Content Type: Journal Article - CIAO Search Results

601. SCADvanceXP—an intelligent Polish system for threat detection and monitoring of industrial networks

Author:: Mateusz Gzegorz Twardawa, Marek Smolik, Franciszek Rakowski, Jakub Kwiatkowski, and Norbert Meyer
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:: War Studies University
Abstract:: SCADvanceXP is an industrial network intrusion detection system that scans and monitors data exchange between engineering stations, field divides, controllers, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), and other elements of the operational technology network in detail. SCADvanceXP has the potential to detect advanced attacks on industrial infrastructures with the use of rulebased, signature-based, and behavioural detection methods, which are supported by sophisticated machine and deep learning models. As a system developed in Poland, it addresses the needs of industry in that region of Europe. The goal of this work was to assess SCADvanceXP’s potential to detect common industrial threats. In order to check SCADvanceXP’s potential, an effort was undertaken to evaluate its functionality on major industrial threats. For that purpose, twelve malware strains interfering with industrial systems were described. Later, the SCADvanceXP functionality was overlapped on malware behavioural and detection markers, pointing out exact mechanisms in SCADvanceXP that would detect analysed threats. The results show that SCADvanceXP is able to detect a wide range of attacks on industrial networks. SCADvanceXP’s rich functionality is able to provide a high standard of security. However, if a threat is affecting systems not directly connected with industrial networks, SCADvanceXP will not be able to detect it. SCADvanceXP only monitors industrial systems; hence, corporate networks must be protected by a different solution to provide the required level of security. Nonetheless, SCADvanceXP is dedicated to operating within industrial networks and does not have access to regular IT networks. It can be concluded that SCADvanceXP is a specialist tool providing desired security for industrial networks.
Topic:: International Security, Cybersecurity, Malware, and Industrial Networks
Political Geography:: Europe and Poland

602. Remote work in the Finnish Defence Forces: Employees’ experiences of changes in organisational culture

Author:: Tiina Kähkönen
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:: War Studies University
Abstract:: This paper investigated what changes took place in the organisational culture of the Finnish Defence Forces during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also afterwards when remote work has remained permanently available to staff. A total of 468 employees of the Finnish Defence Forces participated in the study by reporting their experiences of changes in organisational culture. In the analysis of qualitative data, the Gioia methodology, which classifies the data into categories and themes, was used. Remote work creates challenges for leadership, and more equality, changed management competence, and remote work management skills were expected from management. However, it would seem that the organisational culture in the Finnish Defence Forces has developed in such a way that trust within the organisation is even stronger than before. Remote work has developed the personnel’s skills in managing digital tools as well as the employer image of the Finnish Defence Forces in the eyes of their personnel. This is the first study to map employees’ experiences of remote work from the perspective of changes in organisational culture in the Finnish Defence Forces. The research provides novel information that can be utilised in developing the operations and management of organisations. The Finnish Defence Forces have taken significant steps towards a modern work community. There are still some challenges to be solved in terms of how to improve leadership of remote work. A particularly important resource in resilience to change is the trust that is manifested in the organisational culture of the Finnish Defence Forces.
Topic:: Defense Policy, COVID-19, Remote Work, and Organizational Culture
Political Geography:: Europe and Finland

603. Bretton Woods Institutions: 80 Years and Counting

Author:: Roman Marshavin
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: International Affairs: A Russian Journal of World Politics, Diplomacy and International Relations
Institution:: East View Information Services
Abstract:: ON JULY 22, 2024, the world marked the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Bretton Woods Conference, which led to the establishment of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. This milestone provides an opportune moment to assess the progress achieved and reflect on future challenges. In 1944, when these institutions were created, the world was vastly different. World War II was still ongoing, but the defeat of Nazism was within reach. Beginning in 1943, consultations were held in Moscow and Washington among the Allies of the anti-Hitler coalition – primarily the US, the UK, and the USSR – regarding the future world order, including its economic dimensions. The Soviet delegation, led by Deputy People’s Commissar for Foreign Trade Mikhail Stepanov, played an active role in these discussions, including the establishment of the UN and financial institutions. It is fair to say that without the USSR’s participation, the creation of the first-ever truly global financial institutions would have been impossible. Archival materials confirm the high level of preparation by Soviet experts and their diplomatic skills, which enabled them to defend several key positions for the country and reflect them in the final documents.
Topic:: World Bank, Institutions, IMF, BRICS, and Bretton Woods
Political Geography:: United Kingdom, Soviet Union, United States of America, and Global South

604. Economic Diplomacy in the Modern Geopolitical Context

Author:: Dmitry Birichevsky
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: International Affairs: A Russian Journal of World Politics, Diplomacy and International Relations
Institution:: East View Information Services
Abstract:: ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1944, an economic department was formed at the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the USSR, marking the beginning of modern Russian economic diplomacy. Over the course of its existence, the current Department of Economic Cooperation (DEC) of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has undergone numerous transformations, gradually expanding its functions as the foreign economic agenda has expanded and become more complex. The DEC is celebrating its 80th anniversary amid radical geopolitical changes that will shape the configuration of the future world order. This is a period of significant challenges and great responsibility, as well as remarkable opportunities. The current historical phase is marked by significant turbulence in the international relations system, as the collective West’s claims to civilizational exceptionalism have proven untenable and Western regulatory mechanisms have failed to ensure sustainable development of the global economy. The Western powers are attempting to maintain their dominance by systematically weakening potential rivals and securing a generally subordinate position for countries of the World Majority.
Topic:: International Cooperation, Geopolitics, Integration, Economic Diplomacy, Multipolarity, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Russia and Global Focus

605. Ads and Editorials: How Pretreatment Reduces the Persuasiveness of Interest Group Advertisements

Author:: Matthew Lesenyie
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: California Journal of Politics and Policy
Institution:: Institute of Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley
Abstract:: Advertising studies commonly examine the effects of one-sided treatments. However, political communication campaigns are competitive environments where voters are likely to hear more than one perspective. Because of this dynamic, the persuasive effects of single-sided ads may be less likely to hold in a competitive environment. When respondents are exposed to arguments from both sides of a ballot proposition issue, can the disclosure of a credible group help an advertisement overcome prior opinions? I address this question using a randomized experiment that includes ballot proposition campaign ads. In the experiments, I manipulate the pretreatment environment by exposing some respondents to a newspaper editorial in order to provide them with prior opinions that might cause them to resist subsequent advertisements. I also vary the presence or absence of campaign finance disclosure within the advertisements. In all cases, the presence of a credible editorial is associated with a change in support for the initiative. However, the use of a credible campaign finance disclosure has a far less consistent effect. While campaign finance disclosures from credible groups can help counteract prior beliefs that citizens may hold, I find that the magnitude of these changes is somewhat small.
Topic:: Politics, Elections, Campaign Finance, Advertising, and Interest Groups
Political Geography:: Global Focus

606. Enhancing Inclusive Education for Visually Impaired Students in Higher Education

Author:: Swe Zin Linn Phyu, Ke Sambo, and Harth Bunhe
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Review of Human Rights
Institution:: Society of Social Science Academics (SSSA)
Abstract:: This paper explores the challenges faced by blind students in accessing higher education in Cambodia and proposes solutions rooted in principles of social justice and equity. Drawing on John Rawls’ theory of justice, which emphasizes fairness and equal opportunities, the study investigates barriers related to the availability, accessibility, and adaptability of educational resources. Through case studies of the Cambodian educational landscape, the paper highlights the urgent need for institutional support and inclusivity within universities. The paper aims to contribute to the advancement of inclusive education in Cambodia and ensure equal access to higher education for all students, irrespective of disability.
Topic:: Disability, Higher Education, Students, Inclusion, and Blindness
Political Geography:: Cambodia and Southeast Asia

607. Rule of Law in Pakistan

Author:: Amr Ibn Munir
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Review of Human Rights
Institution:: Society of Social Science Academics (SSSA)
Abstract:: The rule of law is one of the most important, if not the most important, constitutional principles. It has been a philosophical concept since the time of the Greek philosophers or even before. For the English jurists, the rule of law encompasses two central principles, which are the supremacy of law and equality before law. However, the British showed no concern for upholding it during the era of colonization. In Pakistan, the principles of supremacy of law and equality before law were incorporated into the Constitution. The Pakistani Superior Courts have widened the scope of these two principles in their decisions. However, in reality, such principles as enunciated by the Judiciary are not actually implemented in true letter and spirit.
Topic:: Human Rights, Constitution, Rule of Law, and Equality
Political Geography:: Pakistan and South Asia

608. Children’s rights, Counter-terrorism Legislation and Racialized Security Goals

Author:: Danila Genovese
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Review of Human Rights
Institution:: Society of Social Science Academics (SSSA)
Abstract:: After the territorial defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) thousands of women and children who were associated with ISIS have been interned and detained in various camps in northeast Syria. The present article analyses the story of Ms Shamima Begum, a British teenager who, in 2015, was groomed and trafficked to Syria to marry an ISIS fighter and the case of thousands of foreign children, who are currently detained indefinitely, for their perceived links with the terrorist organisation. The investigation will be carried through the lens of international law by exploring whether the tenets of children’s and human rights have been side-lined in favour of short- term security concerns, possibly buoyed by practices of discrimination.
Topic:: Human Rights, Terrorism, Children, Counter-terrorism, Islamic State, Islamophobia, Syrian War, Repatriation, and Shamima Begum
Political Geography:: Middle East and Syria

609. Critical Education and Digital Media

Author:: Lucia Picarella
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Review of Human Rights
Institution:: Society of Social Science Academics (SSSA)
Abstract:: The consideration of education as a social right, a human right, and a factor of social development offer possibilities for effective responses in terms of democratization, equality, and equity to the controversial socio-cultural and socio-economic effects and consequences of the digitization and platformisation of current societies. The scope of this article is the evaluation of Latin American critical edu-communication as a transformative and institutive instrument of practices that, through the integration of digital literacy with dialogic and conscientization strategies, open spaces of democratization and protection of human rights in a context characterized by strong inequalities and the digital divide. In this sense, the analysis through a qualitative methodology of a pilot case study makes it possible to offer necessary suggestions to promote digital media education strategies and the democratization of education.
Topic:: Education, Human Rights, Communications, Media, and Media Literacy
Political Geography:: Latin America

610. Balancing the Legitimate Interests of States

Author:: Mazhar Ali Khan
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Review of Human Rights
Institution:: Society of Social Science Academics (SSSA)
Abstract:: This study explores the principles of domestic criminal jurisdiction under international law, focusing on universal jurisdiction. It analyzes the contentious nature of universal jurisdiction, particularly its application by international judicial organs post-human rights and international criminal law developments. The research scrutinizes the Rome Statute's provisions, debating whether it implicitly or explicitly endorses universal jurisdiction over non-party state nationals. It also examines the complementarity principle within the Statute, arguing that it safeguards state interests by prioritizing national jurisdiction. The findings affirm universal jurisdiction's recognition under international law and its potential activation under the Rome Statute, while complementarity balances states' interests against the jurisdiction of international courts.
Topic:: International Law, International Criminal Court (ICC), Rome Statute, Jurisdiction, Universal Jurisdiction, and Complementarism
Political Geography:: Global Focus

611. The Frozen Conflict in Western Sahara and the Forgotten Question of Sahrawi

Author:: Marco Marsili
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Review of Human Rights
Institution:: Society of Social Science Academics (SSSA)
Abstract:: Western Sahara’s “frozen conflict” is one of the major and forgotten issues that, so far, the international community could not settle. This article aims to shed light on the historical events and the political responsibilities that led to a protracted stalemate over the Sahrawi question. The paper retraces the historical roots of the claims over the disputed territory by the Polisario Front, as the representative of the Sahrawi people, over the disputed territory, and analyzes their foundations under the light of international law.
Topic:: International Law, Post Colonialism, Sovereignty, Independence, and Self-Determination
Political Geography:: Africa and Western Sahara

