Global Security Challenges Research Articles

The Evolution of Potable Water Security: A Temporal Analysis of Key Indices and Trends

Water security is a critical global issue that has gained increasing attention from researchers, policymakers, and practitioners over the past few decades. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the evolution of potable water security indices from the 1980s to the 2020s, focusing on the key research themes, trends, and influential factors in the field. We conducted a comprehensive search of the relevant literature and examined the development of water security indices to provide insights into the current state of research and identify future research directions. This paper will explore the historical context, key indicators, sector-specific challenges, climate change implications, governance and policy considerations, technological advancements, community engagement efforts, and future directions for research in this critical field. Researchers and policymakers will find this review valuable as it offers insights into the existing knowledge and the areas that require further exploration to address global water security challenges.

Insect Production: A Circular Economy Strategy in Iceland

In this review, the multifaceted issue of food security is addressed, emphasizing the need for innovative and culturally appropriate solutions. Exploring insect livestock farming emerges as a potential remedy, offering a pathway to alleviate food insecurity and promote food sovereignty, particularly when integrated with social acceptability. Stakeholder engagement on both production and consumption fronts, coupled with sustained support, is vital for successful implementation. The expanding landscape of commercial insect farming in the West prompts questions about its broader scalability and equitable deployment, especially for vulnerable populations. Existing research gaps underscore the need for a coordinated effort across international, national, and legal frameworks to effectively integrate insect farming into existing agricultural systems. In this review, we have delved into the industrial-scale production processes of mealworms and black soldier flies (BSFs), known for their high protein content and organic waste conversion, covering small and industrial cultivation methods, offering insights into mealworm production life cycles, innovative rearing systems, and harvesting techniques. This review concludes with climate-specific recommendations for insect facilities, stressing the importance of sustainable practices, continuous research and development, effective market strategies and economic feasibilities in Iceland. In the context of escalating demand for sustainable protein sources, industrial-scale insect production emerges as a pivotal player in addressing global food security challenges.

Advancing irrigation management: integrating technology and sustainability to address global food security.

Irrigation management is essential for addressing global food security challenges under changing climate. This review discusses the integration of advanced irrigation technologies and their roles in enhancing water use efficiency and managing energy demands within agricultural systems. High-efficiency irrigation systems, such as drip and sprinkler systems, have significant potential to reduce water use and increase crop yields. However, their adoption varies worldwide, and the efficiency of existing irrigation practices often remains inadequate, resulting in substantial water losses due to outdated management practices. Emerging technologies and innovative irrigation strategies, including precision agriculture and advanced crop models, provide promising pathways for improving irrigation efficiency. Nonetheless, the widespread integration of these technologies is hindered by high costs, the need for technical expertise, and challenges in adapting existing agricultural systems to new methodologies. Irrigation systems can have substantial energy requirements, particularly those dependent on groundwater. The exploration of the water-environment-energy-food (WEEF) nexus illustrates the importance of a balanced approach to resource management, which is crucial for achieving sustainable agricultural outcomes. Future research should include lowering barriers to technology adoption, enhancing data utilization for precision irrigation, promoting integrated management strategies within the WEEF framework, and strengthening policy support for sustainable practices. This review proposes a multidisciplinary approach to irrigation management that includes technological innovation, strategic policy development, and global cooperation to secure sustainable agricultural practices and ensure global food supply resilience in the face of climate change.

