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41. Concerns on the issue of defence expenditure in the post-crisis Greece

Author:
Odysseus Katsaitis, Konstantine Kondylis, and George Andrew Zombanakis
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
The paper aims to tackle a controversial issue, namely the anticipated developments regarding defence expenditure once the Greek economy returns to growth. Such a comeback is expected to occur following a prolonged recessionary period during which defence spending cuts were a top priority, as recommended by the IMF, the ECB and the EC, members of the so-called “Troika”. The paper uses both conventional econometrics as well as neural networks to consider and evaluate the hierarchy’s ordering of the determinants used in such a demand for defence expenditure based on their explanatory power. While the role of property resources is certainly pronounced, as expected, human resources variables also seem to be able to explain defence spending developments, especially in the recent past. A forecasting investigation based on this background points to a number of interesting conclusions on the anticipated developments concerning defence spending in the future as well as on the determinants of such developments which might represent a threat to NATO cohesion.
Topic:
Security, Crisis Management, Economic Security, Arms Race, Defense Spending, and Military
Political Geography:
Europe and Greece

42. Effectiveness of training: The conceptual framework and methodological strategy of a longitudinal study in the Portuguese armed forces

Author:
Nuno Alberto Rodrigues Santos Loureiro and Mariana Gaio Alves
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
Considering that this research is still ongoing, this paper focuses on the presentation of the conceptual framework and its interconnection with the methodological strategy for the empirical study that aims to study the learning transfer to the workplace of professional military education in the context of the Portuguese Armed Forces. Factors related to the trainees’ individual characteristics, the organisational context, the courses design, the organisational learning culture, the organisational commitment and the expectations of career development, as well as the relationships established between these factors and the intention to transfer, throughout the lifelong learning process, will be discussed. The empirical study will be carried out at three junctures - before the training, at the end of the training and three to six months after the training. The study is conceptually based on Holton’s Holistic HRD Research and Evaluation (1996), Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour (1991), Watkins and Marsick’s model of learning organisations (1993, 1996) and Meyer and Allen’s (1991) concept of organisational commitment. The study will be developed using a mixed strategy (quantitative/qualitative), applying a hypothetical-deductive and inductive reasoning, in which a longitudinal research design with a transversal component will be followed. The data collection for the empirical study will be done through a questionnaire, individual semi-structured interviews and discussion groups about the results.
Topic:
Armed Forces, Training, Military, and Adult Education
Political Geography:
Europe and Portugal

43. Illegal immigration as a threat to the safety of the Republic of Poland

Author:
Andrzej Soboń and Marzena Piertuniak
Publication Date:
03-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
Uncontrolled migration is one of the threats to the state, and as illegal immigration, it is a leading threat to international security. From the point of view of state security, illegal immigration is classified as “requiring caution.” In the case of Poland, illegal immigration is to a considerable extent handled by organised crime of transnational reach, effectively taking the form of criminal enterprises. In the present day, differentiating between migration and exile is intricate, because the reasons behind migration are unclear and depend on numerous factors, also related to migration policies in target countries. However, for criminal enterprises, which stop at nothing to maximise their business profits, both refugees seeking refuge and migrants seeking to improve their socio-economic situation are a source of substantial financial gain. Criminal organisations generate profit by committing various crimes. This article also looks at international and national institutions combating illegal migration as a threat to the security of the Republic of Poland and Europe.
Topic:
Borders, Human Trafficking, Public Safety, Illegal Immigration, and FRONTEX
Political Geography:
Europe, Eastern Europe, and Poland

44. Preparation of Polish police officers for peace missions

Author:
Kamil Kuć and Walentyna Trzcińska
Publication Date:
03-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
Conflicts in the 21st century have forced qualitative changes in the way of training missionary personnel. Police forces are currently used in various joint operations, which include, among others, elements of the fight against terrorism, ensuring the security of civilians and training of security forces. New types of operations require corrected preparation systems. This article analyses the previous way of preparing such units as Individual Police Officers, Specialized Police Teams, Formed Police Units, as well as the issue related to the training modification proposal, and one of them is the implementation of the virtual game “Gaming for Peace” as a supplement to the training gap through modern and more effective training.
Topic:
Security, Peacekeeping, Training, and Police
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland

45. Polish-Ukrainian military units in the years 1991-2018

Author:
Marek Żyła
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
The history and traditions of Polish-Ukrainian military contacts are as rich as the relations between the two nations. Intensive military cooperation dates back to the mid-16th century and is connected with the pursuit of the military capabilities of the Cossacks. The next chapter of Polish-Ukrainian military cooperation started just after the end of the First World War. The state authorities, analysing the political and military situation, noticed the importance of Ukraine for the future balance of power in Europe and its impact on Poland’s security in the east. The leader of the Ukrainian National Republic (UNR), ataman Symon Petlura, had a similar approach. The need for joint action in the face of growing threat led both parties to intensify negotiations and to sign a political and military agreement. The findings made on 14 January 1992 during the visit of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Colonel Konstantin Morozov, to Poland should be regarded as the beginning of contemporary military contacts with Ukraine. In formal terms, the legal basis for cooperation was the agreement on this matter, signed on 3 February 1993 in Kiev. In its framework, both parties agreed to develop, inter alia, training and training-operational cooperation. It was intended to be implemented through contacts between units stationed in the border regions, transferring the main effort to the lower levels of command.
Topic:
Bilateral Relations, Peacekeeping, Cooperation, Military, and Stabilization
Political Geography:
Europe, Ukraine, and Poland

