Border Defense Research Articles

A dynamic foveated infrared imager for surveillance

The requirements of surveillance for security and safety have been extremely growing over the years. Due to the outstanding capabilities of detection in the nighttime, infrared imaging has been developed for many applications, such as border defense, industrial production, and civil safety. In recent decades, a wide field of view with high resolution has been urgently called for novel surveillance in these applications. However, existing surveillance systems cannot meet the demands because of the low resolution and bulkiness. Here we present a dynamic foveated infrared imager for surveillance to capture local high-magnification images with a large field of view. Such a system is comprised of a peripheric imaging channel for monitoring the whole large field of view and a local high-magnification imaging channel for monitoring the key and/or suspected region. Notably, simulation experimental results indicate that image height has approximately 2 × magnification in foveated regions.

The Chinese Civil War and Implications for Borderland State Consolidation in Mainland South-East Asia

AbstractFew studies on the legacies of the Chinese Civil War have examined its effects on state consolidation in the borderland area between China and mainland South-East Asia. This paper empirically examines the impact of the intrusion of the defeated Kuomingtang (KMT) into the borderland area between China, Burma and Thailand. In the People's Republic of China (PRC), the presence of the US-supported KMT across its Yunnan border increased the new communist government's threat perceptions. In response, Beijing used a carrot-and-stick approach towards consolidating its control by co-opting local elites while ruthlessly eliminating any opposition deemed to be in collusion with the KMT. In the case of Burma, the KMT presence posed a significant challenge to Burmese national territorial integrity and effectively led to the fragmentation of the Burmese Shan State. Finally, in Thailand, Bangkok collaborated with the Americans in support of the KMT to solidify its alliance relations. Later, Thailand used the KMT as a buffer force for its own border defence purposes against a perceived communist infiltration from the north. This paper contextualizes the spill-over effects of the Chinese Civil War in terms of the literature on how external threats can potentially facilitate state consolidation.

Comparing official and literary discourses оn sino-soviet border crossings of 1962

Оfficial discourse (soviet and Chinese) interpreted the reasons of ethnic groups exodusetatist – border defense, L control over population migrations, economic losses and maintenance ofbilateral relations at certain level. Q.Zhumadilov drew the line of affirmation of Kazakhs migration fromChina as salvation, but essential ethno-demographic resource for maintenance of ethnic potential ofKazakhs in soviet Kazakhstan. The official soviet discourse being diplomatic in form, especially, when itconcerned the regulating technicalities with the Chinese officials, was civic in nature. The Soviet Unioninterpreted the right to patronize the former Russian/ soviet citizens residing in China through the missionor responsibility to protect. Although the main motivation was to gain as many loyal to the sovietregime human force for realization of state building projects within the USSR. The Chinese discoursewas mainly political administrative in form, and legal in nature, as it referred to the right to supervise thepopulation of the province and prevent intervention of alien forces into it domestic sphere

A Study of the development of Natuna Regency as a key site on Indonesia’s Outer Border with particular regard to national defense and security issues in the South China Sea

This study profiles defense and security issues and relevant to the development of Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia. The area is located close to Indonesia’s maritime borders with Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia and adjacent to a major international shipping route between East Asia and the Indian Ocean. Due to its location, state management of the Regency involves the co-ordination of various components to anticipate threats, including potential military intervention by other countries and other activities such as terrorism, smuggling, illegal drug trading, illegal fishing, etc. The method of study used for this article was exploratory, using interviews, observation, and document study to produce analysis. The result of our findings is that, from a national security point-of-view, military bases in Natuna should be strengthened in acknowledgement of the strategic value of the territory with regard to the defense of Indonesian borders.

Norwegian "Digital Border Defense" and Competence for the Unforeseen: A Grounded Theory Approach.