Economic sanctions and trade dynamics: Analyzing U.S. unilateral and EU autonomous economic sanctions (1950–2019)

This study investigates the role of economic sanctions within contemporary national security strategies, focusing on their impact, motivations, and implications for sender states. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies to comprehensively analyze unilateral and autonomous economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the EC/EU between 1950 and 2019. The comparative and descriptive analysis examines 97 sanctions episodes, including 60 unilateral U.S. sanctions and an original dataset of 37 EC/EU autonomous economic sanctions episodes. The findings reveal that economic sanctions imposed by both entities generally yield positive economic outcomes for sender states. Endogenous motivations such as economic security concerns, geopolitical interests, and domestic political considerations emerge as significant drivers behind the deployment of sanctions. Economic sanctions are perceived as a strategic tool serving political objectives while enhancing economic security of sender states. Tangible benefits, including strengthened negotiating positions and domestic support, underscore the instrumental role of sanctions in advancing sender states’ interests globally. In summary, this research contributes valuable­ insights into the complex dynamics of economic sanctions and their implications for sender states. The study offers pertinent guidance for policymakers­, scholars, and practitioners navigating global security and economic governance challenges by examining economic sanctions’ motivations, impacts, and implications within contempo­rary national security strategies.

Recent advances of CRISPR-based genome editing for enhancing staple crops.

An increasing population, climate change, and diminishing natural resources present severe threats to global food security, with traditional breeding and genetic engineering methods often falling short in addressing these rapidly evolving challenges. CRISPR/Cas systems have emerged as revolutionary tools for precise genetic modifications in crops, offering significant advancements in resilience, yield, and nutritional value, particularly in staple crops like rice and maize. This review highlights the transformative potential of CRISPR/Cas technology, emphasizing recent innovations such as prime and base editing, and the development of novel CRISPR-associated proteins, which have significantly improved the specificity, efficiency, and scope of genome editing in agriculture. These advancements enable targeted genetic modifications that enhance tolerance to abiotic stresses as well as biotic stresses. Additionally, CRISPR/Cas plays a crucial role in improving crop yield and quality by enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient uptake, and resistance to lodging, while also improving taste, texture, shelf life, and nutritional content through biofortification. Despite challenges such as off-target effects, the need for more efficient delivery methods, and ethical and regulatory concerns, the review underscores the importance of CRISPR/Cas in addressing global food security and sustainability challenges. It calls for continued research and integration of CRISPR with other emerging technologies like nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and machine learning to fully realize its potential in developing resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural systems.

Millets a Pathway to Nutrition Security for Sustainable Agriculture

Millets, a group of small-seeded grasses, have been cultivated for thousands of years and are an integral part of traditional diets in many regions of the world. The nutritional value, resilience to harsh environmental conditions, and potential for sustainable agriculture, millets have been largely overlooked and underutilized in modern food systems, the nutritional benefits of millets, their role in ensuring food security, and strategies for promoting their cultivation and consumption. Millets are rich in essential nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and offer numerous health benefits, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, millets are well-suited to climate-resilient agriculture, requiring less water and fertilizer than many other cereal crops. By promoting the cultivation and consumption of millet, policymakers, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders can enhance food security, support small-scale farmers, and promote sustainable food systems and the need for increased investment in millet research, the development of value chains, and consumer education to realize the full potential of millets in addressing global food security challenges.

Molecular Marker Applications in the Selection of Elite Genotypes for Plant Stress Tolerance and Genetic Fidelity

Molecular markers play a crucial role in accelerating crop production for sustainable agriculture by identifying resistant traits and enhancing genetic diversity. In this review, we examine the impact of the molecular markers on advancing our understanding of stress tolerance mechanisms in plants, addressing the pressing imperative to bolster global food production to meet the escalating demands of the growing population. Additionally, the application of molecular markers to evaluate the genetic accuracy of plants due to genetic changes caused by somaclonal variation during <em>in vitro</em> propagation is mentioned. Specifically, we highlight emerging technologies like MAS, MARS, MABC, GWAS, GS, DH production, speed breeding, and genome editing, which offer promising opportunities to enhance stress tolerance and genetic integrity in crop cultivars, aiding in addressing global food security challenges. The literature search focused on studies published in the last ten years. We utilized a combination of specific and broad keywords such as genetic stability, <em>in vitro</em> propagation, molecular markers, abiotic-biotic stress, and plant biotechnology. In conclusion, this review analyzes the use of molecular markers in assessing the stress tolerance and genetic fidelity of <em>in vitro</em> grown plants.