46. Security policy of the Baltic states and its determining factors

Author:
Sławomir Piotrowski
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
The history of the nations living in today’s Baltic States is marked by fighting against stronger neighbours: Russia, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and the German settlers in their territories. Unlike Lithuanians, Estonians and Latvians failed to create their own statehood before the 20 th century. The Lithuanians created their own state, a powerful one, which then became a part of an even wider state organism – the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. As a result, the security policy of Lithuania was identical to that of the First Republic of Poland. Although there were tribes living within the area of current Estonia and Latvia for many centuries up to the outbreak of World War I, the lands of Latvia and Estonia had been changing owners and had been under the rule of almost all neighbouring countries. As a result of the positive outcome of the First World War, but also thanks to their efforts, the Baltic States regained independence in order to lose it after only 20 years, as a consequence of another war. After restoring independence with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Baltic States realised that even acting together they were unable to defend themselves against a potential aggressor. As a result, they decided to follow in the footsteps of other countries of the former Eastern Bloc (e.g. Poland and Slovakia) and to integrate with Western European structures such as NATO and the EU. Following NATO inclusion, the security strategies of the Baltic States have been revised in line with the changes in their surrounding geopolitical environment.
Topic:
Security, History, Regional Politics, and Regional Security
Political Geography:
Europe and Baltic States

47. The Balkans and non-military security threats – quality comparative analyses of resilience capabilities regarding hybrid threats

Author:
Miroslav Mitrovic
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
The contemporary security environment indicates non-conventional, asymmetric and hybrid security threats as potentially the most accurate threats to global and regional security. Conflict risks in the regional frame strongly depend on strategically aimed non-military, but hybrid acts. The great powers mostly attempt to achieve their own interests’ goals in fulfi llment of self-orientated strategic dominance. The Balkan region is a crossroads of strongly exposed interest spheres of regional as well as global powers. The article aims to determine areas of infl uence in the Balkan States that could become targets of predominantly non-military but hybrid infl uences. Multi-Value Quality Comparative Analyses (mvQCA) of state power, stability and resilience capacities were used in the research. The methodology used was based on the approach with multi-valued sets of variables and conditions. A theoretical framework was based on contemporary theories of state power and hybrid warfare concept. Used databases were brought together from generated open source databases of approved international academic or think-tank organisations. Based on a hypothesis regarding hybrid security threats, a theoretical framework of understanding of power and analysing a wide spectra of databases, the article aims to contribute a rational and objective understanding of two main indicators: the potential to become a target and the resilience capacities of countries in the face of hybrid security threats. Its findings indicate that most countries in the Balkan region are potentially under unarmed influences and have very low resilience capabilities against possible hybrid infl uences. The conclusions reached help to clarify that the Balkan States are vulnerable to hybrid security threats.
Topic:
Security, Conflict, Resilience, and Non-Traditional Threats
Political Geography:
Europe and Balkans

48. Types of Security Education in Poland. Selected examples

Author:
Marlena Zadorożna
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
The purpose of the article is to examine selected examples of types of security education in Poland. At the beginning of the 20th century, national security was centered on military and political aspects, but recent decades have seen the successive shifting of the focus from the military-political plane of security to other areas. It seems that educational concepts adapt to emerging challenges. This thesis is confi rmed by the concept of global education, the idea of military classes, as well as the military training of pro-defensive organisations within the framework of the Passport Program. All of these educational concepts were covered in the study. One of the most important conclusions of the article will be to emphasise the correlation between the evolution of the understanding of security, the transformation of threats and changes in the field of educational concepts.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Education, Training, and Military
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland

49. National defence training of public administration personnel in Poland

Author:
Bogdan Grenda and Andrzej Soboń
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
National defence training of public administration personnel can be broadly defined as a set of activities undertaken at all levels of public administration, aimed at preparing staff to perform official duties concerned with state defence. This paper opens with the presentation of essential areas of national defence training. The subsequent section provides an overview of implementations of national defence training at various levels of public administration and at Higher Universities. The final part of this analysis describes the assumptions of a new didactic framework of courses in defence for public administration and national authorities at the Faculty of National Security of War Studies University in Warsaw.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Training, Personnel, and Administration
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland

50. Military education for students within the framework of the Academic Legion: A pilot project

Author:
Przemysław Wywiał
Publication Date:
12-2018
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
The paper presents assumptions about the new model of military training for students within the framework of the Academic Legion. It also discusses the traditions of military training of students and graduates in the Second Polish Republic and following the transformations of 1989, with special focus on the tradition of the Academic Legion. Furthermore, it examines assumptions about the pilot project of military training of students that was implemented in the academic year 2017/2018 and highlights the training curriculum for the theory course and for the practical military drills during holidays.
Topic:
Education, Armed Forces, Training, Students, and Military
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland