Dr. Mariya Y. Omelicheva
Social and Behavioral Sciences - Political ScienceProfessor, Department of Political Science
omeliche@ku.edu
Primary office:
Dr. Mariya Y. Omelicheva holds PhD (2007) in Political Science from Purdue University and JD in International Law (2000) from Moscow National Law Academy. Dr. Omelicheva's research and teaching interests include international and Eurasian security, counterterrorism and human rights, democracy promotion in the post-Soviet territory, Russia's foreign and security policy, and terrorism/crime nexus in Eurasia. She has published on these subjects in Terrorism and Political Violence, Europe-Asia Studies, International Journal of Human Rights, Central Asia Survey, Cambridge Review of International Relations, and other journals. She is the author of Counterterrorism Policies in Central Asia (Routledge 2011), which received an Outstanding Academic Title award by Choice, Democracy in Central Asia: Competing Perspectives and Alternate Strategies(University Press of Kentucky 2015), and Webs of Corruption: Trafficking and Terrorism in Central Asia( Columbia University Press, 2019, with Lawrence Markowitz), and editor of Nationalism and Identity Construction in Central Asia: Dimensions, Dynamics, and Directions (Lexington 2015).
Teaching Interests
- International Relations Theory
- Intro to International Relations
- International Organization
- Eurasian security
- Russian foreign policy
- International human rights
- Laws of War
- Foreign Policy Analysis
- Terrorism/Trafficking Nexus
Research
Dr. Omelicheva's research and teaching interests include international and Eurasian security, counterterrorism and human rights, democracy promotion in the post-Soviet territory, Russia's foreign and security policy, and terrorism/crime nexus in Eurasia. She has published on these subjects in Terrorism and Political Violence, Europe-Asia Studies, International Journal of Human Rights, Central Asia Survey, Cambridge Review of International Relations, and other journals. She is the author of Webs of Corruption: Trafficking and Terrorism in Central Asia (Columbia University Press, 2019, with Lawrence Markowitz), Counterterrorism Policies in Central Asia (Routledge 2011), which received an Outstanding Academic Title award by Choice, and Democracy in Central Asia: Competing Perspectives and Alternate Strategies (University Press of Kentucky 2015), and editor of Nationalism and Identity Construction in Central Asia: Dimensions, Dynamics, and Directions (Lexington 2015).
Research Interests
- Eurasian security, Russian foreign policy, counterterrorism and human rights, international human rights, and democracy promotion
- Human trafficking and organized crime
Selected Publications
Markowitz, Lawrence, and Maria Omelicheva. Webs of Corruption: Trafficking and Terrorism in Central Asia. Books. Columbia University Press, 2019.
Omelicheva, Maria. “A New Russian Holiday Has More Behind It Than National Unity: The Political Functions of Historical Commemorations.” Journal Articles. Australian Journal of Politics and History 63, no. 3 (2017): 429–41.
Omelicheva, Maria. “Eurasia’s CSTO and SCO: A Failure to Address the Trafficking/Terrorism Nexus.” Other. PONARS Eurasia, January 2017. http://www.ponarseurasia.org/memo/eurasia-csto-and-sco-failure-address-t... .
Omelicheva, Maria. “How Central Asia Understands Democracy.” Journal Articles. New East Europe 6, no. XXIX (2017): 25–30.
Omelicheva, Maria. “Islamist Activity in Kazakhstan.” Reports. American Foreign Policy Council’s World Almanac of Islamism, 2017.
Omelicheva, Mariya, Brittnee Carter, and Luke Campbell. “Military Aid and Human Rights: Assessing the Impact of U.S. Security Assistance Programs on CiviliansΓÇÖ Rights in the Situations of Conflict.” Journal Articles. Political Science Quarterly 132, no. 1 (2017): 119–44.
Ahmed, Ranya, and Maria Omelicheva. “Religion and Politics: Examining the Impact of Faith on Political Participation.” Journal Articles. Religion, State & Society, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1080/09637494.2017.1363345.
Omelicheva, Maria. “Review of the Book Alexander Dukalskis, The Authoritarian Public Sphere: Legitimation and Autocratic Power in North Korea, Burma, and China.” Book Reviews. Review of Politics , 2017.
Omelicheva, Maria. “Review of the Book David Cadier and Margot Light (Eds.), Russia?ÇÖs Foreign Policy: Ideas, Domestic Politics and External Relations, Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2015.” Book Reviews. European Review of International Studies, 2017.
