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341. Combating destabilising forces in modern operations. Research report

Author:
Wojciech Robert Więcek
Publication Date:
09-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
Undertaking to determine scientifically substantiated conditions for the functioning of destabilising forces and methods for countering them in contemporary operations fits in the broad scope of security. This paper reports the results of the study that employed survey methodology to investigate the matter of destabilising forces in order to provide the contribution to the current body of literature in the field. Recently published scientific and non-scientific studies in Polish and English on destabilising forces, despite the semantic differences, refer to a large extent to the problem of acting and combating such groups. The paper puts forward a series of conclusions and proposals with the intention of inspiring the critical evaluation and to encourage substantive polemics in the pages of specialist scientific periodicals. This material may serve as the basis for further detailed research into destabilising forces – the subject that is not only a pressing current issue, but above all a prospective area for research as part of the security sciences.
Topic:
Security, Science and Technology, Research, Destabilization, and Military
Political Geography:
Global Focus

342. Military higher education teaching and learning methodologies: An approach to the introduction of technologies in the classroom

Author:
Lúcio Agostinho Barreiros dos Santos, Nuno Alberto Rodrigues Santos Loureiro, Joaquim Manuel Martins do Vale Lima, José Augusto de Sousa Silveira, and Rui José da Silva Grilo
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
The study focuses on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Military Higher Education, delimited to the present moment and to the current professors and students of the Military University Institute. This study aims to analyse the relationship between ICT and teaching and learning methodologies in the context of professional military education, with emphasis on the concept of innovation in the classroom, on teaching and learning styles and on the role of ICTs in learning. The study is based on a mixed research strategy combining deductive and inductive approaches, materialized in a case study, with data collected through questionnaires, interviews and documentary analysis. This article focuses on the conceptual framework and its interconnection with the methodological strategy for the empirical study. The results presented refer to the pilot validation test of the data collection instruments and indicate that, in general, students and teachers share the same teaching-learning styles and both students and teachers show a good propensity to use ICT in the classroom.
Topic:
Education, Science and Technology, Communications, Teaching, and Military
Political Geography:
Global Focus

343. Influence of global security environment on collective security and defence science

Author:
Miroslav Mitrovic
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
Globalisation is a phenomenon which influences every aspect of contemporary life. Neo- liberal ideas lead to the multifunctional interdependence of geopolitics, the political economy, international relations, security, and defence issues. In the globalised world, many issues can be raised: Where are the roots of modern conflict? Who are the stakeholders in international relations? What are the dominant forms of contemporary conflicts? Do the forms of collective security fulfill the legitimacy of objectivity? What are the new challenges for modern defence science? Through the multidisciplinary approach, based on academic literature, as well scholars research papers, this work aims to contribute to the clarifying a rational approach to modern defence science in the contemporary, global security environment.
Topic:
International Relations, Defense Policy, Globalization, Science and Technology, War, and Global Security
Political Geography:
Global Focus

344. “Autonomisation” of security and defence systems

Author:
Artur Kuptel
Publication Date:
03-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Security and Defence Quarterly
Institution:
War Studies University
Abstract:
Development of systems with an evolving level of autonomy is among the most controversial and yet promising aspects of military forces’ modernisation. The application of quasi- artificial intelligence in combat machines opens a new uncharted area of possibilities. In essence, these modifications aim to reduce the extent of human interference in the functioning of unmanned systems virtually to none. The potential risks are explored in dangerous scenarios, which consider that apart from offering far-reaching advantages of using platforms with autonomic capabilities, they can be used against humanity. These scenarios assume a pivotal role in forecasting possible directions for development of the armed forces. This paper attempts to determine the essence of combat systems autonomy while focusing on a few of the most sensitive issues. For a transparent and credible debate on combat systems autonomy, it is adviseable that no ambiguity is present in terminological, ethical, legal and technological complexities, whose misinterpretation may become a source of unnecessary understatements or even lead to distortion of the debate.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, Science and Technology, Armed Forces, Artificial Intelligence, and Autonomy
Political Geography:
Global Focus

345. Artificial Intelligence on the Battlefield: Implications for Deterrence and Surprise

Author:
Zachary Davis
Publication Date:
10-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
PRISM
Institution:
Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), National Defense University
Abstract:
Predicting the future of technology is a risky business. We know with certainty that AI is being incorporated into an array of military missions with the intent of improving our knowledge of the operational environment, adversary capabilities, and the speed and precision of offensive and defensive weapons. We can usefully speculate about how these developments are poised to change the face of modern warfare and how those changes might affect regional and strategic deterrence stability, based on our understanding of established political and military realities. More elusive, however, is a clear picture of how AI might converge with other technologies to produce unexpected outcomes, or “unknown unknowns.” Nevertheless, there are a few possibilities that could have major strategic consequences and alter the underlying realities on which regional and strategic stability are founded.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Military Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, and Strategic Stability
Political Geography:
Global Focus

346. Climate Crisis: ‘Listening to the Science’ Not Enough

Author:
Sofiah Jamil
Publication Date:
11-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Abstract:
Greta Thunberg has called on politicians to “listen to the science” and take climate change seriously. But climate communication strategies can be more effective when “listening to the science” is complemented with “listening to society”.
Topic:
Climate Change, Science and Technology, Conflict, and Society
Political Geography:
Global Focus

347. Climate Change: Re-assessing Current Approaches

Author:
Margareth Sembiring
Publication Date:
12-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Abstract:
Proposed solutions to climate change are heavily reliant on technological advances. Considering the initial causes of current warming trends that can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution, a shift in consumerism may provide better solutions to climate woes.
Topic:
Climate Change, Science and Technology, and Renewable Energy
Political Geography:
Global Focus

348. Humanitarian Technology: Taking the ‘Human’ out of Humanitarianism?

Author:
Christopher Chen
Publication Date:
08-2019
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Abstract:
There has been a rapid turn towards the use of both physical and digital technologies in the humanitarian sector. New forms of humanitarian technology (HUMTECH) encompass both hardware – drones, modular shelters, robots and software, such as data collection systems, biometric identification programs, block chain components. Unfettered and uncritical interactions with technology could bring about certain risks.
Topic:
Science and Technology, NGOs, Innovation, and Digital Culture
Political Geography:
Global Focus

349. Manufacturers and Security Providers: A Conceptual Essay

Author:
Silviu Petre and Ella Ciuperca
Publication Date:
08-2019
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 aims to contribute to the theoretical clarification of certain widely used terms in scholarly literature as well as in public statements made by policymakers, pundits, media people but insufficiently exaplained, namely security producers and security consumers. Although frequently present, neither political science nor international relations literature have grappled with them, therefore rendering scholars incapable to grasp the complexity of inter-state position.
Topic:
Security, Science and Technology, Manufacturing, and Industry
Political Geography:
Global Focus

350. Computational International Relations What Can Programming, Coding and Internet Research Do for the Discipline?

Author:
H. Akin Unver
Publication Date:
07-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
All Azimuth: A Journal of Foreign Policy and Peace
Institution:
Center for Foreign Policy and Peace Research
Abstract:
Computational Social Science emerged as a highly technical and popular discipline in the last few years, owing to the substantial advances in communication technology and daily production of vast quantities of personal data. As per capita data production significantly increased in the last decade, both in terms of its size (bytes) as well as its detail (heartrate monitors, internet-connected appliances, smartphones), social scientists’ ability to extract meaningful social, political and demographic information from digital data also increased. A vast methodological gap exists in ‘computational international relations’, which refers to the use of one or a combination of tools such as data mining, natural language processing, automated text analysis, web scraping, geospatial analysis and machine learning to provide larger and better organized data to test more advanced theories of IR. After providing an overview of the potentials of computational IR and how an IR scholar can establish technical proficiency in computer science (such as starting with Python, R, QGis, ArcGis or Github), this paper will focus on some of the author’s works in providing an idea for IR students on how to think about computational IR. The paper argues that computational methods transcend the methodological schism between qualitative and quantitative approaches and form a solid foundation in building truly multi-method research design.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Internet, Research, Digital Culture, Methods, and Computer Science
Political Geography:
Global Focus