SNP-based QTL mapping and identification of panicle structure-related genes in rice.

Rice is a staple crop providing a significant portion of the global food supply. It is then crucial to develop strategies for breeding high-yield cultivars to meet global food security challenges, including the UN's zero-hunger goal. In this study, QTL mapping was employed to pinpoint key genomic regions linked to traits influencing rice yield, with a focus on panicle structure-a critical determinant of grain number. Over two consecutive years, QTLs were identified using 88 JJ625LG/Namchan Recombinant Inbred Lines (JNRILs), revealing several candidate genes. Notably, Gn1a, a known regulator of grain number, was mapped within qNS1 and qNSSr1-1, while the sd1 gene, linked to plant height, was detected across multiple QTLs. Furthermore, a novel gene, OsNSMq3 (Os03g0843800), encoding a methyltransferase, was identified in various QTLs, with haplotype and sequence homology analysis suggesting its role in enhancing yield by influencing panicle structure development. The increase in primary and secondary branches, driven by these genes, leads to a higher number of spikelets per panicle, thereby boosting yield. These findings underscore the potential of candidate genes from stable QTLs as valuable tools in molecular breeding to develop high-yield rice cultivars, addressing global hunger and aiding food supply in refugee crises.

Navigating the complexities of global security: the role of the United Nations in Conflict Resolution, Safeguarding, and Humanitarian Aid

This article delves into the multifaceted role of the United Nations (UN) in navigating the complexities of global security, focusing on its contributions to conflict resolution, safeguarding human rights, and providing humanitarian aid. In an era marked by diverse and evolving threats, the UN remains a central actor in promoting international peace and stability. This article explores the mechanisms through which the UN addresses global security challenges, emphasizing its conflict resolution efforts through diplomacy, peacekeeping, and mediation. The role of the UN in safeguarding human rights is examined, highlighting its efforts to protect civilians in conflict zones and uphold international law. Additionally, the article discusses the UN's crucial role in coordinating humanitarian aid during crises, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive necessary assistance in times of need. By analysing case studies of UN interventions, the article provides insights into the successes and limitations of the UN’s strategies in these areas. The significance of this study lies in its comprehensive evaluation of the UN’s impact on global security, offering a nuanced understanding of its strengths, challenges, and areas for future improvement. Through this examination, the article underscores the importance of continued support for and reform of the UN, ensuring it remains effective in addressing the complex security threats of the 21st century. This study is essential for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners interested in international relations and global security, as it offers critical insights into the UN’s evolving role in maintaining world peace and safeguarding human rights.

Regulatory Dynamics of Plant Hormones and Transcription Factors under Salt Stress.

The negative impacts of soil salinization on ion homeostasis provide a significant global barrier to agricultural production and development. Plant physiology and biochemistry are severely affected by primary and secondary NaCl stress impacts, which damage cellular integrity, impair water uptake, and trigger physiological drought. Determining how transcriptional factors (TFs) and hormone networks are regulated in plants in response to salt stress is necessary for developing crops that tolerate salt. This study investigates the complex mechanisms of several significant TF families that influence plant responses to salt stress, involving AP2/ERF, bZIP, NAC, MYB, and WRKY. It demonstrates how these transcription factors (TFs) help plants respond to the detrimental effects of salinity by modulating gene expression through mechanisms including hormone signaling, osmotic stress pathway activation, and ion homeostasis. Additionally, it explores the hormonal imbalances triggered by salt stress, which entail complex interactions among phytohormones like jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and abscisic acid (ABA) within the hormonal regulatory networks. This review highlights the regulatory role of key transcription factors in salt-stress response, and their interaction with plant hormones is crucial for developing genome-edited crops that can enhance agricultural sustainability and address global food security challenges.

A Review on the Impact of Climate Change on Plant Pathogen Interactions

Climate change significantly affects plant-pathogen interactions, creating major challenges for global agriculture and food security. It alters pathogen distribution, biology, and life cycles, while also impacting plant physiology and defense mechanisms. Predictive models are crucial for forecasting pathogen spread under various climate scenarios, but they face limitations due to uncertainties and the complexity of biological interactions. Advances in biotechnology and genomics, including marker-assisted selection, gene editing, and the study of plant-microbe interactions, offer promising solutions for developing climate-resilient crops. Implementing sustainable agricultural practices, such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and efficient water management, is vital for enhancing resilience. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, which combine biological, cultural, and chemical methods, are essential for adaptive pest control. To support these efforts, policies and regulatory frameworks, incentive programs, and international cooperation are necessary to promote the widespread adoption of these practices. There are significant research gaps, especially in long-term monitoring and interdisciplinary studies, that are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of climate change's effects on agriculture. Addressing these challenges requires global collaborative research initiatives that facilitate the exchange of knowledge, resources, and technologies, advancing our understanding and mitigation of climate impacts on agriculture.

Precision Detection of Salt Stress in Soybean Seedlings Based on Deep Learning and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging.

Soil salinization poses a critical challenge to global food security, impacting plant growth, development, and crop yield. This study investigates the efficacy of deep learning techniques alongside chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) imaging technology for discerning varying levels of salt stress in soybean seedlings. Traditional methods for stress identification in plants are often laborious and time-intensive, prompting the exploration of more efficient approaches. A total of six classic convolutional neural network (CNN) models-AlexNet, GoogLeNet, ResNet50, ShuffleNet, SqueezeNet, and MobileNetv2-are evaluated for salt stress recognition based on three types of ChlF images. Results indicate that ResNet50 outperforms other models in classifying salt stress levels across three types of ChlF images. Furthermore, feature fusion after extracting three types of ChlF image features in the average pooling layer of ResNet50 significantly enhanced classification accuracy, achieving the highest accuracy of 98.61% in particular when fusing features from three types of ChlF images. UMAP dimensionality reduction analysis confirms the discriminative power of fused features in distinguishing salt stress levels. These findings underscore the efficacy of deep learning and ChlF imaging technologies in elucidating plant responses to salt stress, offering insights for precision agriculture and crop management. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of integrating deep learning with ChlF imaging for precise and efficient crop stress detection, offering a robust tool for advancing precision agriculture. The findings contribute to enhancing agricultural sustainability and addressing global food security challenges by enabling more effective crop stress management.

Efforts to Develop TNI Defense Equipment Technology to Support National Defense Posture

The increasing complexity of global security threats and challenges is the result of technological developments, geopolitical dynamics, changes in the strategic environment, as well as the evolution of potential enemy tactics and strategies. In the midst of this dynamic, the TNI (Indonesian National Army) is faced with increasingly complex tasks to maintain the country's security and sovereignty. The TNI must continue to innovate and develop defense equipment technology that is in line with national defense needs. This research aims to see what the ideal defense posture of the Republic of Indonesia is, the current condition of Indonesia's defense equipment technology in facing these threats, and what gaps must be filled regarding the development of defense equipment technology that is in accordance with the country's ideal defense posture. This research uses qualitative research methods with data collection in the form of literature study. The research results show that the development of defense equipment technology does not only involve the modernization of military equipment, but also collaboration with the technology industry and investment in research and development.