Omelicheva, Maria. “Review of the Book Kyrgyzstan Beyond ‘Democracy Island’ and ‘Failing State’: Social and Political Changes in a Post-Soviet Society, Eds. Marlene Laruelle and Johan Engvall.” Book Reviews. Slavic Review, 2017.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “RussiaΓÇÖs Counterterrorism Policy: Variations on an Imperial Theme.” Book Chapters. In The Palgrave Handbook of Global Counterterrorism Policy, edited by Scott Romaniuk, 515–34. Palgrave, 2017.
Omelicheva, Maria. “U.S. Security Assistance to Central Asia: Examining Limits, Exploring Opportunities.” Other. PONARS Eurasia , 2017.
“ΓÇ£The U.S. Has a Long History of Hacking Other DemocraciesΓÇ¥ .” Other. The Washington Post, November 19, 2016. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/12/20/the-u-s-ha... .
Omelicheva, Maria. “ΓÇ£Uzbekistan. Stable Transition into Volatile Future".” Other. New Eastern Europe, August 15, 2016. http://neweasterneurope.eu/articles-and-commentary/2123-uzbekistan-stabl... .
Omelicheva, Maria. “RussiaΓÇÖs ΓÇÿChecks and BalancesΓÇÖ On KazakhstanΓÇÖs Quest for Military Independence.” Reports. Russian Analytical Digest, July 2016. http://www.css.ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/special-interest/gess/cis/center... .
Omelicheva, Maria. “ΓÇ£A Trafficking-Terrorism Nexus in Central AsiaΓÇ¥ .” Web Publishing (article, blog, etc.). The Diplomat, May 30, 2016. http://thediplomat.com/2016/06/a-trafficking-terrorism-nexus-in-central-... .
Omelicheva, Mariya Y, and Lidiya Zubytska. “An Unending Quest for RussiaΓÇÖs Place in the World: The Discursive Co-Evolution of the Study and Practice of International Relations in Russia.” Journal Articles. New Perspectives: Interdisciplinary Journal of CEE Politics & IR 24, no. 1 (2016). http://ceenewperspectives.iir.cz/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/2.NP_2016_01... .
Crandall, Chris, Ryan Beasley, Mariya Omelicheva, and Owen Cox. “Covert Operations, Wars, Detainee Destinations, and the Psychology of Democratic Peace.” Journal Articles. Journal of Confict Resolution, 2016.
Omelicheva, Maria. “Critical Geopolitics on Russian Foreign Policy: Uncovering the Imagery of MoscowΓÇÖs International Relations.” Journal Articles. International Politics 53, no. 6 (2016): 708–26.
Omelicheva, Maria. “Islam and Power Legitimation: Instrumentalisation of Religion in Central Asian States.” Journal Articles. Contemporary Politics 22, no. 2 (2016): 144–63.
Omelicheva, Maria. “Review of the Book Suslov, Mikhail, and Mark Bassin, Eds. Eurasia 2.0: Russian Geopolitics in the Age of New Media. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2016.” Book Reviews. The Russian Review, 2016.
O’Lear, Shannon, Thomas Heilke, Eric Hanley, and Mariya Omelicheva. “This IsnΓÇÖt Your Usual Obstacle Course: Critical Pedagogy with Special Operations Forces.” Journal Articles. Geoforum 75 (2016): 159–67.
Omlicheva, Mariya. “The Multiple Faces of Islamic Rebirth in Central Asia .” Book Chapters. In New Approaches to Area Studies in the Global Era: Community, Place, Identity. Northern Illinois University Press, 2015.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. Democracy in Central Asia? Competing Perspectives and Alternate Strategies. Books. University of Kentucky Press, 2015.
Omelicheva, Maria. “Terrorism/Crime Nexus in Central Asia: Implications for Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism.” Reports. Hedayah, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2015.
Omlicheva, Maria. “Eye on the International Image: TurkmenistanΓÇÖs Nation Branding.” Book Chapters. In Nationalism and Identity in Central Asia. Lexington Press, 2014.
Omlicheva, Maria. Nationalism and Identity Construction in Central Asia: Dimensions, Dynamics, and Directions. Books, 2014.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Competing Perspectives on Democracy and Democratization: Assessing Alternative Models of Democracy Promoted in Central Asian States.” Journal Articles. Cambridge Review of International Affairs 27, no. 4 (2014).
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Terrorism in Central Asia: Dynamics, Dimensions, and Source.” Journal Articles. Education About Asia 18, no. 3 (October 2013).
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Central Asian Conceptions of ‘Democracy’: Ideological Resistance to International Democratization.” Book Chapters. In In The International Dimensions of Authoritarian Persistence in the Former Soviet Union, Eds. Rachel Vanderhill and Michael E. Aleprete Jr., Lexington Press, 2013, 81-104. , 2013.
