Security and Defence Quarterly

Number 8 (3), 2015

5-16
The Ukraine Crisis and the V4’s defence and military adaptation. An academic interview

Authors: Robert Kupiecki

Abstract

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Number of views: 26

In August 2015, I was approached by the Prague Security Studies Institute, to share my scholarly and practitioner’s perspective on the impact the war in Ukraine has had on Polish defence, and Poland’s expectations concerning military cooperation within the so called Visegrad Group nations (V-4: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary). It has been part of a broader international scholarly research project conducted by the Institute. Beyond the net value of the project itself, all issues raised in the questionnaire, I consider relevant for understanding the situation regarding the region’s defence following Russian aggression in the Ukraine. They are also useful in the academic field for sharing some hard data and analysis regarding Poland, and V-4 defence

17-39
Geopolitical situation of Ukraine and its importance

Authors: Bálint Störk

Abstract

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Number of views: 23

Ukraine’s importance points beyond the fact that this area is Europe’s second largest state in area and the largest part of it dominates the East European Plain. Its geopolitical position has an important role in Europe. But what is geopolitics? Why do we need to clarify this term? Because, throughout history, scientists have defined this from various aspects from the geographical, historical, political, anthropological, geo-historical, military-geographical and geostrategical point of view.

43-68
Public relations and the military – Evaluation of the Slovenian armed forces

Authors: Liliana Brožič

Abstract

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Number of views: 25

Public confidence in the armed forces as a national institution is of great significance and directly related to the conditions for its operation and, thus, the functioning of the state. Both wish to operate openly, transparently and in cooperation with civic society. The armed forces as a social institution can be maintained only if they fulfil the public’s imperatives. In terms of the public and the media, a question arises regarding the balance between social and functional imperatives, the latter representing a fundamental mission of the armed forces. We wanted to know what public relations are like in the case of the Slovenian Armed Forces; how they are seen by internal and external stakeholders. Among the latter, we focused on the general public’s opinion, the opinion of media representatives and the opinion of experts from academia. The findings derived from various projects in the period between 2010 and 2013 were the basis for determining orientations for the future

69-80
“Frontex - the only organisation that fights for Europe against illegal immigrants”

Authors: Marta Pawelczyk

Abstract

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Number of views: 51

In the world we live in there are lots of conflicts and a large majority of people don’t even know how serious they are. Wars that are ongoing in African and Asian territories are causing refugees to migrate to Europe illegally. To fight this issue, the European Union has formed Frontex. The aim of this article is to explore the organisation and review how they handle operations that keep us, Europeans safe. This article intends to examine the problems of immigration and the effect it then carries.

81-99
Forecast changes in the macroeconomic environment, their impact on the state security system in the 21st century

Authors: Adam Radomyski, Witold Materak

Abstract

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Number of views: 27

The contents of this article refer to theoretical considerations that concern the forecasting of strategic changes in the state security system, including the events taking place in its macroeconomic environment. In this regard, the authors have emphasised the complexity of modifications to the state security system, which should take into account not only the resources, but also changes in various spheres of its macroeconomic environment. The authors draw attention to the fact that, in practice, in the functioning of the state security system, any change of strategic (long-term) plans and their rational implementation requires the development of future scenarios. Their development allows for early identification of future threats to national security that might arise with changes in economic, political, technical, social and international spheres or be consequential. It is undoubtedly a very complex process requiring, first and foremost, a very good knowledge of the basic principles of strategic management, understanding the essence of national security and the ability to perceive opportunities and risks in turbulent environments. In this respect, the key importance is growing strategic thinking ability, which is just as important for a small country, as well as global hegemony.

103-129
Conflicts of the 21st century based on multidimensional warfare – “hybrid warfare”, disinformation and manipulation

Authors: Marzena Araźna

Abstract

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Number of views: 43

According to H. Schiller, manipulation is a tool of conquest. The oldest forms of manipulation were ideologies. Fabrice d’Almeida referred to manipulation appearing in the eighteenth century, but, according to Schiller, it appeared in the nineteenth century with the discountenance of physical oppression. The use of manipulation as a tool for fighting intensified after 1945. Nowadays, manipulation has changed when it comes to factors such as the strength of impact, range, and multitude. An important factor influencing the use of manipulation is modern technology. New environmental conditions influence the character and typology of conflicts. Changes in the environmental conditions enlarge the field of possible threats. Nowadays, we can observe that contemporary conflicts have a large complex scale, which has been extended by globalisation, the information age, advanced technologies and a new division of power in the world. Multidimensional methods of conducting modern warfare pose a threat, not only to soldiers, but also to civilians and societies as the whole. “Hybrid warfare” presents a unique combination of threats: conventional military operations, asymmetric warfare, irregular operations, terrorism, cyber threats and other tactics. “Hybrid warfare”, disinformation and manipulation blur the term of war and make it imprecise in the field of international law. The described activities require a multidimensional approach from all countries.

130-148
Surprise or instantaneity as a principle of war

Authors: Kalin Gradev

Abstract

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Number of views: 29

The analysis of different military theories shows that the notions of “instantaneity” and “surprise” are frequently used as synonyms. Thus, in certain periods of the development of military science, in the works of different military analysts, as well as in the regulating documents, as principles of war we can encounter, at times, the term “instantaneity” and, at times, the term “surprise”. One question arises: “Should these two terms be considered identical, bearing in mind their semantical proximity, or is it necessary to seek differences in their essence and purpose in military science?”