612. Using Safe-to-Learn Strategies for Protecting Children with Disabilities in Schools

Author:: Mehek Naeem and Farhat Munir
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Review of Human Rights
Institution:: Society of Social Science Academics (SSSA)
Abstract:: Children with disabilities are often more prone to abuse in Pakistan. This article is based on a qualitative study using formal interviews as a data collection tool. The participants were asked about their perspective on the current practices of protecting children in schools, especially those with disabilities, and how to improve the system for safeguarding the Children to Learn Initiative. The research found that a right-based, systematic approach needs to be taken to improve school systems for the protection of children with disabilities against abuse and neglect, where attention is paid to prevention, response strengthening, and overall management and referral systems.
Topic:: Human Rights, Children, Disability, and Protection
Political Geography:: Pakistan and South Asia

613. Spring 2024 edition of Strategic Visions

Author:: Joseph Johnson, Alan McPherson, and Andrew Santora
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Strategic Visions
Institution:: Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy, Temple University
Abstract:: Contents News from the Director……… 2 Note from the Davis Fellow…. 7 News from the Community…. 8 Research Reports….. 11 Checking in with the CENFAD Emerging Scholar…. 13 CENFAD Community Interviews Dr. Michael Brenes……. 15 Dr. Stephanie Freeman…… 20 Retrospective: The “All Roads Lead to Gettysburg Conference”….. 26 Book Reviews The Third Reich’s Elite Schools: A History of the Napolas by Helen Roche, reviewed by Andrew Santora …………………….. 30
Topic:: History, Book Review, Higher Education, Interview, and Use of Force
Political Geography:: Europe, Global Focus, and United States of America

614. Fall 2024 edition of Strategic Visions

Author:: Alan McPherson, Grace Anne Parker, Sophía Valdes, Aaron Gell, Nikolas Gvosdev, Andrew Santora, and Jake Wolff
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Strategic Visions
Institution:: Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy, Temple University
Abstract:: This issue of Strategic Visions, Volume 24, Issue 1 (Fall 2024), features the usual "News from the Director" and "Note from the Davis Fellow" sections, in which we reflect on this past semester’s colloquium series. Additionally, we are excited to share interviews with Aaron Gell, a journalist for The New Republic, who discusses campus protests related to Gaza, and Dr. Nikolas Gvosdev, Professor of Naval Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, who provides insights into foreign policy in President-Elect Trump’s second term. Sofía Valdes wrote a piece about her research which won her the 2024 Edwin H. Sherman Prize last semester. Two of our graduate students, Andrew Santora and Jake Wolff, have contributed pieces detailing their archival research, which has been supported in part by CENFAD. Additionally, PhD candidate Audrey Rankin offers a review of Kathleen Murphy's Captivity's Collections: Science, Natural History, and the British Transatlantic Slave Trade (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2023).
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Protests, Higher Education, Donald Trump, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: United States of America

615. The LGBT Purge, its Demise, and the Aftermath: Retired Servicewomen Paving the Way

Author:: Charlotte Duval-Lantoine
Publication Date:: 02-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: In 1992, a court case lifted put an end to the persecution of 2SLGBTQI+ service members in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). To some researchers, the end of discriminatory policies translated into tolerance for and the welcoming of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians in the rank of the military. However, scandals over sexual misconduct, gender-based violence, and homo- and transphobic incidents in the CAF is painting a drastically different picture. Instead of a history of burgeoning inclusion and diversity, the end of what became known as the LGBT Purge led to different types of violence and struggles for 2SLGBTQI+ members. This article provides a chronology of the last years of the LGBT Purge in the military and the aftermath of Douglas v. the Canadian Armed Forces. It recounts an history of an institution that did not live up to its duty of care obligations because of members’ sexual orientation and gender identity. But this piece also underlines the role that women, both serving and retired, in bringing the issues to light and drive change in the military.
Topic:: Armed Forces, Women, LGBT+, Indigenous, and Military
Political Geography:: Canada and North America

616. Servicewomen as Whistleblowers: Canadian Servicewomen and the Revelations of Military Sexual Violence

Author:: Claire Cookson-Hills
Publication Date:: 02-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: This article documents the history of revelations of sexual misconduct within the military, and places that history in the paradoxical context of the responses of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). Starting in 1998 with the Maclean’s reporting, servicewomen have publicly shared their personal experiences of military sexual trauma. The history of these revelations has been written by journalists in conversation with servicewomen. Journalists have been supportive and ham-handed advocates of justice for survivors of military sexual violence. By contrast, both CAF and VAC have been reactionary in their responses to military sexual violence. Such focus on sexual violence stands in contrast to how servicewomen place the violence in the wider context of their career. After 2015, servicewomen have taken steps to advocate, organize, write their own stories publicly, and thereby put pressure on the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs to change.
Topic:: Armed Forces, Women, Sexual Violence, Whistle Blowing, and Military
Political Geography:: Canada and North America

617. Military Service and Serving the Community: How the Second World War Propelled Activism Forward for Indigenous and Native American Servicewomen

Author:: Isabella Sun
Publication Date:: 02-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT), originally named the Native American Indian Club of Toronto, was founded in 1950 by community volunteers – the majority of whom were Indigenous women.1 The club was founded to build a network and create an inclusive social space through shared culture, art, and language in Toronto. Indigenous women-led organizations such as the NCCT were not uncommon to find after the Second World War, since the wartime era empowered many Indigenous women to find and create their place in society. Today, the NCCT continues to prioritize Indigenous community building through promoting traditional knowledge and culture through language courses, art classes, and other events. Although this centre is unrelated to the war effort, it can be considered a by-product of Indigenous empowerment after the Second World War. Whether Indigenous women voluntarily enlisted or not, the war changed the daily realities of these many women. This article will explore similar themes of Indigenous servicewomen’s experiences throughout the Second World War and afterwards in Canada, and compare it with those of Native American servicewomen in the United States. It will highlight how their service affected post-war actions and activism for Indigenous rights in the latter twentieth century.
Topic:: Women, Indigenous, Activism, and Military
Political Geography:: Canada and North America

618. Sitting Ducks and Strategic Change. The Air Division in Europe, 1959 to 1967

Author:: Isabel Campbell
Publication Date:: 02-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: History and historical analysis can prepare the RCAF as an institution for inevitable change, specifically on transitions initiated by advancements in the science and technologies of air power. Having personally experienced the transition from CF-104 to the CF-18 fighter aircraft during the Cold War and with the incorporation of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) underway in the RCAF, there are informative accounts to be told and lessons learned that may require reflection in the transition from fourth to fifth generation fighter.1With peer-on-peer great power competition re-emerging as a geo-political reality, there are many aspects of Canadian fighter operations and capabilities that do not have to be relearned.War is a political condition between states or armed factions; warfare is the physical activity conducted between militaries in the context of war. “Technology shapes warfare, not war, ...and conversely war, not warfare, shapes technology. Technology has been the primary source of military innovation throughout history. It drives changes in warfare more than any other factor.”2Military technology is not deterministic as advancements do not ensure success, but rather, technology facilitates innovation. The unique characteristics, or distinguishing features, of the air environment, provide air power with different strengths and weaknesses from those of sea and land power. Fundamental air power tenets, or organizational principles, ensure the optimization of air power. These characteristics and tenets do not change with technology but rather technology is used to optimize these features to gain advantage.
Topic:: History, Armed Forces, and Military Equipment
Political Geography:: Canada and North America

619. The Past, Present and Future of Canadian Military Air Power

Author:: John Ferris and Brad Gladman
Publication Date:: 02-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: In its centenary year, it is important for Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) leadership, as well as the academic community and the public, to look back critically over its hundred years with a view to understanding the factors driving the successes, failures, and state of the RCAF. This was the aim of the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Centre for Operational Research and Analysis (CORA) workshop with the University of Calgary’s Centre for Military, Security, and Strategic Studies in September 2023. The workshop featured keynote addresses from Professor David Bercuson and Lieutenant-General (ret’d) Al Meinzinger and brought together leading experts on air power. This collection brings together high-quality material on a topic that has not received due attention – RCAF history and what that means for the future. It also seeks to demonstrate the value of partnerships between the academic community and the civilian and military parts of the RCAF to the benefit of both. It hopefully will encourage the RCAF to be more mindful of its history and to use that history to shape discussions about the future and an appropriate role for the RCAF moving forward.
Topic:: Armed Forces, Air Force, and Military
Political Geography:: Canada and North America

620. Exploring the role of international arms transfers in the non-market environment for international businesses across developing countries under authoritarian regimes.

Author:: Yoel Gonzalez-Bravo
Publication Date:: 06-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: This article is aimed at providing an analytical framework for Multinational Corporations (MNCs) to exploit arms transfer deals as an alternative strategic tool for the protection of their investments against risks on their properties rights in developing countries with relatively weaker protective legal frameworks as well as under authoritarian regimes that mostly rely on the use of firepower for their survival. For this purpose, a literature review and a further analysis through the use of the Wilson-Lowi Matrix and game theory based on the previous review was conducted to explore how MNCs can hedge their exposure to expropriation risks in these countries. The analysis shows how MNCs should impact these survival probabilities by engaging with providers of defence goods and services, governments, armed forces and other players in the non-market context involved in the competition for the control of the State in these countries.
Topic:: Development, Authoritarianism, Arms Trade, and International Business
Political Geography:: Global Focus

621. Warlord-Islamist Competition: A Comparison of Support Structures

Author:: Hamza Deniz Kobus
Publication Date:: 06-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: Warlord armies and Islamist groups are two types of violent non-state actors that frequently compete against each other in situations of internal conflict. This article strives to compare these actor types with regards to their internal and external sources of support. Examination of the consistent conflicts in Somalia and Afghanistan suggests that different support structures assist the armed groups with various resources for divergent reasons. The most salient pattern identifiable in the case studies indicates that local populations tend to support Islamist groups due to shared religious identities and desires for lasting governance. The non-ideological and pragmatic orientation of warlords on the other hand seems to attract backing primarily by international actors seeking influence in internal conflicts. While further research has to corroborate the findings, they indicate possible implications for military interventions in situations that are shaped by warlord-Islamist competition.
Topic:: Non State Actors, Governance, Islamism, Armed Conflict, Competition, and Warlords
Political Geography:: Global Focus

622. On the Propaganda and Supply Fronts of the Russia-Ukraine War: North Korean Soldiers, Workers, and Munitions in the Donbas?

Author:: Avram Agov
Publication Date:: 06-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: In the past summer, there were reports about the possibility of North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK) providing 100,000 volunteers to fight with the Russian army in Ukraine as well as construction workers to help reconstruct war-torn areas in the Donbas. These reports, based on Russian sources, became fodder in the propaganda war in Ukraine and resonated in international media and the academic community. Western sources reported possible supply of North Korean munitions to the Russian army. This paper will critically assess the three reports in the context of wartime dynamics and in the wider international context. The feasibility of sending North Korean troops, munitions, and workers to Russia will be viewed in light of the latest wartime developments in both Ukraine and Russia, including the retreat of the Russian army in some of the occupied areas, Russian partial mobilization and the annexation of four Ukrainian regions. The international context of evaluation includes the recent history of Russia-North Korea security and economic relations. The essay will argue that sending North Korean soldiers to Ukraine is out of the question, though the dispatch of North Korean workers has some degree of probability. The likeliest possibility is Russian procurement of North Korean munitions.
Topic:: Propaganda, Armed Conflict, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, Ukraine, Asia, and North Korea

623. The Exploratory Case Study of Improving the Nigerian Defence Academy Cadets’ Training Effectiveness

Author:: Sanya Ojo
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: At the Nigerian Defence Academy, cadets assume a rigorous schedule full of competing demands including physical training, drills, athletic, and academic that incites prolonged sleep deprivation, which hinders their chance of thriving in their academic pursuits. The study seeks to identify the directions the Nigerian Defence Academy could take to improve its cadets’ training strategies and how they are developed to better support educational requirements and meet conventional intellectual standards, capitalise on innovative training technologies, and increase efficiency. Through the application of qualitative methodology, the study gathered data that reveal some distinguishing features of institutional logics in which the cadets’ training regime is embedded. The contradictions inherent in the education and military training regimens have to be carefully and innovatively negotiated to improve the quality of instruction received by the cadets to enhance efficiency both in conduct and character.
Topic:: Armed Forces, Training, and Military Training
Political Geography:: Africa and Nigeria

