MULTIDISCIPLINARY ANALYSIS OF UNCONVENTIONAL METHODS OF SPECIAL FORCES AND THEIR IMPACT ON NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

A lot of scientific papers are devoted to the issue of international security. At the same time, there are almost no works devoted precisely to the tools of the methodology of studying the concept of international security at the present stage of evolution in the scientific discussions, that greatly reduces the effectiveness of the research process. The subject matter of the article is selection of the main theoretical approaches to the study of the evolution of the concept of ‘international security’. The goal is to analyze the latest approaches to the evolution of the concept of ‘international security’ and the methodology of its study in the modern international political science. The objective is to study the main stages of the evolution of the flagship theoretical approaches to the definition of international security and the methodology of its study. Common scientific methods are used: the historical approach – in identifying the main stages of the development of the concept of ‘international security’ in the political science, generalization and retrospective analysis – in the study of the methodology of this concept in modern political science. The following results are obtained: general methodological approaches to the definition and study of international security are summarized, the main principles of its system formation, models and mechanisms of provision are outlined. The newest methodical approaches to the scientific analysis of this concept are analyzed. The author specifically discloses the modern threats that have arisen in the conditions of security at global and regional levels and that are caused by the planetary problems of the international political process, such as globalization processes, global humanity problems, transnational terrorism, etc. Conclusions: there is a large number of new theoretical trends that enter into controversy with the classical ones concerning the possibilities and methodology of knowledge of contemporary challenges of international security in modern political science of international relations. At the same time, the analyzed approaches determine the current understanding, the content and essence of international security in all its manifestations from the formation of the national interests of individual states in this area to the practical mechanisms of the functioning of the global system of international security. The effective functioning of the collective security mechanism is an integral part of international security. This problem is extremely relevant and can become the subject of separate expert discussions and studies in the field of international relations.

[full article and abstract in Lithuanian; abstract in English]
 This article examines the concept of environmental security and assesses its role in international, regional and national security studies. The study is aimed at providing conceptual „mental map“ of this field, thereby giving analytical background and gui­dance for comprehensive environmental security studies, which are known for the diversity of conceptual approaches, methods and levels of analysis.The fundamental question of environmental security – how various environmen­tal factors (climate, resources, etc.) and processes can affect the security of states and societies. It examines the relationships between different environmental issues, their effects and various security problems. Environment is considered as integrated part of a security concept together with the dimensions of economic, social, energy or information security. In order to identify the main academic schools of the environmental security, this article uses four key questions, theoretically defining the core of environmental secu­rity concept: (i) what makes an impact (source of threat); (ii) to whom/what an impact is made („victim”); (iii) what kind of impact is made (threat); (iv) how an impact is made (mechanisms and “channels”). On the basis of these theoretical dimensions, five main academic schools of environmental security are identified and examined by focusing on their features and findings, methodology and critical assessment:1. Resource scarcity school examines the nexus between scarcity of renewable resources (e.g. freshwater) and various internal and international conflicts (their incidence, intensity and dynamics).2. Resource abundance school explores the relations between non-renewa­ble resources (e.g. diamonds, oil, etc.) and internal conflicts, especially civil wars.3. Climate change school focuses on nature (and human) induced environ­mental change and its implications for international security, socioeconomic development and social disruptions in various regions.4. Human security school focuses on environmental impacts on individual and “people-centered” security, which is closely related with sustainable develo­pment (food security, health and education, welfare, gender issues, etc.).5. Natural disasters school examines the socioeconomic impacts of various disasters (earthquakes, floods, etc.) with specific focus on the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of various social systems (states, communities, etc.).Analysis shows that environmental dimension becomes increasingly impor­tant element of international relations and security studies. Comprehensive security assessment, especially in developing countries, is not possible without taking into account the social and economic impacts made by resources, climate change and natural disasters.Research by 1 and 2 schools, despite various methodological problems, demons­trates the impact resources have to various internal conflicts and social disorder. Scar­city of renewable resources generates certain social effects (for example, decreased productivity of agriculture, migration, weakening of state institutions etc.), which, in turn, can fuel different types of conflicts (ethnic conflicts, coup d’état, poverty conflicts, etc.). Abundance of non-renewable resources can have various direct (for example, direct financial source for rebel groups), as well as indirect (affecting eco­nomy, political regime, separatism, etc.) impact to conflicts.Specific conditions in the developing countries play a significant role in terms of explaining the nexus between resources and security. Developing countries are often dependent on climate-sensitive agriculture and suffer from poverty. As a re­sult, various climate change effects (3 school) often amplify mechanisms, which lead to insecurity and violence, such as political instability, weak governance structures, poor economic performance, etc. This is especially relevant for those regions where several “conflict constellations” (water and food shortage, regular natural disasters, rapid demographic change, etc.) are overlapping. Environmental change also has a certain impact to international security in terms of possible increase in the number of weak and fragile states, risks for global economic development, intensification of migration, territorial disputes, etc.Generally, environmental security research (apart from the 1 and 2 schools) is based on a broad approach to security, which is not limited to military conflicts and include various elements of sustainable development and economic welfare. On the one hand, it is understandable, as interdisciplinary character of environmental securi­ty requires complex approach to security.On the other hand, research based on the concept of human security (4 school) often equates security with economic and social well-being, thus blurring the line between security and development studies. It also undermines the assessment of the impact environmental issues can have to traditional security problems (conflicts, regi­me change, political instability, etc.). Finally, securization of various social problems (AIDS, migration, poverty, gender inequality, etc.) might be used for political purpo­ses by legitimizing the use of military force or restricting human rights.Various natural disasters (5 school) have a substantial destructive power, which not only causes substantial damage (humanitarian crises, destroyed infrastructure, etc.), but also has complex socioeconomic and political effects, which affect politi­cal regimes, critical economic sectors, social stability, etc. From this perspective, a key role is played by physical and socioeconomic characteristics of vulnerability and adaptive capacity, which can absorb negative effects of natural disasters and mitigate the risk.