The Impact of Mulches and Biofertilizers on the Growth and Yield of Broccoli (Brassica Oleracea L. Var. Italica): A Comprehensive Review

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is a widely cultivated vegetable known for its nutritional benefits and economic importance. In present years there has been a growing interest in sustainable agricultural practices which enhances the productivity while minimizing the environmental impacts. Mulching and biofertilization has become a promising and an impactful agro-technique to improve the soil health, nutrient availability and water retention. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the mulches and biofertilizer on the growth and yield of broccoli. Various types of mulches including the organic (e.g. Straw, rice husk, saw dust etc.) and inorganic mulches (e.g. Plastic film) have been studied for their impact on soil temperature moderation, moisture conservation, suppression of weed and nutrient retention. Similarly, biofertilizers as Phosphorus Solubilising Bacteria, VAM, Azotobacter chroococcum, A. vinelandi, Derxia sp., B. megaterium, B. lichenformis, and Bacillus subtilis bacteria etc. have been investigated for their ability to enhance plant growth and yield. This review underscores the importance of integrated approaches that harness the synergistic benefits of mulches and biofertilizers to maximize the growth and yield of broccoli while minimizing environmental footprints in agriculture. Such strategies hold promises for advancing sustainable food production systems and meeting the challenges of global food security and climate changes.

Textural features for BLB disease damage assessment in paddy fields using drone data and machine learning: Enhancing disease detection accuracy

Detecting Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) in paddy fields is a critical challenge in Indonesia, where the disease poses a significant threat to rice production by reducing the photosynthetic ability and ultimately compromising plant productivity. This study explored the effectiveness of using drone-acquired data for textural analysis in paddy fields in West Java, with the aim of improving BLB detection by integrating textural and thermal characteristics. Utilizing advanced machine learning techniques, we combined drone data to assess different levels of damage caused by BLB. The normalized difference texture index, derived from the Haralick textural features, was employed as a key predictor. Our findings demonstrate that the inclusion of textural features markedly enhances disease detection accuracy compared with traditional methods based solely on spectral indices. Specifically, the random forest algorithm, which integrates texture and vegetation indices, achieved an impressive classification accuracy of 0.984. This innovative approach offers a robust, non-invasive solution for detecting BLB, significantly contributing to the protection of crop yields and addressing global food security challenges. This study underscores the potential of advanced remote sensing technologies and machine learning to revolutionize agricultural disease management.

Millets: Ancient Grains for Modern Nutrition - A Comprehensive Review.

Millets are a group of small, drought-resistant grains that have been grown for more than thousands of years. They are highly nutritious, rich in essential vitamins and minerals, and have gained attention in recent years due to their potential to address global food security and environmental challenges. This review article provides an overview of millets, their nutritional benefits, environmental advantages, and their role in promoting sustainable agriculture and processing of millets. The article also discusses the various types of millets, their cultivation, and their potential to improve human health and combat malnutrition.

Exploring crop genomics: role of molecular markers in identifying genetic diversity and characterization

and facilitating germplasm characterization for crop improvement. Understanding and harnessing crop genetic diversity are paramount with the escalating demand for sustainable agricultural practices and the need to address global food security challenges. Molecular markers have emerged as powerful tools enabling precise identification, characterization, and utilization of genetic resources for crop enhancement. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of various molecular marker techniques, encompassing DNA-based markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), as well as RNA-based markers like expression sequence tags (ESTs) and microRNAs. By elucidating genetic relationships, population structure, and phylogenetic analysis, these markers facilitate the conservation and utilization of crop germplasm. Moreover, the review highlights recent advancements in high-throughput genotyping technologies and bioinformatics tools, which have revolutionized crop genomic research. These advancements enable comprehensive genome-wide analyses, accelerating breeding efforts for the development of improved crop varieties with enhanced traits such as yield, quality, and stress tolerance. Integration of molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) into breeding programs further enhances the efficiency and precision of crop improvement strategies. Despite the significant contributions of molecular markers to crop genomics, challenges persist. The review addresses these challenges and discusses potential solutions, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts, data sharing, and interdisciplinary research endeavors. By overcoming these hurdles, the agricultural community can fully harness the potential of genomics for sustainable crop improvement, thus addressing global food security challenges in the face of changing environmental conditions and population growth. In conclusion, understanding the role of molecular markers in crop genomics is crucial for optimizing breeding strategies, conserving genetic resources, and developing resilient crop varieties to meet the demands of a growing population and ensure food security in a changing world.

A Review on Culture, Production and Use of Spirulina as Food for Humans and Feeds for Domestic Animals and Fish Padavi

This paper presents a comprehensive review of Spirulina's culture, production methods, nutritional composition, health benefits, and applications as food for humans and feeds for domestic animals and fish. Spirulina, a cyanobacterium rich in protein, essential nutrients, and bioactive compounds, holds promise as a sustainable solution to address global food security challenges. The review synthesizes existing literature and research findings to provide insights into Spirulina's cultivation techniques, nutritional value, health-promoting properties, environmental considerations, and socio-economic implications. Additionally, the paper discusses future research directions and policy recommendations to maximize Spirulina's potential in promoting human and animal health, enhancing food and nutrition security, and fostering sustainable agriculture practices. Keywords: Spirulina, culture, production, nutrition, health benefits, human nutrition, animal feed, aquaculture, sustainability.

Human management of ongoing evolutionary processes in agroecosystems

Societal Impact StatementAgricultural sustainability depends on the adaptation of crops to their local environment. Smallholder farmers who save seed provide an essential “evosystem” service by growing locally adapted seed varieties that can recruit biodiversity to enhance their growth and defense. While professional plant breeding has diverted evolutionary processes away from local adaptation, smallholder farmers, particularly those in centers of origin for crops, benefit society by selecting and propagating diverse crop varieties that allow local adaptation processes to perpetuate. Given that smallholders support society through the generation of evosystem services, changes in policy and practice are needed to support the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in ways that mitigate risk and recognize their important contributions to agricultural sustainability.SummaryLong‐term food security and agricultural sustainability depend on protecting the eco‐evolutionary processes that select for local adaptation in crops. Since seed systems structure how people acquire seed, institutional and social changes influence evolutionary processes within agroecosystems. Since World War II, the rise of professional breeding has bifurcated seed systems into traditional and formal systems, which has negatively affected agrobiodiversity, crop evolution, and agricultural sustainability. In traditional seed systems, farmers often save seed from plants that best provide desired qualities, selecting landrace crop varieties to adapt to local environmental conditions. In formal or centralized seed systems, farmers buy seeds bred primarily for maximizing yield under ideal conditions. When farmers source seeds externally, evolutionary processes underlying local adaptation are disrupted. Here, we argue that traditional seed systems provide important evosystem services, or the evolutionary processes resulting from the maintenance and use of genetic diversity that benefit society. We present a framework on how seed systems influence the evolutionary processes that enable local adaptation, which is necessary for sustainable agriculture. We discuss how changes in human values underlying traditional and formal seed systems can alter evolutionary processes that underlie local adaptation. We conclude that developing policies that support people in managing ecological and evolutionary processes within seed systems is needed to address current and future challenges of global food security and agricultural sustainability.

Flexible Cartridge Sorting Line Using Parallel Robot “Bulletsort Topcodpet”

Abstract Nowadays the automation of some industrial processes within the military system is a necessity, as this trend is accelerated by technological advances and thus must respond to the increasingly complex contemporary challenges of global security. Sorting is an extremely important process in almost any industrial area of use and it is essential that it is done in the right way so that productivity and flexibility of operations is increased. Over time, sorting with industrial robots has become an increasingly widespread and sophisticated technology, which has led to benefits in various industrial fields and manufacturing processes. This technology involves the use of robots with articulated arms or other mechatronic devices that follow the principle of modular interchangeability and are designed to pick, handle and sort different parts in an efficient and more accurate way. The desire to maximize flexibility, adaptability to changing industry requirements coupled with increased productivity has made robot arm sorting a necessary component of today's military industrial and manufacturing processes, and this technology continues to develop, opening up new opportunities in manufacturing automation. This paper presents the principle design of a flexible manufacturing line for sorting cartridges, served by a parallel robot with two degrees of freedom in the kinematic chain structure.