624. Making Sense of Multinational Cooperation

Author:: Ina Kraft
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: Multinational cooperation is a prominent characteristic among the armed forces of European states. However, despite its prevalence, a shared understanding of this phenomenon is lacking in the research community. Furthermore, studies often restrict their focus to examining the effects of cooperation, neglecting the essential exploration of its underlying conditions. To overcome these limitations, this article develops a categorisation of multinational cooperation into structures, processes, and activities. It concludes that multinational cooperation in Europe can be categorised into three distinct phases (1990-2004, 2005-2013, 2014-) with significantly varying underlying motives for cooperation, particularly since the ‘wave of multinational cooperation’ in Europe following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2014. By introducing a novel framework for comprehending military cooperation and presenting an empirically informed overview of recent shifts in cooperation across Europe, this article aims to invigorate further research in the field.
Topic:: Armed Forces, Multinational Corporations, Regional Security, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Europe

625. Canada and Indo-Pacific cooperation: the Quadrilateral Military Dialogue (Quad)

Author:: Gavin Cameron
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:: Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:: Canada has traditionally pursued a policy of limited formal engagement within the Indo-Pacific region, preferring to focus on economics rather than security, and to prioritise other regions and pre-existing commitments. As the Indo-Pacific has become a region of increasing importance to Canada, this approach has become decreasingly viable, and Canada announced a new Indo-Pacific Strategy in late 2022. The Strategy has not alleviated concerns about Canada’s full participation in the formal regional institutions. This paper explores the potential for Canada to participate in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the Quad), an arrangement between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Such participation would enable Canada to balance its increased interest in the region with a less formal or extensive institutional commitment.
Topic:: Security, International Cooperation, Dialogue, and Military
Political Geography:: Canada, North America, and Indo-Pacific

626. Relations Between Russia and Türkiye in The Context of The Syrian Conflict: From Edge of the War to Strategic Cooperation

Author:: Cenk Özatıcı and Polat Üründül
Publication Date:: 07-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: This article analyses the changing dynamics in Turkish-Russian relations during the Syrian civil war. The Syrian civil war has had a significant impact on relations between Türkiye and Russia. Initially, at odds over Türkiye’s support for Syrian opposition forces and Russia’s support for the Assad regime, tensions peaked when the Turks shot down a Russian warplane. This paper argues that Türkiye’s security concerns, including threats from the Syrian regime and the PYD and Russia’s desire to remove obstacles to its national interests in Syria, have led to strategic cooperation between the two countries. Russia’s pragmatic approach to Türkiye’s security needs and its military dominance in Syria encouraged Türkiye to cooperate with the Russians. This cooperation, evident in projects such as the Astana process and arms deals, was also seen as an opportunity by Russia to weaken NATO and strengthen the Assad regime.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Bilateral Relations, Military Intervention, Syrian War, and Strategic Cooperation
Political Geography:: Russia, Turkey, Middle East, and Syria

627. Mind the Gap! Small State Influence within the EU during the Brexit Process: The Case of Slovakia

Author:: Sedanur Yıldız
Publication Date:: 07-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: The United Kingdom has been seen as a balancing element for small states to prevent big states from gaining hegemony in the EU, especially Franco-German. The decision, which was stated to withdraw the UK from the EU with a referendum in 2016, has reawakened the concern of small states. Inevitably, member states have been affected by the outcome of this decision, even though in a different dimension. The Brexit negotiations preserved the dominance of the EU interests so as not to create a chain effect among the other members based on Article 50, which was applied for the first time. In contrast, the EU’s implementation of immigration policies has mainly led to the strengthening of anti-EU groups in the member states. Since Central and Eastern European countries are the first boundaries of migration waves, anti-immigration movements are felt in those countries’ political and social spheres. Slovakia faced the Brexit decision at the first Council Presidency after becoming a member of the EU. On the other hand, the Presidency’s agenda was not overshadowed by Brexit and focused on the predetermined road map. For this reason, the Council Presidency of Slovakia had not been subject to the shocking effect of any crisis agenda and was relatively moderate. With the immigration policies, which include the general interests of the EU, there was no progress in the asylum and migration title as the point of view of Slovakia is not very compatible. This article deals with the Brexit process and its impact on Slovakia. The main question of the study is how small states fill in the gap that Brexit might cause and whether small states can take the initiative for the future of the EU, which is discussed in the case of Slovakia.
Topic:: European Union, Brexit, and Regional Integration
Political Geography:: United Kingdom, Europe, and Slovakia

628. Women Leaders and the Concept of Women Empowerment: Benazir Bhutto and Margaret Thatcher

Author:: Betül Tiryaki
Publication Date:: 07-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: Women empowerment is a significant concept in gender equality. Political empowerment is particularly critical because they need to be active in the decisionmaking process (Rasul, 2014). However, women’s experience shows various difficulties while trying to reach high positions, especially in politics. The situation raises an important question about how women who have experienced holding authority use it for the benefit of other women. So, the research aim is to investigate how two women leaders in different countries with different development levels contribute to women’s empowerment. Therefore, Benazir Bhutto and Margaret Thatcher are the two cases of this research. Benazir Bhutto was Pakistan’s first Muslim female prime minister, an underdeveloped country from 1988 to 1990 and from 1993 to 1996 (Jangbar, 2021). On the other hand, Margaret Thatcher was the first woman prime minister of the United Kingdom, a developed country from 1979-1990 (Özdikmen and Kartın, 2021). A woman leader in a developed country is expected to contribute more to women’s empowerment than a woman leader in an underdeveloped country. Yet, while Benazir Bhutto is shown to have made significant strides in empowering women in Pakistan, Margaret Thatcher’s use of power did not align with supporting women. She was known to criticise women’s rights, which had already been gained. This unexpected contrast challenges the notion that the development level of countries influences the work of women leaders as expected. The findings suggest that women leaders in underdeveloped countries may hold more significance in the context of women’s empowerment.
Topic:: Women, Leadership, Benazir Bhutto, Empowerment, Gender Equality, and Margaret Thatcher
Political Geography:: Pakistan, United Kingdom, Europe, and South Asia

629. Enhancing Disaster Resilience through Gender-Sensitive Policy Frameworks: A Case Study of Pakistan

Author:: Nialish Khan
Publication Date:: 07-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: Pakistan is vulnerable to disasters, but recently, climate change has exacerbated its impact, which has led to adverse effects on the country's socio-economic stability. This research paper explores the gaps in Pakistan's disaster management frameworks and policies and proposes gender-sensitive disaster-resilient policy recommendations. It highlights the disproportionate impacts of disasters on the lives of women, exacerbated by socio-cultural norms. The study draws lessons from Bangladesh and Japan, which have successfully integrated gender-inclusive disaster mitigation strategies. Recommendations include equitable distribution of relief aid, ensuring women's participation in decision-making, increasing coordinated efforts among agencies, and enhancing community-based disaster management. The effective implementation of these measures will contribute to sustainable communities and better living conditions for women.
Topic:: Climate Change, Natural Disasters, Women, Resilience, and Gender
Political Geography:: Pakistan and South Asia

630. It is Time to Reconsider the Hereditary Succession of Politicians and Medical Practitioners in Japan: Reform Ideas to Overcome the Adverse Effects

Author:: Yukio Sakurai
Publication Date:: 07-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: This article examines the current status and challenges of Japan’s hereditary succession system, focusing on the hereditary succession of politicians and medical practitioners. It argues that hereditary succession in these two professions has negative impacts on the political and social structures of Japan and proposes some reforms to address this issue. The following two conclusions were reached through the study. First, the hereditary succession of politicians is undoubtedly one of the root causes of the stagnation in politics, which discourages the young generation from engaging in politics. The time has come to rethink whether this is the right thing to do about hereditary succession from a voter perspective, which is a crucial issue in democracy. Second, the hereditary succession of medical practitioners is due to the three factors pointed out in this article. These factors contribute to the social effect of fixing part of the structure of society, which is undesirable as an obstacle to free occupational choice and equal opportunities for young people. It is, therefore, necessary to change the medical education route from a single track to a multiple track and decrease the proportion of hereditary succession so that a diverse range of people with humanity and compassion may become candidates for medical practitioners. This article suggests some possible ideas for reforms to achieve this goal. It is time to reconsider the hereditary succession of politicians and medical practitioners in Japan because the people need those who have humanity and compassion in their mission spirit to contribute to society over time.
Topic:: Politics, Equal Opportunity, and Hereditary Succession
Political Geography:: Japan and Asia

631. Portuguese Neutrality during World War II - A Case Study of Portuguese Foreign Policy Analysis

Author:: João Tavares
Publication Date:: 07-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: The main object of this investigation into Portuguese neutrality during the Second World War is to understand the reasons that led to the choice of neutrality and how the conceptual elements of the Foreign Policy Analyses and the historical events relating to the conflict conditioned the decision-making process. Portuguese foreign policy decision. Portuguese foreign policy under Salazar followed a set of guidelines that were based on norms and intangible elements, which allowed the regime to carry out its mission of ensuring its autonomy on the European continent and, simultaneously, guaranteeing the security of the colonies located in the rest of the world. The Portuguese option for neutrality is conditioned by a vast series of internal and external constraints, as well as an ideological coherence that is somewhat standardised in relation to previous events, where sometimes a lack of information and uncertainty regarding the other parties demolish ideal premises of the Rational Actor model. In the Portuguese case, as it was an idiosyncratic dictatorship in which the head of government centralised all the main decision-making powers within himself. However, he surrounded himself with capable elements and an information network, which excelled in bilaterality, to help with the decision-making task. Portugal had to position itself in the face of the conflict, and this highlights the alliances to which it was linked and which would influence decision-making. Salazar was aware that he could not marginalise Spain or ignore the importance of Great Britain.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, World War II, Estado Novo, and António de Oliveira Salazar
Political Geography:: Europe and Portugal

632. In Search of an African Theory of Democracy: Utilising the Tiv Cultural Philosophy of Ya-Na-Angbian

Author:: Ayaka Simon Silas and Yusufu Ahmed Audu
Publication Date:: 07-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: This paper critically assessed the lacunae in African political scholarship, particularly the lack of a comprehensive democratic theory that rigorously defined the principles, interpretations, norms, and essence of democracy as practised across the continent. It advocated for a thorough examination of indigenous democratic values, practices, and concepts, specifically through the perspective of the Tiv cultural philosophy of Ya-Na-Angbian, which translates to “eat and give to your brother.” This philosophy, characterised by its principles of egalitarianism and communal solidarity, has the potential to significantly contribute to the formulation of a unique African democratic theory. Grounded in indigenous knowledge systems and cultural philosophies, such a theory could catalyse substantive and sustainable development throughout Africa. Utilising the Communitarian Theory as its analytical framework and drawing from a wide array of secondary sources, the paper employed descriptive and expository methodologies to elucidate the fundamental tenets of Ya-Na-Angbian. It highlighted the principles of egalitarianism and communal solidarity, assessing their practical relevance in democratic governance and their effectiveness in addressing contemporary socio-political challenges. The study revealed that the Ya-Na-Angbian philosophy, emblematic of Tiv distributive justice, has undergone significant transformations under the influences of Western culture, capitalism, Christianity, and the prevalent “sit-tight” syndrome within Nigerian politics. Consequently, the paper concluded that the erosion of the Ya-NaAngbian philosophy signals potential political instability in Tiv land. It, therefore, recommends the urgent revitalisation and reaffirmation of Ya-Na-Angbian values to promote peace, progress, and social cohesion not only within Tiv land and Nigeria but across the broader African continent.
Topic:: Democracy, Philosophy, Scholarships, and Egalitarianism
Political Geography:: Africa

633. Great Power Politics over the Natural Resources in Afghanistan

Author:: Babur Rahmani
Publication Date:: 07-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development
Institution:: Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (CESRAN)
Abstract:: Afghanistan has always been the centre of attention of global powers throughout history due to its strategic location and the presence of substantial natural resources. While the hegemony of the U.K. has a strategic and geopolitical dimension, the hegemony of Russia and the U.S. has a strategic dimension, and it is claimed that one of the reasons for the occupation of Afghanistan by these two superpowers is its underground riches. The struggle of the great powers to seize and dominate the world’s natural resources, scarce earth resources, has continued extensively from the second half of the 20th century to the present day. Afghanistan has been one of the countries significantly affected by this power struggle. Therefore, in this study, by using the concept of “Great Power Politics”, the scope, breadth and seriousness of the struggle between great powers and rising regional powers over Afghanistan’s natural resources have been analysed. In this context, Afghanistan’s rich underground resources and most of the critical contracts signed with foreign and domestic-foreign companies regarding Afghanistan’s natural resources after 2001 were analysed.
Topic:: Politics, Natural Resources, Hegemony, and Great Powers
Political Geography:: Afghanistan and South Asia

