In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions—and in cooperation with the Department of Studies and Planning / Sustainable Development Unit at the Presidency of the University of Mosul, the College of Political Science held the defense of a master’s thesis entitled “The Role of the Sustainable Development Goals in Countering Violent Extremism: Education, Justice, and Decent Work as a Model,” submitted by Mr. Salih Ahmed Salih, on Sunday, 26 July 2026.

The thesis examined the role of the Sustainable Development Goals in countering violent extremism by focusing on three interconnected goals—Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)—as an integrated framework for addressing the structural drivers of violent extremism.

The study aimed to identify the principal developmental factors that contribute to the emergence and spread of violent extremism and to assess the extent to which sustainable development policies can mitigate its underlying causes.

The findings concluded that violent extremism is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that cannot be attributed to a single political, economic, social, cultural, or security-related cause. Rather, it is the cumulative outcome of the dynamic interaction among multiple ideological, institutional, and structural factors. Furthermore, the study emphasized that violent extremism is not confined to any particular religion or society, but constitutes a global challenge shaped by diverse contextual determinants.

The examination committee consisted of Assistant Professor Dr. Ali Hussein Yaseen (Chair), Assistant Professor Dr. Nizar Abdul Karim Hassan (Member), Lecturer Dr. Kawthar Hassan Ghazi (Member), and Assistant Professor Dr. Khair Allah Subhan Abdullah (Member and Supervisor).

Following the defense, the committee announced its decision to approve the thesis, subject to the required revisions, and to award the candidate the degree of Master of Political Science.