Strategic Competence Leadership (SCL) is a tool meant to ensure that the Norwegian Armed Forces Cyber Defence (NAFCD) has the necessary expertise to cope with current and future unforeseen events. This is necessary in order to develop a better digital border defense against digital threats from different state or non-state actors. Unforeseen cyber incidents include for instance “zero-days” attacks and similar severe threats. The goal of the SCL in the NAFCD is the development of a reliable “Cyber Resilience.” In the present study, we examine how the concept of SCL is understood and carried out on the different leadership and managerial levels in the NAFCD. Our research problem was how well prepared the NAFCD is for SCL and competence development for future competence needs, especially in relation to unforeseen events? Semi-structured interviews and document analyses of governance documents were used in the present study. The Strategic Didactic Model for the Unforeseen was used to construct nine research questions that were then given to the participants. The nine questions were sorted under three categories: organizational structures, competence development and needs, and plans, handling and communication. Fourteen leaders at different levels in the NAFCD participated in the study. Our main finding was that high-level (n = 4) and low-level (n = 10) participants differed in their views on SCL. As for unforeseen events, both levels shared the opinion that the NAFCD can cope with a low level of didactical degrees of the unforeseen (the degree to which the management has the competence to facilitate for adequate exercises for the different hierarchical levels in the organization, i.e., sudden unknown cyber-attacks). However, no common understanding of the term SCL was found among the participants. Interaction was interpreted to be very important to the participants, and they used professional networks to a high degree. In addition, unofficial lines of communication were very frequently used in relation to human resource exchange and development. By creating a common understanding within the NAFCD regarding the concept of SCL, it will be possible to improve the Norwegian digital border defense against unforeseen events.

Археологические исследования на территории Хлебной площади г. Самары в 2013–2014 и 2017 гг.

The root terrace at the confluence of the Volga and Samara rivers is the most interesting in terms of studying the early history of the city of Samara. At this place in 1586, Prince Zasekin laid a Russian fortress for the defense of the South-Eastern borders of the Moscow state, and after it was destroyed by fire, in 1704–1706 in some distance, a new fortress “Earthen Castle” was built. However, until 2013 no archaeological work was carried out in the territory of the historical part of Samara. The article discusses the results of archaeological excavations in the historical part of the city of Samara conducted in 2013–2014 with the involvement of some of the available materials of the 2017 work. The wooden structures revealed as a result of excavations are correlated by the authors with the remains of the fortifications of the second fortress of Samara.

Some Remarks on the Theory and Practice in Human Security Studies

The goal of the human security studies is turn theoretical insights into practical recommendations for policy-making, i.e. to articulate theoretical considerations with practical policies. In our contribution, we will examine the relation between theoretical backgrounds and their practical consequences. Immanuel Wallerstein's concept of 'time-space' realities (a further elaboration of Braudel's concept of a hierarchy of historical times) tells us that the longer time-periods a theory takes into consideration, the larger its spatial reach, and the deeper its analytical grasp. In the case of the present 'migration crisis', we will argue that, thinking on the level of Braudel's 'temps court', i.e. within the co-ordinates of Wallerstein's 'episodic geopolitical TimeSpace', one adopts the point of view of the nation-state and, e.g. installs barbed wire fence on national borders. Reflecting on the level of Braudel's 'histoire conjoncturelle', i.e. Wallerstein's 'cyclico-ideological TimeSpace', one analyses the 'migration crisis' in terms of the conflict 'the West vs. militant Islam', or of the confrontation between 'the West' and the Russian Federation over the Near East, and starts peace talks to end the war in Syria. Taking the view of Braudel's 'longue duree', i.e. Wallerstein's structural TimeSpace, one realises that the present crisis is an episode in the dynamics of the contemporary world-system. The structural perspective shows that defence of national borders will not solve the problem, nor will the negotiation with the local ruling 'elites' and between the super-powers establish an adequate platform to approach the deepening misery and exploitation of the larger part of the world's population. The former two approaches appear as pertaining to the present world-system structure, and participate in its inherent dynamics: although potentially leading to new re-articulations, they reproduce the system and eventually deepen its contradictions. However, the structural-systemic perspective does not lead towards a univocal analysis, and even less translates into a unique political strategy.

Defensive system of ancient city Volubilis. State of research and new perspectives

This contribution presents the first results of two surveys (2014, 2016) in the vicinity of the ancient city of Volubilis, situated in the southern part of the Roman province Mauretania Tingitana. The main purpose was to assess the possibilities of non-invasive research of the forts established by the Romans as part of the defensive system of Volubilis and to investigate the character of the Roman defences on the southern border. Forts were connected with watchtowers which completed the system protecting the territory in question. Many interesting fragments of pottery have been found at those sites, which may confirm Roman presence in many, though not all points. Collected field information as well as the analysis of publications leads to the conclusion that the border defence arrangements at Volubilis might not be considered as a part of a centrally organised limes system, safe guarding the entire province, but as the defensive system of the city and its surroundings.