“The Transformative Power of Deliberation: When Ethnic Protests Lead to Democratization.” Other. International Studies Review, 2013.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Fab! Or Drab? Increasing the Effectiveness of Teaching and Learning in Summer Classes.” Journal Articles. Journal of Political Science Education 8, no. 3 (October 2012): 258–70.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Russia’s Foreign Policy toward Iran: A Critical Geopolitics Perspective.” Journal Articles. Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies 14, no. 3 (October 2012): 331–44.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Democracy and Dictatorship in Central Asia.” Book Chapters. In Oxford Bibliographies in Political Science. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. http://www.oxfordbibliographiesonline.com/.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y., and Lidiya Zubytska. “Failures and Prospects of Regional Organizations: Lessons from the Post-Soviet Space and Beyond.” Journal Articles. The Whitehead Journal of Diplomacy and International Affairs 8, no. 2 (2012): 97–102.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Review of Non-Governmental Organizations in World Politics: The Construction of Global Governance by Peter Willetts (Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2011).” Reviews. Human Rights Quarterly, 2012.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Russian Foreign Policy.” Book Chapters. In Foreign Policy in Comparative Perspective, edited by Ryan Beasley, Juliet Kaarbo, Jeffrey Lantis, and Michael Snarr, 94–117. CQ Press, 2012.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Western and Central Asian Perspectives on Democracy and Democratization.” Reports. IREX, August 2011. http://www.irex.org/resource/western-and-central-asian-perspectives-demo....
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. Counterterrorism Policies in Central Asia. Books. Routledge, 2011.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Islam in Kazakhstan: A Survey of Trends and Conditions for Securitization.” Journal Articles. Central Asia Survey 30, no. 2 (2011): 243–56.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Natural Disasters: Triggers of Political Instability?” Journal Articles. International Interactions 37, no. 4 (2011): 441–65.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Russian Security and Nuclear Policies: Successor to the Superpower Arsenal?” Book Chapters. In International Studies Online, edited by Robert A. Denemark. Wiley-Blackwell in association with International Studies Association, 2011. http://www.isacompendium.com/public/online.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Between Commitment and Pragmatism: Assessing International Influence on Human Rights Practices in Georgia.” Journal Articles. Journal of Human Rights 9, no. 4 (2010): 445–66.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Constructivism.” Book Chapters. In 21st Century Political Science: A Reference Handbook, edited by J. Ishiyama and M. Breuning. Sage Publications, Inc., 2010.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Ethnic Dimension of Religions Extremism and Terrorism in Central Asia.” Journal Articles. International Political Science Review 31, no. 2 (2010): 167–86.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Post-Soviet and Liberal Translations: Wherefore, To What Effect, and How?” Reviews. International Studies Review, 2010.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y., and John Kennedy. “Reform in Russia and China: A Comparative Perspective.” Book Chapters. In The International Studies Encyclopedia, edited by Robert A. Denemark, IX:6134–52. Blackwell Publishing, 2010.
omelicheva, mariya y. “RussiaΓÇÖs Counterterrorism Policy: Variations on an Imperial Theme.” Journal Articles. Perspectives on Terrorism. 6, no. 3 (2010).
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Security Rights Violations in the Context of Counterterrorism: Analysis of the Post-Soviet Nations.” Journal Articles. The International Journal of Human Rights 14, no. 2 (2010): 166–88.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Assessment of Learning and for Learning: Testing the Effectiveness and Accuracy of the Standard Scoring Instruments.” Book Chapters. In Assessment in Political Science, edited by K. Hamann, J. Ishiyama, and M. Deardorff, 163–80. Washington, DC: American Political Science Association, Assessment in Political Science, 2009.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Convergence of Counterterrorism Policies: A Case Study of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia.” Journal Articles. Studies of Conflict and Terrorism 32, no. 10 (2009): 893–908.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Global Civil Society and Democratization of World Politics: A Bona Fide Relationship or Illusory Liaison?” Journal Articles. International Studies Review 11, no. 1 (2009): 109–33.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Reference Group Perspective on State Behavior: A Case Study of Estonia’s Counterterrorism Policies.” Journal Articles. Europe Asia Studies 61, no. 3 (2009): 483–504.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Russia’s Counterterrorism Legislation, Warts and All: Overview and Assessment of the Legal Framework for Combating Terrorism in the Russian Federation.” Reports. Edited by Anna Mikkonen. Threats and Prospects in Combating Terrorism: A Challenge for Domestic or Transnational Cooperation. Helsinki, Finland: National Defense University, 2009.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y., and O. Avdeyeva. “Teaching with Lecture or Debate? Testing the Effectiveness of Traditional versus Active Learning Methods of Instruction.” Journal Articles. PS: Political Science and Politics, June 2008, 603–7.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Combating Terrorism in Central Asia: Explaining Difference in States’ Responses to Terror.” Journal Articles. Terrorism and Political Violence 19 (2007): 369–94.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Counterterrorism: The State of Scholarship, Directions for Future Data Collection and Analysis.” Journal Articles. Perspectives on Terrorism 1, no. 2 (2007). http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php?option=com_rokzine&view=ar....