Received 23.03.2020. Security studies are going through a new stage of development. The 20th century was marked by scientific discussions about globalization itself and its possible impact on international security, the need to adjust concepts and methodologies. Many modern challenges are a direct consequence of increased global interdependence. At the same time, global attention is shifting towards regions, because the processes originating there can explain and determine the structure of international security. In turn, it is vital to adopt the knowledge and methodology of regional studies and political geography to avoid the “territorial trap”. In our opinion, international studies are still missing the importance of spatiality and its influence on the world political system. Regardless the importance of geographical factor and the fact that in some way it determines the vector of the world political system development, spatiality is often overlooked. “Thinking in the space” is a skill necessary for any researcher. Spatiality is not just a set of geographical characteristics, but something more integral. Therefore, to understand international security and prospects for its further development, we need a comprehensive approach taking a wide range of factors into account. Moreover, an important problem of modern international security is the lack of comprehensive security studies at the global level that take into account the factor of space and regionalization. The research identifies Regional Security Complexes using cluster analysis of k-means. A spatial autocorrelation analysis is used to justify found systems, which consider the mutual influence of countries on each other. In a nutshell, it can explain regionalization of international security and the role of spatial factor in this process, create methodological framework for further analysis of Regional Security Complexes. Acknowledgements. The article has been supported by the grant of the IIS MGIMO No. 1921-01-09 “Geopolitical Atlas of the Modern World: Cartograms Modelling, Multidimensional Scaling and Determination of Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation in World Politics”.

We use two major datasets collected by the Teaching, Research, and International Policy (TRIP) Project to map the international security subfield, examining conventional wisdom about the subfield’s gender composition, theories, methods, and policy relevance. At first glance, articles in security journals appear similar to security articles, in general, political science and international relations field journals on these variables. On closer inspection, however, we find that much of the standard thinking about international security describes only two security journals, International Security (IS) and Security Studies (SS). First, women author a small percentage of articles in these two journals, with little increase over time, whereas a growing share of articles in other top journals has a female author or coauthor. Second, more articles in IS and SS employ a realist theoretical approach, and these journals have been slower to embrace nonparadigmatic scholarship. Third, in contrast with articles published in the other journal types, only a small percentage of articles in IS and SS use quantitative methods. Finally, these journals are more policy prescriptive than journals representing other parts of the discipline. IS, in particular, publishes more articles containing explicit policy recommendations than any other journal. Our understanding of the international security subfield may reveal only part of the metaphorical elephant explored by the blind men if observers do not consider variation in security-related research across different journals and types of journals.

Introduction: Global Order, Cooperation between the Superpowers, and Alliance Politics in the Making of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime

У статті проведено аналіз існуючих підходів формування парків колісних машин сил спеціальних операцій збройних сил провідних країн та основних світових тенденцій їх розвитку. Визначені основні функціональні показники колісних машин, які впливають на повноту і якість виконання завдань підрозділами Сил спеціальних операцій Збройних Сил України. Розглянуто проблеми розробки номенклатури колісних машин для потреб Сил спеціальних операцій Збройних Сил України відповідно до специфіки покладених на них завдань. За результатами проведеного аналізу сукупності завдань, які покладаються на Сили спеціальних операцій Збройних Сил України, визначені основні дії підрозділів Сил спеціальних операцій та вимоги до функціональних показників колісних машин. Широка різноманітність варіантів застосування підрозділів Сил спеціальних операцій та вимог до колісних машин обумовлює необхідність систематизації завдань за функціональними показниками колісних машин. Кластерний аналіз значень оцінок експертів в галузі застосування підрозділів Сил спеціальних операцій Збройних Сил України дозволив визначити класи колісних машин, необхідних для вирішення повного спектру завдань Сил спеціальних операцій Збройних Сил України.

A sustainable planet Earth is the best form of national and international security for humanity. Countries engage in many activities that are necessary for national security. Education is necessary for national security. Health care is essential for national security. Agriculture and potable water are necessary for national security. Research, innovation, and industry are necessary for national security. Communications are necessary for national security. Transportation infrastructure is necessary for national security. Energy production and distribution grids are necessary for national security. Stable governance is necessary for national security. Justice and law enforcement systems are essential for nationals security. Transparent and stable financial systems are necessary for national security. Trade is part of our national security. And in our oil addicted world, oil is currently an immense part of national security. National security does not solely depend on spy agencies, police forces, weapons, and the military. Most activities in a country are part of an interconnected, complex web of activities all necessary for national security. Most countries produce immense amounts of pollution. Pollution is however counterproductive to national and international security even though many people are employed producing pollution and trying to solve pollution problems. Some may even argue that an increasing human population is part of their national security. National and international security is best achieved by decreasing the amount of pollution spewed into the biosphere and controlling human population growth. Since pollution ignores national boundaries, it eventually has polluted the entire biosphere. Both national and international security are not possible when countries cannot agree to legally binding environmental standards. However, both national and international securities are much easier to implement when humans conserve resources, decrease pollution, reduce human population growth, cooperate, end conflicts and wars, and function as an international community instead of manufacturing weapons and engaging in conflicts. If an age of enlightenment was ever needed, it is now. The current manner in which many humans and countries engage their environment and each other will never lead to national and international security. The lack of national and international security can mostly be attributed to the actions of the male gender and their primitive ways of interacting with each other. For some evolutionary reason, many of them have not evolved to the stage where they can act for the betterment of humanity. Instead they remain intent on terrorism, conflicts, and other primitive discriminating activities that violate every basic human right and all that is good and decent in the world. They are Water Air Soil Pollut (2011) 215:1–2 DOI 10.1007/s11270-010-0646-z

Purpose. Study of the impact of national identity and economic innovativeness as factors of the country’s national and international security on international economic relations; defining the main foundations of national identity, which should be taken into account when developing state policy and forming a national geostrategy, as well as clarifying the relationship between national interests and economic growth based on innovation. Methodology of research. The following methods of scientific analysis were used to implement the identified goals and tasks of the research: historical, systemic, structural-functional and value-normative. The historical method made it possible to trace the nature and peculiarities of the formation of the national idea, as well as to determine the prospects for its development in the period of global transformations. The system method made it possible to comprehensively examine the national identity, to identify its main elements and connections. The structural-functional method helped to reveal the role of the functional unity of society united by the worldview and value concepts of the national idea, as well as to characterize the importance of innovative activity and technological development of industrially developed countries. The value-normative method helped reveal the relationship between national values and their impact on economic security and the course of international economic relations. Findings. The impact of national identity and economic innovativeness on international economic relations is determined, their role in ensuring national security and the formation of state policy is established. The analysis of the impact of globalization processes on the nature and content of the country’s national interests is carried out, the role of the geopolitical factor in this context is determined, and the problem of forming a modern Ukrainian geostrategy in the context of the struggle for the realization of national interests and ensuring the country’s national security is considered. It is substantiated that in the modern world, innovations become a determining factor in the dynamic development, transformation and competitiveness of socio-economic systems in the global space. Originality. The influence of national identity and economic innovativeness as factors of the country’s economic security on international economic relations was investigated on an interdisciplinary basis at the intersection of such scientific disciplines as political science, economics, history, cultural studies and the theory of international relations; some aspects of Ukraine’s economic development strategy are defined, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, integration processes, and national collective strength for solving future post-war challenges. Practical value. Theoretical provisions, conclusions and recommendations are important for the scientific justification of the optimal mechanism for the implementation of the national economic strategy, taking into account the national identity and economic innovativeness in modern social and political conditions, as well as the possibility of applied application of these results in the educational process. Key words: national identity, innovation, innovative activity, national idea, geopolitics, economic security, economic nationalism, international economic relations.

Physicians experience scary cases in the course of usual medical practice. Cases of near misses, legal and ethical dilemmas, or unique clinical challenges are great sources of education. However, there is no format for presentation and dissemination of cases that do not meet criteria for morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences. The Scary Cases Conference is an innovative educational forum for scrutiny and analysis of these challenging clinical cases. Scary Cases differs from traditional Morbidity and Mortality conferences as it explores outcomes beyond the scope of medical or surgical errors. From 2011 to 2021: 11 regional and 10 national "Otolaryngology Scary Cases" conferences and mini-seminars were held. The cases presented were analyzed for case specialty, area of management deemed troublesome, and compared to M&M conference criteria. 187 cases were presented. 62% percent of cases included traditional medical problems, whereas 21% involved legal issues, and 17% focused on ethical dilemmas. For the cases with medical problems, 31% involved airway obstruction, 17% nerve injuries, and 17% malignancy. 49% of cases would have met criteria for presentation at traditional M&M conferences. Of all the "scary cases," 25% were near misses and 26% represented ethical or legal dilemmas which would not be classified as morbitidy, mortality, or near miss. The Scary Cases provides a forum conducive to learning amongst peers and experts. It allows medical and surgical specialties to share the cases deemed most impactful. The M&M conference would only include half of such cases, but could be expanded beyond the traditional scope in the future.

Security studies is again reflecting on its origins and debating how best to study in/security. In this article, we interrogate the contemporary evolutionary narrative about (international) security studies. We unpack the myth’s components and argue that it restricts the empirical focus of (international) security studies, limits its analytical insights, and constrains the sorts of interlocutors with whom it engages. We then argue that these limitations can at least partially be remedied by examining the performance of identities and in/securities in everyday life. In order initially to establish the important similarities between (international) security studies and the everyday, we trace elements of the evolutionary myth in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel – which both stand in for, and are, the everyday in our analysis. We then argue that the Buffyverse offers a complex understanding of (identities and) in/security as a terrain of everyday theorizing, negotiation and contestation – what we call the ‘entanglement’ of in/security discourses – that overcomes the shortcomings of (international) security studies and its myth, providing insights fruitful for the study of in/security. In conclusion, we briefly draw out the implications of our analysis for potential directions in (international) security studies scholarship and pedagogy.

The Black Sea region is increasingly becoming a priority on the international agenda. In fact, a regional approach is emerging as actors understand that common problems need to be addressed jointly. Nevertheless, cooperation efforts are hampered by a number of factors, such as uneven economic and political development within and among countries, nationalist forces, and longstanding animosities between regional players. In this context, it is imperative to foster sound policies aimed at strengthening dialogue and cooperation so as to contain and ultimately resolve conflicts with peaceful means. However, there is little policy-oriented research on the challenges and opportunities for cooperation in the Black Sea region. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of terrorism and its dangers towards the Black Sea region. The work also describes the significance of international terrorism and its general definitions. Besides, the result and findings are based on theoretical studies and assumptions and the result of the analysis of the “Case Study” of the Black Sea region. Case study examines how the Black Sea region influences the spread of terrorism and what threats it poses for this region. Furthermore, the aspects of what makes the region important on international arena are analyzed and the existent and potential security issues are examined, as well as strategic importance of the region for the EU and NATO is analyzed even from academic framework – “Securitization” theory (Buzan, Wæver, De Wilde, 1998). The theory is based on security studies conceptual background and the background spectrum includes: the Copenhagen School and Critical security studies as the type (Ondrejcsak, 2014). Moreover, the Black Sea regional security and geopolitics are to be reviewed and scrutinized in several modalities in aegis of the Securitization theory, like military and economic sectors. The hypothesis provides provision that the Black Sea regional security has already became indispensable part of the contemporary international security system and determines tendency in geostrategic balance at global level. In addition to that the Black Sea Region has to contend with numerous threats of a conventional and non-conventional kind. These hard and soft security problems make the region volatile, insecure and unstable. That is why the region is very vital for inter-governmental organizations, dealing with military security (NATO case) and local actors in case of Georgia’s national security.

Most activities that sovereign countries engage in can be considered a form of national security. These activities include agriculture, food safety and security, research, innovation, public health, education, healthcare, transportation, energy grids, communication, civil law, justice systems, military, non-corrupt financial systems, basic human rights and needs, democratic elections, honest visionary leadership and lack of conflicts, as examples. The more democratic countries present in the world, the easier it is for global international security to prevail. National and international security is extremely challenging in the face of global pollution, an overpopulated planet, conflicts, wars, discrimination, super capitalism and consumption, excess waste, dictatorships, failed states, organized crime, thugs and criminals, and in countries lacking basic infrastructure and violating human rights. Good national security equates to good international security. Democratic countries with evolving national security can share their science, technology, and knowledge, provide foreign aid, assist other countries in a time of crisis, engage in regulated and free trade, and have a better opportunity to conduct their activities in a peaceful manner, including international pollution accords with agreements that are legally binding. Of the current about 195 countries in the world, there are many that are still not democratic, are unstable states, or are completely failed states. These countries often do not have the capability to evolve a democracy and/or the dictators running them do not desire a form of democratic national security. This makes it difficult for other countries to engage in meaningful agreements to help the often oppressed citizens of those countries. The lack of national security in these countries also makes it difficult to implement much needed birth control programs and pollution control programs, both needed in our singular, common biosphere. It is the role of every democratic country to assist non-democratic countries in every way possible to evolve into democracies where the rights of the individual are placed ahead of the rights of the state. National security also includes both public and private education where scholarship, debates, innovation, and research are part of the driving force behind greener, sustainable countries and ensuring a sustainable biosphere for humanity. All citizens in all countries need to be partners in humanity. The younger generation in both democratic and nondemocratic countries should choose their idols carefully; if they want a better world, choose (and become knowledgeable about) those individuals and organizations who have devoted their lives to humanity. Think of the great visionary leaders, thinkers and philosophers, and scientists such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, Doctors without Borders, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Ghandi, Desmond Water Air Soil Pollut (2010) 213:1–2 DOI 10.1007/s11270-010-0349-5

While security is hardly discussed in philosophy (as Jonathan Herington, this volume, points out) and while theories of security are politely neglected in law (as Wouter Werner, this volume, shows), it is the preeminent concept in international relations. Courses on security studies are taught in almost all undergraduate/graduate programs in international relations around the globe. There is at least one security specialist (and often, many more) in almost all departments of political science and international studies in North America, Europe, and Asia. Security is the primary focus of no fewer than four major journals in the field – International Security , Security Dialogue , Journal of Conflict Resolution , and Security Studies – and this list is expanding, with the newly created Critical Studies on Security (2013), the European Journal of International Security (2016), and the Journal of Global Security (2016). In the top twelve journals in international relations according to the 2012 Thompson Reuters Citation Journal Report , four are security-related journals. In short, security studies is a massive field of research in international relations. In the past decades, debates surrounding security studies have evolved through several interrelated turns. Security has been structured, systemized, broadened, deepened, gendered, humanized, constructed, and privatized. Theoretical and empirical studies detailing the contours and the importance of each of these approaches to security abound in specialized journals. In this chapter, we want to celebrate this eclectic dynamism. Through our discussion, we will show that the diversification of referent objects, approaches, and research methods is a crucial vector in the development and relevance of security studies. Scholars have organized and reviewed this immense field of study in several ways. Some of the most influential reviews address how the various international relations approaches understand security (Williams 2013), how they distinguish between types of security (Collins 2013), and what are the security problematics (Baldwin 1997). Still others tackle the evolution of international security studies as a field of research (Buzan and Hansen 2009). Although the discussion we offer in this chapter will necessarily be influenced by these important contributions, we have a different set of objectives here.

Why do states want to acquire nuclear weapons? In other words, what drives nuclear-aspiring states? This is the basic question that the author seeks to address in this research. To do so, this research will focus on two standout cases: Iran and North Korea. By employing structural realism as a tool of analysis, the author argues that it is the structure of the international system that drives both Iran and North Korea to acquire nuclear weapons of their own. Specifically, it is the highly unequal distribution of power both regionally and globally that encourages both states to go nuclear. At the global level, both Iran and North Korea found themselves in hostilities with a much more powerful state, the United States. The hostilities and the fact that the United States is way more powerful increase the fear of being attacked in both countries. Similarly, at the regional level, both states face neighbors that are relatively more powerful and have alliances with the United States. Thus, this imbalance of power and the fear it created in both Iran and North Korea give them great incentive to go nuclear, as nuclear weapons would act as a deterrent against any possible aggression. This research is qualitative and based on the literature study data collection method.

The next American president's foreign policy will be conducted in the face of two main challenges. One is the legacy of George W. Bush: Iraq in particular, and a substantially weakened US strategic...