In the shadow of ‘frontier disloyalty’ at Russia–China–Mongolia border zones

ABSTRACTThe centre orientation and closed character of the Soviet space turned border areas into half-empty places remaining in absolute readiness for confrontation. Frontier forms of socialism were special, not only because of the extremely intense implementation of Soviet methods of modernization, but also because they achieved a particularly high level of political and social sterility of frontier populations. The contradiction between political sterility of border inhabitants and the latter’s emotional inclusion as Cossacks in border defence was dealt with through re-creation of confrontational myths whose performative power was able to combine temporal regimes and cast doubt on the loyalty of the local inhabitants. The paper analyses late Soviet discursive practices concerning the disloyalty of fictional Cossack communities in Inner Asia (Mongolia, China, and Transbaikalia) with their old-fashioned life style and strong anti-Soviet attitudes.

Creating Preemptive Suspects: National Security, Border Defense, and Immigration Policy, 1980–Present

Analysis of U.S. immigration, border defense, and national security policies and their impact on individuals, families, and communities from Mexico and Central America who have migrated or fled to the United States as refugees since the mid-1980s suggests that through immigration programs such as Prevention through Deterrence, the United States has crafted a set of policies that creates “preemptive suspects”—categories of people from Central America and Mexico that may be systematically excluded as dangerous, criminal, undeserving, and less valuable than U.S. citizens.Un análisis de las políticas de inmigración, defensa fronteriza y seguridad nacional y su impacto en individuos, familias y comunidades de México y Centroamérica que residen en los Estados Unidos como inmigrantes o refugiados desde mediados de la década de 1980 sugiere que los Estados Unidos ha creado, a través de programas migratorios como la Prevención por Disuasión, un conjunto de políticas que generan “sospechosos preventivos,” es decir, categorías de personas de América Central y México que pueden ser sistemáticamente excluidas como peligrosas, criminales, indignas y de menos valor que los ciudadanos estadunidenses.

The grounding of pedagogical conditions of development of military special competence in officers-border guards during the master training

The pedagogical conditions of the development of military-special competence of officers-border guards were discovered in the article. The topicality of the solution of problem of improvement of professional training of officers of border administration is caused by the series of factors, the one of which is a growth of the military component in professional activity of officers-border guards and also the difficult military-political situation in the East of Ukraine. The article grounds that the effectiveness of development of this competence during the master training will grow at the expanse of provision of the selection of content of the learning material in special disciplines taking into account the results of system analysis of the threats of border safety. The great importance is also inherent to the modeling and solution of practical situations of professional activity according to the problem principles. It is important for the formation and development of the officers’ abilities to making managerial decisions on organization of state border defense under special conditions and at special operations. The formation of communicative and pedagogical skills in officers on the base of andragogical model of interactive study is also the important pedagogical condition of the development of military-special competence of the officers of State border service of Ukraine. It is indicated by the results of analysis of scientific sources and the author’s experience. The solution of problem of the improvement of professional training of the officers of border administration depends on correct organization of their self-education. This process must be aimed at formation and development of the skills of work with different information sources, improvement of analytic and creative skills and increase of the level of masters’ independence

Introduction: Transnational American Studies in the "Age of Trump"

Author(s): Kim, Sabine; Robinson, Greg | Abstract: Introduction by issue editors.This issue represents our journal’s first appearance after the onset of what multiple Americanists have referred to, and not in overly positive fashion, as the “Age of Trump.” A central theme of Trump administration discourse is its strident defense of physical borders manifested in harshly exclusionary policies, most notably the administration’s abandoning of the existing DACA program, as well as fostering increased visibility of white nationalist groups and openly racist discourse. At the same time, the White House, led by the president, has distinguished itself by its nationalist attacks on international trade and multilateral diplomacy. As scholars of American Studies based outside the United States, we both feel a special responsibility to make use of our position to investigate and discuss the larger forces at play here. One thing that larger transnational approaches can help reveal is the complex interface between national identity, domestic politics, and state policy, especially in regard to international relations.