634. American Ambassadors Review: Spring 2024 (Full Issue)

Author:: Peter Pham, Michael Battle, Morse Tan, Michael DeSombre, and Richard Holwill
Publication Date:: 07-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: The Ambassadors Review
Institution:: The Ambassadors Review
Abstract:: Understanding China’s Middle East Marathon (Ambassador Peter Pham); BRICS and the Contest for Shaping Global Public Opinion (Ambassador Michael Battle); A Journey for Justice (Ambassador Morse Tan); Balkans Mission Report; Managing Relationships and Perceptions of Leverage (Ambassador Michael DeSombre); Climate and the Migration Crisis (Ambassador Richard Holwill)
Topic:: Climate Change, Diplomacy, Migration, Public Opinion, and BRICS
Political Geography:: China, Middle East, Asia, and Balkans

635. The six critical tasks of strategic leaders during crisis: Ensuring safety of stakeholders during COVID-19 pandemic in Poland

Author:: Zdzisław Polcikiewicz, Norbert Świętochowski, and Marek Tomaszycki
Publication Date:: 03-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: The authors’ purpose in this article is to present the way in which strategic leaders may use analytical tools to operate during crisis. Their actions is based on the idea of six main tasks, the so-called “Six Makings”, that they have to accomplish. The idea of “critical tasks during crisis was presented on the basis of the COVID-19 situation in Poland and the activities carried out by the Polish government and the Polish Health-care System (Strategic Leaders) to neutralize the negative effects of the pandemic, protect the health and lives of citizens, and care for the economic situation. Qualitative data analysis techniques were used in the research process. The authors concluded that in times of crisis, citizens rely on their leaders and believe that they will ensure their security and a swift return to customary. Strategic leaders must guarantee that the organizations and stakeholders they lead are prepared to counter the future challenges — foreseen and unforeseen alike. The “Six Makings” analytical tool, properly used, could significantly improve the accuracy of decisions made and increase the effectiveness of actions taken.
Topic:: Leadership, Crisis Management, Pandemic, COVID-19, Stakeholders, and Public Safety
Political Geography:: Europe and Poland

636. The idea of smart city in the perspective of the development of the capitals of the Visegrad Group countries

Author:: Marek Gorka
Publication Date:: 03-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: The objective of this study is to analyze the implementation and utilization of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the development of Smart Cities by the authorities of the V4 capitals. This research examines the smart city concept in the context of the development strategies of the V4 capitals. The study utilizes quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the potential of each city and conducts a comparative analysis of strategic documents related to the smart city concept. The article initiates by examining the changing dynamics of public space management in light of the increasing significance of cybertechnology. The subsequent section highlights the key points outlined in the Agenda 2030 document. This is followed by an effort to conceptualize the smart city concept and an explanation for investigating the development of the V4 capitals. The subsequent portion of the article delves into the perception of economic and social development, drawing from the security and cybersecurity strategies of each V4 country. The cases of each country are then analyzed based on selected factors that define their technological potential. The analysis aims to identify the predominant aspects pertaining to the utilization of ICT within the Smart City concept in the V4 capitals. The comparative analysis will reveal commonalities, disparities, strengths, and areas that require further development in each capital. The insights derived from this research prove vital for effective urban management. They facilitate an enhanced understanding of the interconnectedness between various economic and social resources and allow for the systematization of assumptions, visions, and underlying concepts related to urban space management. This, in turn, assists in identifying the factors that influence comprehensive engagement in smart city initiatives.
Topic:: Development, Science and Technology, Communications, Innovation, Smart Cities, and Visegrad Group
Political Geography:: Europe and Eastern Europe

637. The Sources of Russia’s Soft Power in Relation to Belarus

Author:: Ryszard Franciszek Ławniczak
Publication Date:: 03-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: This paper aims to evaluate the sources of Russia’s soft power as a tool which should enable it to integrate Belarus more closely with Russia. The research question is as follows: what are Russia’s main sources of attractiveness, and what kind of instruments of soft power is the Russian government applying to achieve that aim? To what extent was this soft policy successful? The author applied a qualitative research method. It is inductive and allows the researcher to explore meanings and insights into Russia’s notion of “soft power” in its foreign policy toward Belarus. The basis of it lies in the interpretive approach to the present reality of Russia – Belarus political and economic relations and in the evaluation of Russian efforts to integrate its closest neighbour by using only non-military means.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Bilateral Relations, Soft Power, and Information Warfare
Political Geography:: Russia, Eurasia, and Belarus

638. Corrupt behavior and the safety of organizational units of the Prison Service

Author:: Marta Jaroszewska
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: Corruption in a broad, general sense is perceived as an important social problem that occurs in all spheres of human activity. This phenomenon develops according to the dynamics of changes in a given society. What remains unchanged over the years is that the purpose of corruption is material goods and personal benefits. The subject of this article is the phenomenon of corruption occurring in penitentiary units in the context of their security. When considering the issue of corruption, particular attention should be paid to the judicial authorities and places where perpetrators of crimes, including persons convicted for bribery, are serving sentences, i.e. prisons or detention centers.
Topic:: Security, Corruption, Prisons/Penal Systems, Organized Crime, and Resocialization
Political Geography:: Poland and Global Focus

639. Anti-corruption measures in German local government using the example of the city of Bremen

Author:: Piotr Zariczny
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: Germany, as one of the leading European countries, is also engaged in comprehensive anti-corruption efforts. It is worth taking a look at anti-corruption practices in German local government, and particularly focusing on the case of the city of Bremen. German local government is characterized by a high degree of autonomy, which gives local authorities a great deal of freedom in managing their affairs. However, with this autonomy comes challenges in preventing and combating corruption. The city of Bremen, as one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany, represents a compelling research case because of its approach to fighting corruption. Understood as a free Hanseatic city (Freie Hansestadt Bremen) and a federal state (Bundesland), the city of Bremen exhibits advanced anti-corruption structures. Central to this is the Anti-Corruption Commission, which focuses on monitoring and combating all forms of corruption at the local level. This commission works in close cooperation with police authorities and internal control bodies. Bremen is taking proactive measures to prevent corruption. One of the key instruments is training programs aimed at local government employees, which cover public service ethics, accountability, and rules of conduct. In addition, there is a clear and transparent code of conduct for local government employees that specifies expected ethical standards. The City of Bremen recognizes the important role of civil society in combating corruption. These efforts focus on working with NGOs, conducting educational campaigns, and establishing communication channels for citizens to report cases of corruption. Public trust in local government institutions is therefore crucial, which confirms the introduced effectiveness of the anti-corruption measures. The case of the city of Bremen shows that the fight against corruption in German local government requires an integrated approach, combining proactive measures, cooperation with civil society and monitoring structures.
Topic:: Corruption, Education, Bilateral Relations, and Local Government
Political Geography:: Europe, Poland, and Germany

640. The issue of anti-corruption prevention from the perspective of local government

Author:: Beata Tomaszewska-Hołub
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: Anti-corruption prevention is an important element in combating corruption crime. This prevention is a complex system, consisting of formal and legal rules and regulations, organizational procedures, rules of professional ethics for local government officials, and activities aimed at raising awareness of responsibility and corruption risks. Interesting solutions are “Codes of Ethics” and “Anti-corruption Policies” introduced in local government offices. It should be emphasized that anti-corruption prevention must be constantly adapted to the changing situation of corruption threats.
Topic:: Corruption, Regulation, Ethics, and Local Government
Political Geography:: Global Focus

641. Corruption in local government units in Poland – sources and causes

Author:: Magdalena Filipek
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: The aim of this paper is to present the problem of corruption in local government entities. It addresses the sources and causes, as well as attempts to completely eliminate corruption from public life. The article serves as a review and introduction to the issues related to corruption in local government, its sources, and causes.
Topic:: Corruption, Crime, and Local Government
Political Geography:: Europe and Poland

642. The problem of corruption and its consequences in local government units

Author:: Kazimierz Pierzchala
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: The article aims at presenting the problem of corruption and outlining its consequences. The work is an overview and an introduction to the subject of corruption in local government units. The problem of corruption has existed for many years and is gaining significance. According to analyses, Poland is one of the most corrupt countries in Europe. Corruption is encroaching on local government units despite its many consequences, which will be a subject of analysis.
Topic:: Corruption, Crime, Governance, and Local Government
Political Geography:: Europe and Poland

643. Corruption at the level of local and central government in view of the country’s resilience system

Author:: Maciej Pietrusiński
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: Corruption regardless of its form and the stage at which it occurs has a pathological character. It has a destructive impact on the functioning mechanisms of public at state level, at local level and private institutions, as well as causing dysfunctions in economic systems. In addition, corruption causes security threats on a national, regional and global scale. There is no country in the world that has managed to fully solve the problem of corruption. The mechanisms and guidelines being put in place for offices and organisations countering this issue only limit the scale and narrow the area of impact. Even institutions concerned with ensuring security inside the state and protecting its interests beyond its borders are not free from this practice. This article will describe the impact of bribery on the functioning of key areas affecting the entire state and international security system.
Topic:: Defense Policy, Corruption, Resilience, Military, Local Government, and Public Administration
Political Geography:: Poland and Global Focus

644. Navigating the gray zone: the theoretical dilemma of interest groups impacting public life through lobbying and the threat of corruption

Author:: Mariusz Popławski
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: From the very beginning of human civilization, the ones in power were impacted by the others, who tried to gain from a more favorable decision. In order to achieve that, one could have used the correct arguments based on rationality, which, for instance, could have had an economic background. That demands much effort, meaning we should know the person we are trying to convince, learn about the situation, and gather opinions, evidence, and all sorts of data that could be useful. Others could try something risky and illegal – all sorts of corruption, including bribes, embezzlement, nepotism, extortion, kickbacks, etc. The distinction between the two seems straightforward, but only on the surface. If we get deeper into the issue, things get way more complex, and we might find it difficult to draw a clear line since the gray zone keeps growing. The paper concentrates then on the joint history of corruption and lobbying to give us a broad picture of the issue. Secondly, various concepts of the definition are analyzed to understand where we are in terms of the search between the two phenomena. The article ends with conclusions and further research suggestions.
Topic:: Corruption, Government, Lobbying, and Interest Groups
Political Geography:: Global Focus

645. Manifestations of corruption in local government elections in Albania. Implications for the process of its accession to the European Union

Author:: Renata Podgórzańska
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: One of the key values on which the European Union is based is the rule of law that also includes efficient mechanisms for counteracting and combating corruption. What is more, it is a key condition for countries aspiring to membership in the European Union. An example here comes from Albania’s accession aspirations. Their progress is determined by the dynamic changes in the transformation processes of this country, including progress in counteracting and eliminating corruption in the political and economic space. Explanation of the specific characteristics of Albanian reality and the exegesis of the impact of corruption on the process of the country’s closer EU cooperation are the aims of the research taken up here. Special focus will be given to electoral corruption in local government elections that took place on 14 May 2023. At the same time, these elections are only a background to a broader discussion on the essence of corruption in the Albanian reality as a factor that determines its accession process.
Topic:: Corruption, Elections, European Union, Rule of Law, and Local Government
Political Geography:: Europe and Albania

646. Flaws of anti-corruption law. Selected aspects against the evolution of the rule of law in Poland

Author:: Jarosław Piątek
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: The phenomenon of corruption is becoming more and more common in Poland as much as it is throughout the world. The topic returns and it is still relevant. For the average person, this issue is often not entirely clear and requires a moment of reflection and analysis. Historical events often prevail when carefully assessing corruption. Many people do not understand that the abuse of public figures’ positions to achieve private gains, both financial and personal, is a crime. We deal with many types of corruption in today’s world. Corruption is present not only in central administration, but also in local government, where conflicts of interest deeply rooted in local economic, political, or official activities, are a frequent occurrence. The desire to improve one’s social or economic status often leads to committing crimes. The problem should worry and motivate us to take extensive actions to combat its mechanisms. It is worth emphasizing that public awareness of corruption activities, especially among the generation who lived in the times of the Polish People’s Republic, is low. Assessments and attitudes towards corruption change with age. The younger generation sees a connection between corruption and the actions of local government officials in many aspects. As a result, they associate corruption with a threat to their own security.
Topic:: Security, Corruption, Rule of Law, and Local Government
Political Geography:: Europe and Poland

647. Social determinants of corruption at the local level

Author:: Waldemar Wojtasik and Łukasz Trembaczowski
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: Although the phenomenon of corruption is sometimes viewed through the prism of legal or economic issues, at its core it is a social phenomenon. Contemporary studies on corruption draw attention to its relationship with the issue of trust. The typological model of the relationship between trust and corruption provided the analytical framework for the described studies. Relating the types of corruption to objects of trust creates a perspective in which the perception of corruption by officials is an area of particular interest. The described research presents the perception of various dimensions of political corruption by local government officials. The juxtaposition of the assessed corruption phenomena indicates their interconnectedness in the perception of the respondents, thereby emphasizing the importance of accountability of political authorities.
Topic:: Corruption, Crime, Government, Governance, and Trust
Political Geography:: Global Focus

648. Assets and sources of income of municipal councillors in Poland – analysis of asset declarations against the risk of corruption

Author:: Marcin Czyżniewski
Publication Date:: 12-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Nowa Polityka Wschodnia
Institution:: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Abstract:: Municipal councillors in Poland are required to submit annual asset declarations. It’s a part of the transparency of public life, declarations make it possible to determine whether a councillor’s assets are justified by his or her income and whether the income itself comes from legal and ethical sources. This article analyses 1,500 asset declarations submitted in 2024 to determine whether general conclusions can be drawn from publicly available declarations indicating corrupt situations or the risk of such situations. The subject of the analysis is whether the assets of municipal councillors in Poland are clearly higher than average, whether councillors derive income from sources that may indicate a conflict of interest or corruption, including political corruption, whether councillors have above-average financial liabilities, including with individuals? The asset declarations examined indicate the existence of risks of corrupt situations, but their analysis does not show them to be of wider scope. On its basis, it is not possible to advance the thesis that holding a mandate as a municipal councillor in Poland is associated with income that could be considered suspicious, nor with above-average assets.
Topic:: Corruption, Transparency, Income, and Local Government
Political Geography:: Europe and Poland

649. The global terrorist threat forecast in 2024

Author:: Liu Chunlin and Rohan Gunaratna
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: The article focuses on the recent Israel-Hamas conflict and its implications for global stability and security. The article highlights how the threat is likely to evolve from a regional conflict in Middle East into a global conflict. The US, British and European support for Israel and increasing civilian death toll have sparked off endless debate. The world leaders should develop a far-reaching approach to countering the terrorist threats and protecting civilian rights. In addition, the article highlights the paramount importance of cybersecurity in responding to threats.
Topic:: Human Rights, Terrorism, Communications, Cybersecurity, Hamas, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

650. La incidencia de la seguridad marítima en el golfo de Guinea sobre España

Author:: Francisco Delgado Urrutia
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Este artículo trata de demostrar que la situación de inseguridad en el golfo de Guinea constituye un problema de importancia para la seguridad de la Unión Europea, y más concretamente para la seguridad de España. En este sentido, se defiende que la forma en la que la Unión se ha aproximado a este problema de seguridad, no ha sido ni es el adecuado ya que, a pesar de reconocer la situación de inseguridad en esta región, no se han aplicado los mismos parámetros a la hora de evaluar la necesidad de implementar una operación militar en el Cuerno de África y en el golfo de Guinea. El resultado ha sido el mantenimiento de la operación “Atalanta” en una zona sin ataques piratas desde 2019 hasta finales del 2023, y la ausencia de una misión similar en el golfo de Guinea.
Topic:: Security, Terrorism, Piracy, European Union, Maritime, Cocaine, and Fisheries
Political Geography:: Europe and Spain

651. La competición internacional y el papel de la Unión Europea en el Sur Global

Author:: Marta González Isidoro and Antonio Marquina
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Los ministros de Asuntos Exteriores de la Unión Europea recordaban en la reunión de principios de octubre de 2023 en Kiev, que Rusia es una amenaza existencial y que la victoria de la guerra depende de la cooperación con Europa. Mientras que los antiguos integrantes del bloque soviético perciben la amenaza rusa como inmediata y existencial, los países mediterráneos, sienten que su foco inmediato de atención está en la Frontera Sur y en el llamado Sur Global. La necesidad de cambiar el enfoque de la Unión Europea hacia los países en desarrollo es fundamental para la supervivencia, como actor geopolítico, de una Europa que no logra superar la visión eurocéntrica y occidental del mundo, y que sigue considerando el reordenamiento global en curso como complicado, pero no imposible de manejar.
Topic:: European Union, Global South, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), BRICS, and International Competition
Political Geography:: China and Europe

652. La influencia de la seguridad energética en el desarrollo de la autonomía estratégica europea: Cambios definitorios necesarios para potenciar el despertar geopolítico de la UE

Author:: Tomás Gutiérrez Roa
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: La invasión rusa de Ucrania ha despertado geopolíticamente a la UE. Tras el inicio de la guerra, los Estados miembros tomaron consciencia de las vulnerabilidades que afronta el proyecto común, principalmente la gran dependencia energética de Rusia, la cual tenía además efectos limitadores sobre su autonomía estratégica. Debido a que la Declaración de Versalles llama a redefinir la forma en que los socios entienden su seguridad energética, este trabajo propone un nuevo esquema basado en los elementos que son imprescindibles para garantizar un suministro estable y avanzar hacia la autonomía del sistema de energía, un proyecto que, de completarse, permitirá potenciar la capacidad europea de proyectar poder en la escena internacional y servirá como uno de los pivotes más sólidos para la definitiva consolidación de la autonomía estratégica de la UE en un contexto de creciente rivalidad geopolítica.
Topic:: European Union, Geopolitics, Strategic Autonomy, Russia-Ukraine War, and Energy Security
Political Geography:: Europe

653. La Unión Europea y la diplomacia del clima tras la agresión de Rusia a Ucrania

Author:: Teresa Fajardo del Castillo
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: La guerra de agresión de Rusia en Ucrania ha tenido un gran impacto en las políticas de la Unión Europea, que ahora tratan de estar conectadas con el fin último de alcanzar la autonomía estratégica. En el caso de la diplomacia del clima de la UE, ésta deberá adoptar un nuevo enfoque geopolítico para hacer frente a las acciones de Rusia que es el tercer mayor responsable de emisiones de CO2 y ha hecho de la venta de gas y petróleo un arma más en su guerra en Ucrania. Su respuesta frente a Rusia, puede convertir a la UE en un modelo a seguir en la medida en que ha hecho de la necesidad virtud, convirtiendo la descarbonización de su economía en su imperativo estratégico y su principal baza para superar su dependencia del gas y del petróleo ruso.
Topic:: Climate Change, European Union, Rivalry, Multipolarity, Strategic Autonomy, Russia-Ukraine War, Conference of the Parties (COP), and Climate Diplomacy
Political Geography:: Europe

654. La activación de la directiva de protección temporal ante la invasión rusa de Ucrania como instrumento de diplomacia migratoria

Author:: José Díaz Lafuente
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: La Directiva de Protección Temporal constituye uno de los instrumentos jurídicos más controvertidos y debatidos del acervo comunitario. A pesar de los múltiples desplazamientos masivos vividos en Europa en las últimas dos décadas, la Directiva es activada por primera vez el 4 de marzo de 2022, tras la invasión rusa de Ucrania, representado un acuerdo histórico y un hito de solidaridad que ya ha servido para ofrecer protección temporal a más de 4,15 millones de ciudadanos extracomunitarios. El principal objetivo del presente artículo radica en el estudio de la activación de este mecanismo en el marco de la diplomacia migratoria de la UE, analizando los motivos que han podido conducir a su inmediata implementación y los elementos de la actual gestión de situaciones de afluencia masiva en la política migratoria, de asilo y fronteriza de la Unión.
Topic:: European Union, Russia-Ukraine War, Asylum Seekers, and Temporary Protection Visas
Political Geography:: Europe and Ukraine

655. El impacto de la guerra de Ucrania en la política de ampliación y la PEV

Author:: Victoria Rodríguez Prieto
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: El conflicto ucraniano ha tenido un impacto significativo – aunque desigual – en las relaciones de la UE con los Estados de Europa Oriental reflejado en los marcos de Ampliación y Vecindad. Por un lado, la disputa armada ha favorecido mayores vínculos con los principales socios de la región. Fundamentalmente, Ucrania seguida de Moldavia y, en menor medida, Georgia a quienes se les ha llegado a ofrecer la perspectiva de la adhesión. Respecto a Armenia y Azerbaiyán, las relaciones con la UE se siguen desarrollando en la Asociación Oriental. Si bien Ereván mantiene una cooperación más estrecha con Bruselas, esta debe ser reforzada, sobre todo, tras la última ofensiva azerí contra Nagorno Karabaj. Es, precisamente, dicha ofensiva lo que ha puesto de manifiesto las limitaciones del enfoque cortoplacista de la UE con Azerbaiyán. Finalmente, el actual distanciamiento con Bielorrusia (debido al apoyo dado a Moscú en la agresión ucraniana) no tiene precedentes.
Topic:: European Union, Regional Integration, Russia-Ukraine War, and Enlargement
Political Geography:: Europe and Ukraine

656. La Unión Europea y la Justicia Penal Internacional en Ucrania: Más allá del deber

Author:: Carmen Quesada Alcalá
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Históricamente, la Unión Europea ha constituido un gran apoyo para la Corte Penal Internacional (CPI), tanto en su nacimiento, como en la integridad de su instrumento constitutivo (el Estatuto de Roma), así como en el desarrollo de sus funciones. Sin embargo, la agresión de la Federación Rusa a Ucrania ha propiciado el cumplimiento de un nuevo papel de la Unión Europea en su relación con la CPI y en la lucha contra la impunidad de los crímenes internacionales más graves cometidos en dicho conflicto. En este sentido, está siendo decisiva la actuación de Eurojust como centro de armonización de los esfuerzos investigadores en relación con los crímenes cometidos en Ucrania. Igualmente, la puesta en marcha de otros mecanismos novedosos por parte de la Unión Europea revela la consolidación de un rol inédito de la UE en la lucha contra la impunidad.
Topic:: European Union, Impunity, International Crime, International Criminal Court (ICC), Russia-Ukraine War, and Aggression
Political Geography:: Europe and Ukraine

657. ¡Cómo hemos cambiado! La respuesta política de la Unión Europea ante la invasión rusa de Ucrania

Author:: Mercedes Guinea Llorente
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: La Unión Europea se ha visto fuertemente afectada por el conflicto derivado de la invasión rusa de Ucrania de 2022, que no solo amenaza su seguridad, sino que cuestiona su propio modelo. En este artículo analizamos los elementos de innovación que entraña la respuesta de la UE a la guerra en Ucrania. En una primera dimensión, estudiamos los aspectos institucionales relativos a las politics, donde puede verificarse un desarrollo de la PESC. En segundo lugar, analizamos las políticas formuladas para incidir en el conflicto, tanto las actuaciones políticas contra Rusia, como las medidas de apoyo a Ucrania. Se detectan muchos elementos de innovación que muestran una gran ambición, compromiso y determinación por parte de los Estados miembros que atestigua que son conscientes de que en Ucrania se juega su futuro.
Topic:: Security, Foreign Policy, European Union, Regional Politics, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Europe and Ukraine

658. Missed Signals: Analyzing the Failure of Intelligence Cooperation in ASEAN in Preventing the Jolo Cathedral Bombings 2019

Author:: Rachel Kumendong and Ali Abdullah Wibisono
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: This research examines the failure of ASEAN Our Eyes (AOE) to face the 2019 Jolo Cathedral bombings. ASEAN's first intelligence cooperation initiative, known as AOE, was established in 2018 in response to the growing threat of transnational terrorism (ISIS) in the region. The Jolo Cathedral bombing was one of the deadliest suicide bombings in the Philippines, demonstrating the inability of AOE as a counterterrorism mechanism to face the threat of transnational terrorism. The findings of this research shed light on the two major factors - the absence of an agreed standard of procedure and the lack of early warning systems - that contributed to the failure of the AOE. The gaps identified highlight areas for improvement in intelligence cooperation and underscore the need for standardized procedures and robust early warning mechanisms to enhance ASEAN's collective response to transnational terrorist threats.
Topic:: Intelligence, Terrorism, Counter-terrorism, Islamic State, ASEAN, and Intelligence Sharing
Political Geography:: Philippines and Asia-Pacific

659. The Management of Women and Children Associated with Foreign Terrorist Fighters upon Their Returns: A Focus Group Discussion on Possibilities for Repatriation with Practitioners and Government Officials in Indonesia

Author:: Ardhiana Fitriyanie and Zora A. Sukabdi
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: This article focuses on the management of women and children associated with FTFs upon their return to Indonesia, particularly from camps in Syria. This research highlights the urgency of preparing a mechanism for the returnees and the proposed alternative solutions, as the camps in Syria are expected to be closed in the near future. In addition, the use of risk assessment tools to identify the level of risk of each individual will determine the repatriation process, time and individuals to be repatriated within a given period. The results of this research also point to the following as possible solutions (a) the establishment of rehabilitation and deradicalization centers within and outside the country, (b) the preparation of risk assessment and needs mechanisms, (c) the creation of an integrated child adoption system (SAAT) programme, and (d) the establishment of an early warning and early detection system mechanism at the community level.
Topic:: Children, Women, Islamic State, Foreign Fighters, Repatriation, and Risk Assessment
Political Geography:: Indonesia and Southeast Asia

660. Identity and Foreign Policy: Comparative Studies of Indonesian and Malaysian Foreign Policies in Relation to Israel

Author:: Ali Muhammad, Ilham Agustian Candra, and Ahmad Sahide
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: This article compares the foreign policies of Indonesia and Malaysia towards Israel. Through the use of social constructivism, the study examines the extent to which the identity of the state plays a critical role in the foreign policy of both Muslim-majority countries. It argues that Malaysia's anti-Israeli policy and refusal to establish diplomatic relations with Israel is mainly due to its Muslim identity and pressure from Muslim constituencies. In the case of Indonesia, the main factors stem from its national identity, which is strongly anti-colonialist and antiimperialist, as enshrined in its national constitution. Although Muslim identity is also important in Indonesia, it is not the primary determining factor in the country's foreign policy towards Israel.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Bilateral Relations, Constructivism, and Identity
Political Geography:: Indonesia, Malaysia, Middle East, Israel, and Asia-Pacific

661. The Rodrigo Duterte Policy to Bangsamoro in the Southern Philippines

Author:: Ali Maksum, Diar Abdi Hindiarto, and Reevany Bustami
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: The restive Bangsamoro minority's struggle for rights is part of the enduring Muslim South - Christian North political conflict in the Philippines. The Philippine government's efforts to negotiate a peace agreement with the Muslim minority have hit deadlocks and mismatches between the goals of the two parties. Specifically, this study used content analysis to examine the Philippine government's strategy during the Rodrigo Duterte era in realising peace for this protracted conflict with the Bangsamoro minority group. The results showed that Rodrigo Duterte as achieved peace in the Bangsamoro through mediation and negotiation, tools used by the previous government. In addition, Rodrigo Duterte's commitment became more significant by granting regional autonomy rights to Bangsamoro. The critical element enabler of Duterte's strategy was the dual-track negotiations.
Topic:: Minorities, Conflict, Rodrigo Duterte, Muslims, and Bangsamoro
Political Geography:: Philippines and Asia-Pacific

662. Australia-Indonesia Cooperation in Natural Disasters Management in Indonesia through the AIFDR Program 2009-2015

Author:: Nur Azizah and Farhan Nafi'uddin
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: The purpose of this research is to explain Australia's cooperation with Indonesia in managing Indonesian natural disasters through the Australia - Indonesia Facility for Disaster Reduction (AIFDR) programme during 2009-2015. Australia is one of the countries that actively and sympathetically engage with Indonesia on a range of social and international issues, including disaster management. The establishment of the AIFDR was prompted by the weakness of Indonesia's disaster management system, as evidenced by the establishment of a disaster management legal entity with a coordination line under the President in 2008 after several disasters. This article contains three of the many results of AIFDR cooperation during this period.
Topic:: International Cooperation, Bilateral Relations, and Disaster Management
Political Geography:: Indonesia, Australia, and Asia-Pacific

663. Human Rights Issue in Papua: A Systematic Literature Review

Author:: M. Syaprin Zahidi and Muhammad Fuad Bin Othman
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: The issue of human rights in Papua has received considerable scholarly attention in recent years. Therefore, this study uses the comprehensive Scopus database to evaluate global trends in publications related to human rights in Papua. Through bibliometric analysis, the study covers the period from 1981 to 2023. The data was visualised and analysed using VOSviewer software. The results showed that international publications on human rights in Papua covered various topics such as Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, indigenous peoples, West Papua, violence, human rights, geopolitics, foreign policy, investigative journalism, indigenous peoples and local communities, collaborative journalism, pregnant women, separatism and malaria. Australia emerged as the leading country of publication, with many authors associated with its institutions. The classification of human rights issues in this study is divided into three dimensions, namely: a) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; b) International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; c) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Topic:: Human Rights, Violence, Indigenous, and Literature Review
Political Geography:: Papua and Asia-Pacific

664. The Potential Rise of Populism among the Indonesian Muslim Middle Class Post Covid-19 Pandemic

Author:: M. Hasan Syamsudin and Siti Malaiha Dewi
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: The economic and political insecurity faced by Indonesia's Muslim middle class may create opportunities for the rise of populism in Indonesia. This study aims to examine the potential for populism supported by Indonesia's Muslim middle class in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The critical political economy approach, specifically the class-based approach, has been used in this study. This article uses qualitative research methodology and draws on literary sources. The findings suggest the likely emergence of populist politics in Indonesia, triggered by the economic instability caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely affected the Muslim middle class. This has been exacerbated by long-standing socio-economic insecurity caused by unfavorable labor policies. Furthermore, the emergence of Indonesian populist politics is reinforced by the political polarization of the last decade. The mobilization of the vulnerable Muslim middle class by a charismatic leader could fuel the potential rise of populist politics in Indonesia.
Topic:: Populism, COVID-19, Middle Class, Economic Security, and Muslims
Political Geography:: Indonesia and Southeast Asia

665. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth Implementation: A review of the Indonesian case 2018-2022

Author:: Arie Kusuma Paksi, Chalila Raihan Nabilazka, and Krisna Silawa
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: From 2018 to 2021, the global landscape was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Indonesia, which faced the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Asia, demonstrated remarkable resilience in maintaining the Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) trajectory amidst these challenging times. This study aims to scrutinise Indonesia's sustained commitment to sustainable development during the global economic downturn. Using a qualitative methodology and a comprehensive literature review, this study uses the Voluntary National Review (VNR) reports as its primary source. It assesses the achievement of SDG 8 based on the process step indicators established by Allen et al. (2017). Despite experiencing a recession for four consecutive quarters, the study finds that Indonesia has successfully met all the established indicators, although there are challenges and areas that require further attention.
Topic:: Economics, Sustainable Development Goals, Resilience, COVID-19, and Implementation
Political Geography:: Indonesia and Southeast Asia

666. Falsedades y mitos en los estudios sobre migraciones: consecuencias para las Relaciones Internacionales

Author:: José Miguel Bravo and Pablo Rey-García
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: La reproducción de nociones falsas y mitos en los estudios sobre migración disminuye la credibilidad en su conexión con las Relaciones Internacionales y la Seguridad. Para evitar eso, proponemos la utilización del escepticismo creativo como herramienta académica. De esta manera, valoramos el área de estudios sobre migración analizando su desarrollo institucional y la calidad de sus resultados de investigación. Como segundo paso, describimos los seis mitos más persistentes en los estudios sobre migración en las siguientes áreas: en el del Derecho; en el de las Políticas Públicas; en el de la Demografía; en el de la Economía; en el de la Cooperación y el desarrollo y, en el de la Cultura, por la importancia que para estas investigaciones tienen las distintas etnias y religiones. Concluye el artículo con ejemplos de las implicaciones que el uso de mitos tiene para las relaciones internacionales entre Estados miembros de la Unión Europea.
Topic:: International Relations, Migration, Immigration, Myths, and Pseudoscience
Political Geography:: Global Focus

667. Los problemas surgidos tras el grave conflicto Israelí-Palestino en Gaza a raíz de los ataques de Hamás del 7 de octubre de 2023

Author:: Romualdo Bermejo and Natalia Ordoñez
Publication Date:: 05-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Los ataques del 7 de octubre de 2023 por parte de Hamás contra Israel, y las atrocidades cometidas por los milicianos y terroristas de esta organización, pasarán a la historia como un ejemplo de barbarie, por mucho que no todos los Estados los hayan condenado, e incluso tácitamente aprobado. Si para Israel esto ha sido un segundo "Holocausto", para otros Estados y actores se ha ejercido un derecho de "resistencia". Estos ataques han suscitado una dura reacción de Israel y de sus fuerzas armadas sobre la Franja de Gaza, que es criticada por no respetar el Derecho internacional humanitario, dejando de lado el derecho de legítima defensa. En este contexto, ha vuelto la idea de la creación de un Estado palestino, ahora con más ímpetu,
Topic:: Human Rights, Hamas, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), October 7, 2023 Gaza War, and Two-State Solution
Political Geography:: Russia, China, Middle East, Israel, Palestine, Gaza, and United States of America

668. Navigating New Waters: Russian Military Aggression on Ukraine and Effects on the Visegrad Group

Author:: Jaroslav Ušiak
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: In this article, the author examines the dynamic evolution of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries in response to Russia's war on Ukraine. Although V4 cooperation is deeply rooted in shared historical experiences, recent geopolitical challenges have revealed significant differences among member countries. Poland and the Czech Republic are strongly supportive of Ukraine and oriented towards NATO, while Hungary and Slovakia are more ambivalent, creating internal tensions. The author examines the factors that shape national identities and their influence on these divergent responses, highlighting that these factors have implications for the future of the V4 countries. The researcher used mixed methods to analyse official documents, political speeches and opinion poll data from the V4 countries, to examine the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on V4 unity and solidarity, and to consider the implications for the future of the V4 countries. The findings point to a fragile unity and growing concerns about the V4's ability to respond coherently to external threats.
Topic:: Solidarity, Identity, Visegrad Group, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, and Ukraine

669. The Future of Liberal World Order from a Central and Eastern European Perspective

Author:: Peter Rada and Laura Nyilas
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: It is now generally accepted that the global order is shifting, but the literature is divided on how. Consequently, it is not surprising that there is a lack of strong scholarship on the characteristics of the order from a Central and Eastern European (CEE) perspective. Therefore, this article aims to explore the future of the Liberal World Order (LWO) from this perspective through the lens of mainstream theories. The article looks at the geopolitical dynamics of the region and the evolving strategic perceptions of the LWO. It examines how CEE, traditionally seen as the frontier of the LWO (EU and NATO), is navigating the complexities of the current global political landscape in the light of the changing order. The second part of the article specifically analyses the security perceptions of CEE governments. The article seeks to contribute to the understanding of the future trajectory of the LWO, the potential implications for global peace and security, and the interplay of realism and liberalism in shaping our understanding of this trajectory from the CEE perspective.
Topic:: International Relations, Geopolitics, Liberalism, and International Order
Political Geography:: Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Europe

670. State of Democracy in Central Europe after the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Author:: Lucia Husenicova
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: The central question of this article is why Russian military aggression in Ukraine has failed to strengthen support for democracy and cooperation with partners in some Central European countries. In addition, the article examines the link between military conflict in the immediate neighbourhood and the crisis of democracy. Based on a review of the extensive literature on the crisis of democracy, the article integrates findings from several opinion polls conducted in Central European countries. Looking primarily at the Visegrad countries, clear patterns emerge in responses and attitudes towards Russia. We can see the influence of the political discourse in these countries, the narratives used by political elites and, more recently, war fatigue and economic consequences. The article argues that a military conflict in the vicinity of democratic countries exacerbates the crisis of democracy. The information warfare that is part of this conflict and the susceptibility of the political elite to the dissemination of enemy propaganda undermines trust in democratic institutions and democracy.
Topic:: Democracy, Regional Politics, Russia-Ukraine War, and Aggression
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, Ukraine, and Central Europe

671. Illiberal Populism as a Polarizing Factor of Regional Cooperation in Central Europe

Author:: Ladislav Cabada
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Central European identity and regionality are very traditional and deeply rooted discourses. Over the past 35 years, a number of regional cooperation formats have emerged, among which the Visegrad Group has acquired a special position. This weakly institutionalised and thematically selective regional organisation has nevertheless established itself in the last 15 years as one of the visible actors of socalled populist regionalism. The (partial) transformation of the V4 towards populist foreign policy, national conservatism and Euroscepticism is the subject of our analysis. Using the concepts of populist regionalism and illiberal populism, it focuses on the formation of a monolithic discourse of the V4 as a group opposed to the international liberal order and the "Brussels agenda" in terms of values and public policies. We also examine the negative implications of this populist appropriation of the V4 for the region's position within the EU.
Topic:: Regional Cooperation, Populism, Polarization, Russia-Ukraine War, and Illiberalism
Political Geography:: Europe and Central Europe

672. «We are not pro-Russian, but…». Comparing Communication of Czech ANO Movement and Slovak SMER-SD Regarding the Russian Aggression Against Ukraine.