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Resolved: Academic Debate Should Be a Part of Political Science Curricula.” Journal Articles. Journal of Political Science Education 3 (2007): 161–77.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Global Politics on Trial: Using Educational Debate for Teaching Controversies of World Affairs.” Journal Articles. International Studies Perspectives 7 (2006): 172–86.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Values and Ethics of Global Society Actors: Insights from a Survey and Content Analyses.” Journal Articles. Journal of Civil Society 2, no. 3 (2006): 233–49.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Self- and Peer-Evaluation in Undergraduate Education: Structuring Conditions That Maximize Its Promises and Minimize the Perils.” Journal Articles. Journal of Political Science Education 1, no. 1 (2005): 191–206.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y., J. Ishiyama, T. Baldino, B. Caswell, M. Choudary, M. Deardorff, S. Erb, et al. “APSA Teaching and Learning Conference: A Summary of Four Tracks.” Journal Articles. PS: Political Science and Politics 37, no. 3 (2004): 483–85.
Omelicheva, Mariya Y. “Simulations as an Educational Medium of Instruction: Games and Simulations for Teaching about Human Rights.” Other. Vologda, Russia, 1999.
Markowitz, Lawrence, and Maria Omelicheva. “Does Drug Trafficking Impact Terrorism? Afghan Opioids and Terrorist Violence in Central Asia.” Journal Articles. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Accepted/In Press.
Omelicheva, Maria. “Russia’s Foreign Policy in Central Asia.” Book Chapters. In Russian Foreign Policy, edited by Andrei Tsygankov. Routledge, Accepted/In Press.
Omelicheva, Maria. “The Faultlines of Democratization in Central Asia.” Book Chapters. In Comparative Asian Politics, edited by Shiping Hua. Routledge, Accepted/In Press.
Selected Work
Selected Grants
Trafficking/Terrorism Nexus in Eurasia. Office of Naval Research. $957247.00. Submitted 2/18/2015 (9/1/2015 - 8/30/2018). Federal. Status: Funded
Kansas Anti-Human Trafficking and Slavery Initiative: KASHTI, University of Kansas, Level II Strategic Initiative Grant (SIG. KUCR. $39809.00. (6/1/2013 - 4/30/2014). University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded. Other co-PIs are: Katie Cronin, Dorothy Daley, Shannon O'Lear, Emily Rauscher, Akiko Takeyama
United States Institute of Peace, the Public Education for Peacebuilding Support Initiative, Grant for ΓÇ£Path to Peace: Kosovo-Kansas Web Forum". United States Institute of Peace. $2000.00. Submitted 12/1/2012 (12/1/2012 - 2/28/2013). Foundation. Status: Funded
IREX 2011-12 Short-Term Travel Grant. for survey research in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. $7000.00. (1/1/2011 - 12/31/2012). University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded
Political Instability Task Force Grant. $128661.00. (1/1/2009 - 1/31/2011). University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded. (originally received by Dr. Phillip Schrodt)
Natural and Technological Disasters: Triggers of Political Instability. PITF Grant for project. $6071.00. (12/31/2009). Federal. Status: Funded
Eco-Reps: Peer-to-Peer Sustainability Outreach, Department of State, US-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program. Department of State. $100000.00. Submitted 1/1/2015. Federal. Status: Funded
KU CLAS FIG (Fill-In the Gap) Grant. $5000.00. Submitted 1/1/2018. University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded
NCEEER Short Travel Grant for a research trip to Uzbekistan. $3000.00. Submitted 1/1/2013. Not-for-Profit (not Foundation). Status: Funded
Open Society InstituteΓÇÖs International Fellowship Program to work with the Yerevan State Linguistic University After V. Brusov on Education Management and Planning for 2013-14. Open Society Institute, Soros Foundation. Submitted 2/1/2013 (11/1/2013). Foundation. Status: Funded. declined