ARMY AND SOCIETY IN AFRICA: HISTORY AND MODERNITY

The subject of the study are civilmilitary relations in African countries. A view on the issues of these relations in the colonial period, in the postcolonial period, as well as at the present stage is presented, beginning with the formation of the “Force publique” until the formation of a modern army structure – the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The focus put is on armed conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the problems of army building and reformation process, participation in military actions of various social groups, including child soldiers and women. The issues of their social adaptation are reviewed. The problem of observance of human rights is analyzed. Facts from documents of non-governmental organizations on violations of human rights among servicemen are cited – the use of torture and sexual violence against civilians, which, as a result, provokes a mass exodus of people from conflict areas. Among the main violators of human rights are representatives of law enforcement forces and, first of all, regular army servicemen, including high-ranking officers. The impunity of crimes gives fertile ground for the emergence of new flash points of conflict, which entail humanitarian catastrophes and victims. It is reported that one of the key reasons for the critical situation in the legal sphere is the involvement of the military in the illegal exploitation of natural resources. The methods of empirical political science made it possible to identify the reasons for the collision between the army and society, to determine the scopes of their further interaction within the framework of the contradictory political process in the DRC. The author concludes that the interaction of the army and society is an unreliable model and is largely conditioned by the military-political situation in the country. Most African countries are classified as so-called “failed states” – failed countries, where from the moment of independence until now, armed conflicts that hinder the development of democratic foundations do not stop. As a rule, in most African countries the national army, if it exists, is unable to independently perform the functions assigned to it, first of all, the reliable defense of state borders. In the situation of incessant local conflict, we often have to speak more about the collisions of the army and the civil society, rather than about their interaction.

BLACK SEA REGION AND RIGHT FLANK OF THE CAUCASUS LINE WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND POLITICAL ACTIVITY OF E.A. GOLOVIN IN THE CAUCASUS (1838-1842)

In the article an attempt is made to characterise the military, administrative and political activity of General E.A. Golovin in the Black Sea Region and at the Right Flank of the Caucasus Line during the period of his administration of the region in 1838–1842. In the North-Western Caucasus E.A. Golovin had to solve several important issues one of which was fight against mountain dwellers’ raids against the Black Sea Border Line and Caucasus Line.The Black Sea Cossack Host was strengthened. They defeated the Circassians’ attacks more successfully, which is confirmed with the battle on January 23, 1842. On that day the Black Sea Cossacks under the command of lieutenant colonel Yaroshenko battered the group of mountain dwellers consisting of several thousands of people which was trying to attack the Vasyurinskiy Kuren Settlement. In the years of his administration of the Caucasus E.A. Golovin paid a lot of attention to improving the defensive capacity of villages of the Black Sea and Caucasus Line Cossack Hosts and provided for the Cossacks’ wealth. At the same time he had to coordinate the offensive actions from Kuban which the general did not support. However, within the framework of the existing bureaucratic system of military administration all he could do was play at the established rules and obey the ambitious borders chiefs. Peaceful initiatives had few chances under such circumstances. The author comes to the conclusion that E.A. Golovin assisted improvement of defence of the Russian borders, supported the flexible approach to solution of the Circassian issue, but peaceful initiatives had few chances owing to the existing military bureaucratic institutions and political framework.

Narrating the national border: Cambodian state rhetoric vs popular discourse on the Preah Vihear conflict

Existing studies of the Thai–Cambodian conflict over the Khmer temple of Preah Vihear tend to focus on the historical and legal dimensions of the contested claims and on Thailand's role. This article examines the conflict from within Cambodia, through the rhetoric of the Cambodian state elites and the views of residents of Preah Vihear province. The state has endeavoured to create and propogate a view that development projects in this province are an expression of Khmer pride as well as important for nation-building and border defence. Residents of the border region, however, view such nationalist discourse through their everyday experiences, giving local meaning to terms such as development, nation and heritage.

SETTLING OF ARMAVIR (TO THE PROBLEM OF STUDY OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC HISTORY OF KUBAN REGION IN XIX CENTURY)

The starting point of the history of the city of Armavir is considered the beginning of the so-called resettlement of Armenians from the mountain villages to the left Bank of the Kuban due to the threat of losing national identity and religion. In 1839 the settlement cherkesogai moved closer to the mouth of the river Urup, and this year is considered the official date of the appearance of Armavir, the original name of Armenian aul. In 1837, under the leadership of major-General Baron G.F. von Zass on the left Bank of the Kuban, against the village Prochnookopskaya, there was a small village of mountain of the Armenians. In the early years in the village settled 120 families, and by 1840 the number had increased to four hundred. In addition to the mountain of Armenians in the village lived a few hundred serfs highlanders. The position of Armavir was more beneficial, both economically and in trade terms. The village has become one of the important outposts of Russian influence in the North-Western Caucasus, its people, Cherkes-Gai become faithful and steady subjects of his new Fatherland – Russia, taking an active part in the defense of the southern borders of the Empire. From the first day of the existence of Armavir had been an integral part of Russia, and its history is forever tied to the fate of the entire state.

