Security and Defence Quarterly

3-21

Authors: Risto Gabrielsson, Zdzislaw Sliwa

The enduring global warming has opened new views on the exploitation of the Arctic.

7-33

Authors: Dąbrówka Smolny

The choice of the problematic subject of this article was imposed by the need for reflection on the national security control system of the Republic of Poland in the context of the present and the foreseen trends in the Polish security environment, including the challenges (chances and threats) of the country’s security, as well as the needs, objectives and national interests. It is still a more common view that a comprehensive approach to the issue of national security is a must, i.e. the attitude which significantly exceeds the traditional understanding of national security through the prism of defence, the attitude integrating, relatively singlehandedly, and the functioning systems which complete tasks within the broad scope of security. Emphasis is also put on the need for a review of the present competences of the executive powers in the scope of national security control, in order to eliminate the cases when the scope of authorisation is duplicated as well as to supplement the areas which noone bears responsibility for.

50-70

Authors: Grzegorz Sobolewski, Monika Sikora

The security of Poland is most of all under the influence of process and phenomena which are taking place in the surrounding environment – in a regional, European and Euro-Atlantic dimension. Observing these changes in the area of security, both national as well as international, can result in the assumption that contemporary challenges and hazards are the consequence of complex and interrelated political, economic and social processes in the national and international environment.

87-119

Authors: Risto Gabrielson, Zdzisław Śliwa

The Arctic area with its harsh climate and austere icecap has not raised any great international passions in the past. However, enduring global warming has opened new views on exploitation of that area. If the climate gets steadily warmer in the future, it could mean the opening of the Northwest Passage for ship routes. On the other hand, it is estimated that the region has got remarkable gas reserves, which could amount to as much as 30 % of the world’s undiscovered reserves, as well as oil, which encompasses some 13 % of world’s undiscovered stocks. As for now, any serious international conflicts in this area are not likely, even though there are real expectations and claims imposed by several nations. The current peaceful cooperation is supported by feasible treaties that are already in place. Until lately, the work of the Arctic Council has not raised any great international attentiveness, but the expected development in the area has activated stronger interest from many countries, and not only those from the Arctic region. There are several regional disputes among the five states, USA, Canada, Russia, Norway and Denmark about the Arctic Ocean. As expert opinion still differs quite significantly about the resources available in the Arctic region and about the feasibility of the Northwest and Northeast routes, it is hard to say if there are any practical economic gains to be achieved. Although cooperation between the nations has been peaceful, the military presence in the area is increasing. Moreover, it remains to be seen how the recent Ukrainian crisis will affect the development in the area.

139-140

Authors: Piotr Gawliczek,

On 23-24 June 2014 the delegation of the National Defence University of Warsaw participated in the 3rd Functional Clearing House on Military Education in Bucharest,Romania. The delegation was headed by MG (ret.) Bogusław Pacek, Assoc. Prof., accompanied by the NDU Rector’s Representative for the Innovation, Capt. Navy (ret.)Piotr Gawliczek, Assoc. Prof. The conference, organised by NATO Headquarters, was co-hosted in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence of Romania

144-146

Authors: Bogusław Pacek

This year’s symposium was sponsored by the Academy of Military Sciences (AMS) of the People’s Liberation Army and the China Research Society of Sun Tzu’s Art of War (CRSSTAW) and co-sponsored by the Shandong Provincial People’s Government.

7-28

Authors: Robert Kupiecki

A few outstanding studies set the tone for many more publications on the subject. They suggest a theoretical approach to the issue, intending to inform policies of democratic governments about how to transform victory into long-term political benefits. It is so because,the goals for which wars are fought can only be understood if they are perceived in a broader context, extending beyond the very act of violence

46-60

Authors: Gábor Boldizsar

Between the two World Wars paratroopers or airborne units were set up in preparation for the coming conflicts as the means of the vertical envelopement. During World War II several airborne operations were conducted. The strength of paratroopers deployed ranged from the individual troopers to tens of thousands. During the Cold War era militaries in different conflicts also used parachutes as a delivery system, airborne and special forces units for combat behind enemy lines many times. The development of helicopter technology modernized airborne operations and gave a possibility to combine it with air assult capabilities. Today’s operations require rapid deployment of forces to stop the escalation of any conflict and handle the situation, finally to restore peace, normalize the situation and life conditions. To fulfil such requirements paratrooper units are one of the most appropriate ones. Thank to their high readiness, medical and mental conditions, moral and fighting spirit, airborne or air-transportable weaponry and equipment they can operate successfully in an extreme, unknown environment till the arrival of the main stabilisation forces.

