Erwin Rommel

Scott Fitzsimmons (2008) Erwin Rommel. New York, NY : Facts on File The Encyclopedia of World History Vol. V: Crisis and Achievement – 1900 to 1950

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2008

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Scott Fitzsimmons (2008) North Atlantic Treaty Organization. New York, NY : Facts on File The Encyclopedi a of World History Vol. VI: The Contemporary World – 1950 to the Present

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