Obrana hranic proti infitraci a guerillovým útokům Případová studie Severního pohraničního bezpečnostního projektu Saudské Arábie

The text deals with the use of border defense as a means of protection against guerrilla attacks and infiltration, through a combination of principles of modern stationary fortifications and forward area defense. These are discussed on the case study of the Northern Border Security Project of Saudi Arabia. The role of attacker takes quasi-state formation the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL). The aim is to analyze whether the project would endure distinctive types of asymmetric attacks. Vulnerability prioritization for each component determines the most likely targets and their characteristics. This is a subjective semi quantitative method known as CARVER matrix. Subsequently, based on established premises, the text discusses three selected scenarios that use guerrilla tactics with elements of terrorism against selected targets. Attack scenarios show some of the possible ways of improvement for the project. In conclusion, the author makes recommendations for possible adjustments and assess the potential of using the project as a protection against asymmetric attacks. After reading the text, the reader is informed about the project, its components, as well as recommendations that can be applied in the further use of this type of defense.

Human Security Workers Deployed in Austere Environments: A Brief Guide to Self-Care, Sustainment, and Productivity

Since the early 1990s, the human security movement has sought to expand the concept of security beyond the traditional military defense of national borders to focus on the intra-state security needs of populations at the individual level. Specific initiatives frequently address problems of population health, ethnic conflict, religious extremism, human rights, environmental or natural disasters, and other critical issues. For expatriate human security workers in the field, the environment may present meaningful challenges to their wellbeing and productivity. This can be especially so for those who have relatively more experience in academic, business, or administrative settings, and less in the field. The authors' goal is to illuminate practices that have demonstrated their efficacy in enhancing wellness, sustainment, and productivity for human security and other humanitarian and development workers deployed to austere environments. The content represents a synoptic consensus of best general practices and guidance from a range of resources comprising United Nations agencies and activities, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGO's), private volunteer organ­izations (PVO's), national military services, and international business concerns.

Deux comtes au service de Louis le Pieux. Bégon [806–816] et Bérenger [816–835], semper fideles

This paper returns to examining the concept of fidelity, which is central to Carolingian political ideology and relationships within the aristocracy. It looks at the example of Bégon and Bérenger, two faithful followers of Louis the Pious who definitely succeeded one another as heads of the earldom of Toulouse. It is important to understand the basis of this unfailing fidelity at a time of decreasing fidelity among the powerful. Although family ties and friendship linking these two counts to Louis the Pious partially account for this, the force of the ideology of service, which grew within the entourage of the early Carolingian kings, should not be disregarded. Fidelity was also a way for them to accede to the highest level of power. Indeed, these two counts had considerable responsibility at the heart of the Regnum of Aquitaine as Counts of Toulouse, while having a primary role at court. However, their rise was not only the result of their loyalty, but also of Louis the Pious’s desire to have sufficiently powerful agents to apply his military and religious policy effectively. In this, Louis the Pious showed good, clear political sense. These two counts were particularly active agents in the monastic renewal and the defense of the southern borders of the Kingdom of Aquitaine. For his part, Bérenger contributed to upholding the authority of Louis the Pious in the Midi against the machinations of King Pépin I and Bernard de Septimanie.

Territorial Defence in the Structures of the Member States of NATO Defence Derived from the Former Warsaw Pact

The constant reduction of defence budgets combined with a significant reduction of the armed forces of the European NATO members coming from the Warsaw Pact creates the necessity to create alternative forms of border defence. The ideal solution to the problem seems to be the creation and development structures of Territorial Defence. Components of this type are characterized by a high defence potential, low maintenance costs and high level of popularity. Despite the obvious advantages, except for the Baltic States, these structures do not exist in the countries examined. Following the pattern of Scandinavian or Baltic Sea countries the analysed states should put a strong emphasis on the creation and development of this kind of component and support it by voluntary pro–defence organizations.