81-96

Authors: Marzena Araźna

The scale of incidents related to Arab Awaking and the consequences of movement in MENA region surprised the European Union and international community. However, the report of the Arab Human Development Report predicted in 2009  that the Arab world will face security challenges associated with growing population, which can lead to internal tensions between different communities. The Arab Spring has contributed to the creation of new political, economic and social realities which forced EU to take necessary action to adapt to this situation. Significant efforts were taken according to financial support which was delivered in increased budgets of European Neighborhood Policy projects, The European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Due to the fact of immigration from region increases anxiety on the South of EU. In order to prevent illegal border crossing EU established Joint Operation Hermes 2011  to resolve problem. However the Tunisami consequences are still considered as a threat to European Union security.

113-114

Authors: Piotr Gawliczek

The main goal of the workshop was to share experiences in the context of the best practices issues. On the first day (Tuesday 15 April), the first activity of the programme was the office call with the Rector of the GNDA. During the first session of the workshop, the NATO Team was delivered presentations on the chosen aspects of the higher military education system of Georgia and also the GNDA (i.e. the vision, mission, tasks, and management issues). The team was also briefed on the key programmes related to the education and training of the Georgian Armed Forces. After that, there was a trip to visit the educational and training facilities/installations of the GNDA.

7-23

Authors: Lubomir Zinyak

The article deals with the complex investigation of the content of the draft Association Agreement with the European Union in the context of military collaboration proceeding from the theory of International Law. Special attention is focused on the issues regarding its influence on the military aspects of the state sovereignty of Ukraine. Four main questions are investigated: Does Ukraine have the obligations of an EU member state in the military sphere under the Agreement? What is the nature of Ukraine’s obligations in the military sphere under the Agreement? Does Ukraine have any legal guarantees that protect its own strategic interests in the military sphere in coordinating its defence policy with that of the EU? Are the sovereign rights of Ukraine in the military sphere taken into account in the institutional framework of cooperation under the Association Agreement? The author comes to the conclusion that the deepening cooperation with the EU under this international agreement does not lead to a limitation of the state sovereignty of Ukraine in the military sphere.

45-58

Authors: Irmina Denysiuk, Marta Osypowicz

This paper includes discussions about the issue of evaluating CROs. They are an expression of the theoretical exploration of factors and criteria which may have a significant impact on such an evaluation. It should be noted that evaluation of CROs is an important and complex problem, because today, in the real environment dominated by conflicts and crises, there is a real need to involve some of the resources of third party countries to resolve tensions in unstable areas. The need for a response from multinational forces (national, alliance) is dictated by the dynamics of the changes taking place in the security sphere, the multi-dimensionality of crises and conflicts, and their unpredictability (Iraq, Afghanistan). Today it is emphasised that such a commitment will form the basis of future international relations.

79-89

Authors: Piotr Gawliczek

The paper deals with issues related to security and defence as seen from the perspective of the role played by military education. The essence of the new security environment realm and new threats for security are described. The importance of military educational institutions is underlined. In this context, observations and reflections on education and training based on NDU Warsaw’s experiences are offered. There are four leading issues mentioned. The first one is the approach to military education, the second one is the curricula, the third one is research and the lessons learned, and the fourth one is to share the experiences of an activity aimed at forging strategic trust. Finally, the author puts forward suggestions on how to strengthen educational cooperation in the Europe and Asia-Pacific region.

111-115

Authors: Piotr Gawliczek

“The International Symposium Course 2013” was held from 14 October to 29 October 2013 at the College of Defence Studies (CDS), the National Defence University (NDU), of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) in Beijing.

155-172

Authors: Zbigniew Grzywna

The Critical Management Act creates a legal basis for dealing with critical infrastructure. It contains the following definition: critical infrastructure includes systems and functional objects which are connected with each other, including: buildings, devices, systems, key services for a country and its citizens’ security and other systems and objects which deal with ensuring efficient functioning of public administration bodies as well as institutions and enterprises. At national level, the protection of critical infrastructure is coordinated by the Government Centre for Security. In accordance with the critical management act, which is in effect at present, the legislator defines that critical infrastructure is created by systems and consists of functional objects connected with each other: buildings, devices, systems, key services for a country’s security and its citizens’ security and other objects and services which deal with ensuring efficient functioning of public administration bodies as well as institutions and enterprises The article contains an enumeration of the systems which are included in critical infrastructure.