Author:: Ondřej Filipec and Petra Měšťánková
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 represented a significant change in the geopolitical situation in Central and Eastern Europe, which was almost immediately reflected in the communication of political parties and their leaders. The main aim of this article is to analyse the communication of two populist parties: the Czech ANO movement of billionaire Andrej Babiš and the Slovak SMER-SD, mainly associated with its leader Robert Fico. Although both parties occupy important positions within the party systems of their respective countries and both are considered populist, they use different communication strategies and levels of pro-Russian orientation. The different communication strategies are analysed in the context of the electorate, inter-party relations, the coalition/opposition dichotomy and the personal influence of their leaders.
Topic:: War, Communications, Populism, Political Parties, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Europe, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Czechia

673. Wedged between East and West – The chances of an interest-based Hungarian foreign policy and the war in Ukraine

Author:: Andrea Schmidt
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Hungarian foreign policy has been in the international spotlight, raising doubts about its direction. The purpose of this article is to highlight the contradictions between an interest-based and a value-based foreign policy. A theoretical introduction is followed by a brief analysis of the elements of a pragmatic foreign policy. At the same time, the second part of the paper presents a short case study from the Western Balkans. The Hungarian position on two countries, Kosovo and Serbia, will be analysed, not forgetting that these two countries are examples of the changes that have taken place in the relations between Hungary and Serbia. Despite earlier nationalist tensions, Serbia has become Hungary's almost sole ally in the region, putting the minority issue in the background and adopting a pragmatic approach. In this essay, we will also try to identify the considerations that guided Hungarian diplomacy in its position towards the West. Finally, we will discuss the extent to which the original goal of "occupying Brussels" was realistic and the consequences of Hungary's pragmatic foreign policy.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Conflict, Pragmatism, and Regional Politics
Political Geography:: Europe, Hungary, and Western Balkans

674. Maverick or Front-runner? Army Modernization in Hungary in the Light of the Other Visegrad Countries

Author:: Sandor Gallai and Daniel Gyuriss
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: This article compares Hungary's defence modernisation policy with that of the other Visegrad countries and finds that Poland has invested the most in developing its military capabilities and, together with the Czech Republic, has benefited considerably from rising international demand stimulated by the war. Both combined the purchase of modern equipment with the award of government contracts to local suppliers. Slovakia followed the same pattern, but without significant export capacity. Hungary, on the other hand, was unable to prevent the collapse of its former defence industry. As a result, its current development programme uniquely integrates the goals of army modernisation with the plan for rebuilding the sector, which relies heavily on the participation of large European companies, whose role is less important in the other countries. Two other distinctive features of the Hungarian modernisation policy are its embeddedness in broader economic and regional policies, and the creation of six distinct territorial clusters where the reorganisation of the sector is taking place.
Topic:: Defense Policy, Modernization, Visegrad Group, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Europe, Hungary, and Czech Republic

675. Socio-economic consequences for Central Europe related to the mass migration of Ukrainian citizens after Russia’s full-scale invasion

Author:: Łukasz Jureńczyk and Svitlana Soroka
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused displacement on a scale not seen since the Second World War. More than 6.5 million refugees from Ukraine have been registered worldwide (as of 16 May 2024), and more than 4.2 million Ukrainians have received temporary protection in the EU. Most of them found shelter in Poland and Germany. These countries have received an influx of migrants that corresponds to the logic of their demographic development. Ukrainians are almost an ideal demographic resource for Central Europe. In August 2023, only one person in three wanted to return to Ukraine. If the Ukrainian refugees are properly adapted, they will provide additional development impulses to the countries where they reside.
Topic:: Migration, Refugees, Labor Market, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Russia, Ukraine, and Central Europe

676. The End of a Partnership and Cooperation. How Sino-Russian partnership ruined perception of China in Central Europe

Author:: Šárka Waisová
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: Since the first decade of the 21st century, pro-China attitudes have gradually become the political mainstream in Central Europe. Today, however, the relationship between Central European countries and Beijing is different. While Beijing remains an important partner for Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland have turned away from cooperation with China, and Slovakia's enthusiasm for China has cooled somewhat. This article examines why the Czech Republic and Poland, but not Slovakia and Hungary, have stopped building and maintaining their relations with China. It uses contrafactual analysis to find an answer. The article concludes that what caused the change and ruined the relations between Czechia and Poland on the one hand and China on the other hand was China's building of relations with Russia. In contrast, Hungary and Fico's Slovakia, which have repeatedly refused to recognise the Russian invasion of Ukraine and have maintained relations with Moscow, continue to have good relations with China
Topic:: International Cooperation, Bilateral Relations, and Partnerships
Political Geography:: Russia, China, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Central Europe, and Slovakia

677. Securitization of Cooperation: The Three Seas Initiative in the shadow of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Author:: Łukasz Lewkowicz
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) is a relatively new format of regional cooperation in Central Europe. The main objective of 3SI activities is the development of energy, transport and digital infrastructure in the region. Following the outbreak of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war in February 2014, the security dimension of 3SI activities has become more important. The last 3SI Summit was held in Vilnius in April 2024. The aim of this article is primarily to analyse the military dimension of the Three Seas Initiative's activities after the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022. The text presents the military potential of the 3SI countries and the diversified approach of the member states to the Russian-Ukrainian war. It also analyses the Lithuanian 3SI perspective, the decisions of the Vilnius Summit and the prospects for 3SI military cooperation. Due to the relatively new nature of the research topic, the analysis focuses primarily on recently published specialist texts.
Topic:: Regional Cooperation, Securitization, Russia-Ukraine War, and Three Seas Initiative (3SI)
Political Geography:: Russia, Europe, Ukraine, and Central Europe

678. Evolution of Baltic Security: Analysis of Threats and Strategic Responses

Author:: Ricardo Rodríguez Cobos
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Revista UNISCI/UNISCI Journal
Institution:: Unidad de investigación sobre seguridad y cooperación (UNISCI)
Abstract:: This article explores the evolution of security in the Baltic region, focusing first on Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and analysing the key challenges posed by the Russian Federation since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent security measures taken by NATO through the Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) mission. It details the strategic responses of the Baltic states, highlighting their military modernisation, defence cooperation with NATO and growing reliance on multinational exercises. The article also examines the role of Poland as a key player in NATO's eastern flank defence and the integration of Finland and Sweden into NATO, emphasising their contribution to strengthening the Baltic and Arctic security architecture. The analysis concludes with an examination of the multiple threats that characterise the region's security environment, underlining the importance of coherent multinational defence strategies.
Topic:: Security, NATO, Deterrence, and Threat Assessment
Political Geography:: Europe and Baltic States

679. The Chinese Migrant Workers in Indonesia: A Contested Security Issue

Author:: Ali Maksum
Publication Date:: 06-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: The influx of Chinese migrant workers in Indonesia has become a contentious debate and is perceived publicly as a threat. Chinese migrant workers are accused of seizing local occupational employment amidst high local unemployment. The government has repeatedly told people that Chinese workers are not a threat. In fact, several issues involving Chinese workers have arisen, for example, related to residence permits, involvement in smuggling, involvement in crime, even suspicion that Chinese workers were members of security forces. This article examines two competing representations of Chinese migrant workers in Indonesia. First, a public representation which is negative and strongly attempts to securitize Chinese migrant workers. Second, the government representation that views Chinese migrant workers in a more positive light and that acts as a form of counter-securitization. The paper argues that the failure of securitization of Chinese migrant workers by the public is due to staunch counter-securitization carried out on a massive scale by the government through political apparatus, mainstream media and social media influencers.
Topic:: Security, Smuggling, Labor Market, Migrant Workers, and Securitization
Political Geography:: China, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia

680. Development and Metric Validity of “Escala De Fricção Logística (EFL)” for Assessment of Military Boarder Organizations’ Supply

Author:: Tassio Franchi, Angela Nogueira Neves, Luis Fernando Tavares Ferreira, and Eduardo Xavier Ferreira Glaser Migon
Publication Date:: 09-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: This article aimed to create and conduct a metric evaluation - with the establishment of evidence of construct validity and internal reliability – the Escala da Fricção Logística (EFL), adjusted for the Amazonian environment. Methodologically, the research is divided into two studies; the first, focused on the creation of the instrument, which followed already consolidated recommendations for measurement scales by theory. A second, in which the metric evaluation of the theoretical structure foreseen for the EFL is carried out. The items were evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis, with extraction by partial least squares, in order to generate evidence of construct validity and internal reliability. For this analysis, the EFL was answered by 110 military personnel who served in border organizations. The results indicated that the scale with 16 items divided into three factors - individual, environment and equipment - is valid and reliable to assess the logistical friction in the Amazon frontier region. An instrument is available that can be useful to generate data for the improvement of public policies in the areas of Defense and Transport.
Topic:: Border Control, Borders, Supply, Military, and Evaluation
Political Geography:: Brazil and Amazon Basin

681. The Impact of the Ukraine War on Antarctic Geopolitics Through Fuzzy Cognitive Maps

Author:: Luiz Octavio Gaviao and Michael Bilac Barbosa de Oliveira
Publication Date:: 09-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the impact of the Ukrainian War on the geopolitics of Antarctica. Beyond the borders of the countries involved, the most immediate and noticeable impact of a conflict of this nature is evident in the economic environment. However, international relations are tested or shaken, exerting pressure on treaties and cooperation agreements between countries, through the reappearance of past political issues. In 1959, the Antarctic Treaty sought to protect the continent from territorial pressures capable of affecting its natural balance, but this type of conflict compromises international cooperation and brings to light old interests in resource exploration in that region. This complex system, composed of cause and effect forces that involve the interests of the different countries involved in Antarctic geopolitics, was quantitatively modeled by cognitive maps, which explore artificial intelligence concepts to evaluate the behavior of these forces. The results indicated trends in relation to 12 driving forces selected from the literature and evaluated by experts from the Brazilian Antarctic Program, allowing the evaluation of the dynamics of the system over time.
Topic:: International Relations, International Cooperation, Treaties and Agreements, Geopolitics, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Russia, Ukraine, and Antarctica

682. U.S. Grand Strategy in the Early Cold War: Priorities, Concerns and Policy Actions

Author:: Humayun Javed
Publication Date:: 09-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: The study aims to identify U.S. concerns and priorities in the immediate post-WWII era while exploring the primary American considerations in formulating a grand strategy during the early Cold War. The paper addresses the question that were Washington’s policy choices during the last stages of the Second World War and early Cold War primarily being driven by Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe. The study is qualitative in nature and uses exploratory research because the existing literature on the early Cold War does not sufficiently explain the rationale for American policymakers to adopt a global role. The research argues that the unmatched extent of U.S. power and influence, along with an ambitious vision to reshape the postwar institutional and security architecture, allowed Washington to formulate a grand strategy for its economic and political footprint in Asia and Europe, where the Soviet Union remained the only standing – yet immensely devastated – victorious power. Moscow’s own traditional insecurities on its western frontier and its considerable strategic influence and vision to shape the political and security landscape in Europe produced U.S.-Soviet tensions as their cooperation due to a common German threat had vanished. Therefore, American leadership was focused on taking global responsibility in the early Cold War to shape postwar international economic and political order in light of the prewar lessons and contain Soviet power and influence from jeopardizing U.S. preeminence on the global stage.
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Cold War, History, Grand Strategy, and Soviet Union
Political Geography:: North America and United States of America

683. The Great Reset and the Near-Term Implications for the Chinese Economy

Author:: R. Reghunanadhan and J. T. Karackattu
Publication Date:: 09-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: The Great Reset has had a severe impact on the Chinese economy, with implications domestically, and on the global supply chain. One consequence has been the decline in the overall market demand in China, with a significant negative impact on infrastructure development and the labour industry. A unique aspect is a survey is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on innovation and integration of digital technologies in China. The authors explicate the impact of the Great Reset on the Chinese economy, the implications on the supply chains that China is a crucial part of, and the global implications thereof.
Topic:: Labor Issues, Economy, Innovation, COVID-19, Supply Chains, and Great Reset
Political Geography:: China and Asia

684. Indonesia’s G20 Presidency and Middle Power Diplomacy

Author:: Tatok Djoko Sudiarto, Febry Triantama, and Bimantoro Kushari Pramono
Publication Date:: 09-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: International Politics has not been immune to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing that a country's behavior patterns and policies are inextricably linked to its national interests and power distribution in the international system. In this context, developed countries have a relatively higher level of preparedness than developing nations, whether middle or small powers. It includes the ability of developed countries to produce vaccines, whereas developing states rely on imported vaccines. However, the presence of international organizations such as the G20, APEC, and ASEAN has not thoroughly resolved this issue. Consequently, efforts are required to resolve problems. These efforts exemplify the characteristics of diplomacy carried out by middle-powers like Indonesia. Through an analysis of the prioritized agendas of Indonesia's G20 Presidency, the present study discovered that preparing the agendas in question was intrinsically linked to Indonesia's efforrs to build bridges between developed and developing countries. Thus, Indonesia expected G20 could provide advantages to both developed and developing countries. In addition to employing the concept of middle power as an analytical framework, this research was conducted by scraping the web for relevant information, which was then analyzed using the Corpus-Assisted Discourse Study method.
Topic:: Development, Diplomacy, G20, Middle Power, and International Politics
Political Geography:: Indonesia and Southeast Asia

685. India’s Strategic Choices in the Multipolar World

Author:: Surendra Kumar Yadawa
Publication Date:: 09-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: The post-World War II landscape underwent a seismic shift, crystallising into a bipolar structure with the US-led West facing off against the Soviet Union, instigating the Cold War. However, the USSR's collapse in 1991 shattered this bipolarity, ushering in an era of American dominance (unipolarity). Yet, this once unassailable US-led global order is undergoing rapid contraction. In its wake, a fresh paradigm is unfolding as novel power centres coalesce to address shared dissatisfactions. Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran forge convergences, beckoning others to unite against US-led supremacy. Astonishingly, Saudi Arabia aligns with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a dialogue partner, relegating its erstwhile oil-for-security doctrine to antiquity. Simultaneously, the Brazilian President advocates terminating dollar supremacy. In a bold affront, Russia challenges the US world order through its Ukrainian incursion. Notably, Emmanuel Macron declares Taiwan beyond the West's scope, potentially puncturing American hegemony. This paper fervently explores how the burgeoning multipolar world order engenders arenas for regional powers, scrutinising the prospects and hurdles that confront New Delhi as it navigates India’s foreign policy.
Topic:: Security, Foreign Policy, Cold War, History, and Multipolarity
Political Geography:: South Asia and India

686. Turkey’s Dilemma and Strategic Stability

Author:: Jean-Pier de Vasconcellos Esquia and José Miguel Quedi Martins
Publication Date:: 09-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy International Relations
Institution:: Postgraduate Program in International Strategic Studies, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Abstract:: This article deals with Turkey’s international relations and the impact of its choices in the International System (IS) in this new era marked by the return of competition between the world powers. Specifically, it discusses the Turkish dilemma, reduced to two possible courses of action: between adherence to revolutionary behavior, or association with the institutions of the Emerging Industrial Axis. This dilemma is confronted with Turkey’s trajectory since the end of the Ottoman Empire, in an explanatory historical effort. As for strategic stability, it should be clarified that it is understood as the set of elements that shape the ‘rules’ of the game in a multipolar world. The question that guides the research is how will Turkey’s international insertion take place? The hypothesis that runs through the text is that, unlike other times when Turkey has been subjugated by international constraints, this time it will be able to choose its form of insertion into the IS. The article is divided into five parts. The first concerns the predominance of necessity in Turkey’s IR trajectory. The second deals with the legacy of extra-economic coercion, which the US used during unipolarity, and the challenges this poses for strategic stability - which must be approached from a multidimensional perspective. The third part deals with Turkey’s insertion into the South-South Axis - it remains to be seen whether it will also join its institutions. The fourth part deals with revolutionary behavior. Finally, the fifth and last part deals with the role of the Middle East in the outcome of the Turkish dilemma.
Topic:: International Relations, History, Strategic Stability, International System, and Regional Politics
Political Geography:: Turkey and Middle East

687. Prioritizing Palestinian Self-Determination is Long Overdue

Author:: Omar Auf
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: The discussion about a one-state or two-state solution must be preceded by efforts to facilitate exercise of the right to self-determination by the Palestinian people. Only then can a realistic solution be genuinely pursued.
Topic:: International Law, Self-Determination, Palestinians, and Two-State Solution
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, and Palestine

688. Less Than a State

Author:: Sean Lee
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Without a new framework that ensures true sovereignty and security for a future Palestinian state, the two-state solution will remain a farce
Topic:: Security, Sovereignty, State, Israeli–Palestinian Conflict, and Two-State Solution
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, and Palestine

689. Politics of Apathy and All-Out War in the Post-Gaza New World

Author:: Abdalhadi Alijla
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: The genocidal campaign against the Gaza Strip threatens widening of the conflict into a regional war, creating new realities that may endure for decades
Topic:: Genocide, Armed Conflict, International Order, Regional Politics, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

690. Why Hamas Cannot Be Destroyed

Author:: Grace Wermenbol
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Israel’s strategy to eradicate Hamas by killing off its leadership has proven ineffective for decades; the current war demonstrates the myopic nature of this approach
Topic:: Non State Actors, Leadership, Assassination, Hamas, October 7, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

691. Iranians Don’t Want a War With Israel

Author:: Kourosh Ziabari
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Most believe that Tehran’s engagement in the battle for Palestinian emancipation is intrusive and uncalled for
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Armed Conflict, Regional Politics, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: Iran, Middle East, Israel, and Palestine

692. The Olympics: Arenas of Contention

Author:: Jung Woo Lee
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: Political tensions simmered under the facade of international communion at the Paris 2024 Games as countries competed both on and off the stage
Topic:: Politics, Sports, Olympics, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: France and Global Focus

693. China Tests the Water in Palestinian Diplomacy

Author:: Ramzy Baroud
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: While the ramifications of the recent unity agreement signed in Beijing by multiple Palestinian factions remain to be seen, it is evident that China has stepped up as a leader in the region
Topic:: Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, and Treaties and Agreements
Political Geography:: China, Middle East, Asia, and Palestine

694. Don’t Forget About the Red Sea

Author:: Burak Şakir Şeker
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: A widening of Israel’s War on Gaza could threaten the vital Red Sea waterway and lead to a global economic crisis
Topic:: Trade, Shipping, Economic Crisis, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Yemen, Palestine, and Red Sea

695. Looking Backward into The Future: Why the United Nations Has Failed to Prevent Genocide

Author:: Gregory H. Stanton
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: At its root, genocide is committed through a lack of empathy, and it has failed to be prevented by a lack of political will. It is time to reverse those failings by rethinking our systems and challenging our assumptions.
Topic:: Genocide, United Nations, Atrocity Prevention, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, and Palestine

696. Is Israel’s Star Fading in Latin America?

Author:: Jodor Jalit
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: The Latin American response to Israel’s war on Gaza could help strengthen the rich but neglected cultural ties with Arab states
Topic:: International Relations, Foreign Policy, Bilateral Relations, and Public Opinion
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Gaza, Arab Countries, and Latin America

697. Hamas “From the Heart of Battle”: Analyzing Abu Obaida’s Discourse

Author:: Sophia Agathocleous and Erwin van Veen
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: The frames and focus of the speeches of Hamas spokesperson Abu Obaida reveal the group’s strategic goals and the psychological warfare used to achieve them.
Topic:: Ideology, Hamas, Psychological Warfare, 2023 Gaza War, and Abu Obaida
Political Geography:: Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

698. A Reading on the Future of Hamas

Author:: Omar Shaban
Publication Date:: 10-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:: School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:: The aftermath of October 7, and assassination of senior commanders, has forced an existential rethink within Hamas
Topic:: Non State Actors, Hamas, October 7, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:: Middle East, Palestine, and Gaza

699. The Future of Elections in Ukraine

Author:: Razumkov Centre
Publication Date:: 06-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: National Security and Defence
Institution:: Razumkov Centre
Abstract:: The project «The Future of Elections in Ukraine: The Factor of War» was carried out by the Razumkov Centre with the support of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in Ukraine in May- September 2024, during the third year of Ukraine’s full-scale war against the russian aggressor. The project included an analytical report, a nationwide sociological and expert survey, an offline roundtable involving experts in the fields of law and political science, and original articles by renowned experts in electoral law. This publication contains an abridged version of the analytical report and the main findings of the expert and sociological surveys in descriptive form. All project materials (in Ukrainian) are available in a special issue of the National Security and Defence journal (№1-2, 2024). '
Topic:: National Security, Law, Elections, Domestic Politics, Political Science, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:: Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe

700. CTC Sentinel: January 2024 Issue

Author:: Haroun Rahimi, Andrew Watkins, Gabriel Weimann, Alexander T. Pack, and Rachel Sulciner
Publication Date:: 01-2024
Content Type:: Journal Article
Journal:: CTC Sentinel
Institution:: The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract:: In the feature article, Haroun Rahimi and Andrew Watkins assess Taliban rule two and a half years into their renewed control of Afghanistan. They write: “Since their 2021 takeover, the Taliban have consolidated control over an impoverished and austere postwar Afghanistan. Since their victory, the Taliban’s emir has reasserted his status as a ‘supreme leader’ and oriented domestic policy in favor of highly conservative constituencies—which has revealed deep differences among their leadership of visions for the future of the Afghan state and society and how authority is divided among themselves. Yet, the Taliban have persistently prioritized the cohesion of their movement and governing apparatus. This trajectory has earned condemnation from Western states and prompted caution in the entire world’s engagement, which has in turn fueled Taliban motivations to reject foreign demands. After two and a half years of rule, the Taliban’s domestic agenda has become intertwined with their foreign relations impasse.” Gabriel Weimann, Alexander Pack, Rachel Sulciner, Joelle Scheinin, Gal Rapaport, and David Diaz write that “with the arrival and rapid adoption of sophisticated deep-learning models such as ChatGPT, there is growing concern that terrorists and violent extremists could use these tools to enhance their operations online and in the real world. Large language models have the potential to enable terrorists to learn, plan, and propagate their activities with greater efficiency, accuracy, and impact than ever before.” The authors offer “an early exploration of how these large language models could be exploited by terrorists or other violent extremists … to support their efforts in training, conducting operational planning, and developing propaganda.” Georgia Gilroy decodes al-Shabaab’s social media strategy, outlining the “controlled, adaptive, and coordinated approach the terrorist group takes to its online behavior.” She writes that the group’s “continued resilience, even in the face of mounting counterinsurgency efforts, is underpinned by its sophisticated communications architecture.” Christian Jokinen assesses whether left-wing terrorism is making a comeback in Germany in a case study of the violent left-wing Engel – Guntermann network. He writes that “the recent concerning trend among German left-wing extremists is toward greater violence and transnationalism.”
Topic:: Terrorism, Taliban, Violent Extremism, Artificial Intelligence, Leftist Politics, and Al-Shabaab
Political Geography:: Afghanistan, Europe, South America, Germany, and Global Focus

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COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS