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72. Hezbollah’s Evolution: From Lebanese Militia to Regional Player
- Author:
- Nicholas Blanford
- Publication Date:
- 11-2017
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Middle East Institute (MEI)
- Abstract:
- Starting as a revolutionary Shiite militia, the Hezbollah of today dominates the political and military landscape of Lebanon, and possesses tens of thousands of trained fighters as well as an array of sophisticated armaments. Its intervention in Syria on the side of Bashar al-Assad has expanded its influence and reach in the region. As the war in Syria comes to a close, the risk of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel could increase, particularly over the future of the Golan Heights. But the mutual deterrence between the two foes remains strong for the time being. The United States is searching for strategies to limit the power of Iran’s Lebanese proxy, but given the group’s deep immersion within Lebanon’s political, economic, and social milieu, the number of realistic options for external powers to weaken Hezbollah or persuade it to forsake its armed wing are minimal.
- Topic:
- History, Armed Forces, Political stability, Ideology, and Hezbollah
- Political Geography:
- Iran, Middle East, Lebanon, Syria, and United States of America
73. Iraq’s Fifth Column: Iran’s Proxy Network
- Author:
- Nicholas Heras
- Publication Date:
- 10-2017
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Middle East Institute (MEI)
- Abstract:
- As Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (I.R.G.C.) campaigns against ISIS, the Islamic Republic is strengthening its Shiite militia proxy networks in Iraq. The I.R.G.C.’s expeditionary wing, the Quds Force, is using political connections in the Iraqi government and historical links to veteran Shiite groups to influence Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (P.M.U.s). P.M.U. groups that express support for Khomeini’s wilayat-al faqih and hold the closest ties to the Quds Force are led by commanders that worked with the Quds Force as fighters in the Islamic Resistance of the 1980s and 1990s. However, Iran’s extensive Shiite militia network does not extend to all P.M.U.s. Differences amongst P.M.U. groups will shape the future of Iraqi Shiite socio-political development as P.M.U. groups transition from active militia activity to participation in mass politics.
- Topic:
- Politics, Military Strategy, Armed Forces, and Islamic State
- Political Geography:
- Iraq, Iran, and Middle East
74. Executive Summary: The U.S. Army in the Iraq War, Vol. 1
- Author:
- Joel D. Rayburn and Frank K. Sobchak
- Publication Date:
- 01-2017
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
- Abstract:
- Originally commissioned by Chief of Staff of the Army General Raymond T. Odierno, The U.S. Army in the Iraq War is the Army’s interim examination of military operations in Iraq from 2003 to 2011. This study, published in two volumes, is a narrative history that tells the story of U.S. forces in Iraq, mainly from the perspective of the theater command in Baghdad and the operational commands immediately subordinate to it. It focuses at the operational level of war, exploring the decisions and intent of the senior three- and four-star commanders and how these decisions effected the course of the war over time. This work was built from over 30,000 pages of previously unavailable declassified documents and hundreds of hours of interviews with senior defense leaders. While the Army will eventually publish a comprehensive, official “Green Book” history that describes Operation Iraqi Freedom in greater depth, this study is being released now in order that key lessons, insights, and innovations from this period of the conflict are available to the next generation of Soldiers and leaders to study, learn from, and adapt to ensure the future readiness of our Army and the Joint Force.
- Topic:
- Armed Forces, Military Affairs, Army, and Iraq War
- Political Geography:
- Iraq, Middle East, North America, and United States of America
75. The National Guard of Ukraine: Development Options
- Author:
- Philipp H. Fluri
- Publication Date:
- 05-2017
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Razumkov Centre
- Abstract:
- У цьому дослідженні Женевського центру демократичного контролю над збройними силами (ДКЗС) розглядаються приклади сучасних структур національної гвардії та обґрун- тування доцільності їх утримання. Хоча кожен з них повинен розглядатися індивідуально, однак при цьому може бути отримано важливі уроки для країн, які стикаються з проблемою реформування своїх безпекових структур.
- Topic:
- Security, Governance, Law Enforcement, and Armed Forces
- Political Geography:
- Ukraine and Global Focus
76. Research Project on Reserve System Practices
- Author:
- Philipp H. Fluri and Valentyn Badrack
- Publication Date:
- 05-2017
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Razumkov Centre
- Abstract:
- У цьому виданні пропонується Дослідження 1, виконане Женевським центром демокра- тичного контролю над збройними силами, яке зосереджується на розгляді сучасних варіан- тів обґрунтуваннями доцільності призову. Хоча кожен з них повинен розглядатися окремо, але вони можуть запропонувати корисні уроки для країн, які стикаються зі схожими пробле- мами приймаючи системні рішення щодо реформ у галузі оборони і безпеки.
- Topic:
- Security, Defense Policy, Governance, Armed Forces, and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Ukraine and Global Focus
77. Foreign Security Policy of the Czech Republic
- Author:
- Lukáš Dyčka
- Publication Date:
- 12-2017
- Content Type:
- Book
- Institution:
- Institute of International Relations Prague
- Abstract:
- The Czech foreign security and defence policy in 2017 was influenced mainly by the Russian threat, terrorism and migration – nevertheless, Brexit and the new US administration under President Trump were also important external drivers for it. These factors resulted in various steps taken within the Czech defence sector. The policy faced changes ranging from renewals of strategic documents, an increased defence budget, the high (yet still problematic) support from the public and rising numbers of Armed Forces personnel to problems with the age structure within both the military and the civilian part of the defence sector. Finally, the foreign security policy will likely be heavily influenced by the results of the parliamentary elections in October 2017 and also by the new government of Andrej Babiš, but this is rather to be expected in 2018.
- Topic:
- Security, Foreign Policy, Defense Policy, Migration, Terrorism, and Armed Forces
- Political Geography:
- Russia, Europe, Czech Republic, and United States of America
78. Equipping and Training Modifications for Combat Arms Women
- Author:
- Ellen Haring
- Publication Date:
- 01-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Women In International Security (WIIS)
- Abstract:
- In July 2016 at Fort Benning, Georgia, US women for the first time began training to become Army infantry and armor officers. This first cohort of women has neither been issued women-specific equipment to accommodate smaller physical frames. In addition, while some equipment challenges can be addressed through modifications in training, others require equipment modifications and new procurement. To optimize women's performance in this uncharted terrain, the Army must ensure they receive appropriate training and equipment also collect, monitor, and evaluate data on the performance of all its soldiers.
- Topic:
- Gender Issues, Armed Forces, and Women
- Political Geography:
- United States
79. Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces: Selected Case Studies
- Author:
- William McDermott, Kim Piaget, Lada Sadiković, Mary McFadyen, Riina Turtio, Tamar Pataraia, Aida Alymbaeva, Bogdan Kryklyvenko, and Susan Atkins
- Publication Date:
- 01-2017
- Content Type:
- Case Study
- Institution:
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
- Abstract:
- Ombuds institutions for the armed forces are key actors in establishing good governance and implementing democratic controls of the security sector. These institutions are tasked with protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of armed forces personnel, as well as providing oversight and preventing maladministration of the armed forces. This publication highlights good practices and lessons learned in seven case studies of ombuds institutions for the armed forces from the following OSCE states: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Finland, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
- Topic:
- Security, Human Rights, Governance, and Armed Forces
- Political Geography:
- United Kingdom, Europe, Central Asia, Ukraine, Canada, Finland, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, North America, and Bosnia and Herzegovina
80. The Idolatry of Force: How Israel Embraced Targeted Killing
- Author:
- Paul Aaron Gaston
- Publication Date:
- 06-2017
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Journal of Palestine Studies
- Institution:
- Institute for Palestine Studies
- Abstract:
- Not until the Second Intifada did assassination emerge as an explicit, legally codified, and publicly announced doctrine of so-called targeted killing in Israel. This study, the first of a two-part series, explores the doctrine’s historical roots and ideological lineage and tracks its rise under the premiership of Ariel Sharon. Targeted killing became institutionalized not just to reduce direct and imminent threats against Israelis but also to mobilize electoral support, field- test weapons and tactics, and eliminate key figures in order to sow chaos and stunt the development of an effective Palestinian national movement. The study frames the analysis within a wider meditation on Israel’s idolatry of force. As much symbolic performance as military technique, targeted killing reenacts and ritualizes Palestinian humiliation and helplessness in the face of the Zionist state’s irresistible power, making this dynamic appear a fact of life, ordained and immutable.
- Topic:
- International Organization, International Affairs, Armed Forces, and Border Control
- Political Geography:
- Israel