Defence Force Research Articles

A review of completeness and appropriateness of radiology request and adequacy of clinical information on radiology request at BDF Hospital in Bahrain

A retrospective cohort study of the completeness and appropriateness of the radiological have been performed at the Royal Medical Services - Bahrain Defence Force Hospital (RMS-BDF) between 12-March-2023 and 25-March-2023. In this framework, only two imaging modalities were selected: general X-rays and CT scan. Referrals from within RMS-BDF have been selected due to easy access and availability of all data needed for this audit. The electronic radiological request for these modalities were manually assessed for the following criteria: essential clinical information and other relevant clinical information. All evaluation criteria were listed in a data sheet and the assigned radiologists were asked to evaluate the radiological requests and tick correspondent notices in the data sheets. All data sheets were then sent to a statistician to analyze the data using Microsoft Office excel to generate graphs and figures. The data analysis showed that the accepted CT scan requests were 298 (69%) out of total 421 radiological requests. For the general X-rays, the accepted requests were 855 (40%) requests while the invalid requests were 1269 (60%) requests. According to Bahrain Defence Force Hospital standards, the referrer must provide enough medical information in order to justify the use of the radiation and to provide quality service to the patients. The outcome of this audit can be used to evaluate the compliance and completeness of the radiological request after intervention. Instructing the physicians and training them to fill all required and necessary clinical information.

Trauma care supported through a global telemedicine initiative during the 2023–24 military assault on the Gaza Strip, occupied Palestinian territory: a case series

Hospitals, patients, and health-care workers are legally protected by international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention. However, since Oct 7, 2023, the health-care system in the Gaza Strip, occupied Palestinian territory, has been under unprecedented direct military attacks by Israel, with support for patients proving to be challenging for the remaining health-care workers. Peer-to-peer telemedicine holds promise for assisting surgeons in high-risk, low-resource environments, but might be of reduced utility in extremely austere settings. We present a patient case series of traumatic injuries shared in an international telemedicine group by the surgical team at Nasser Medical Complex, also known as Nasser Hospital, the largest remaining partially functioning hospital in Gaza. WhatsApp (Meta; Menlo Park, CA, USA), a widely available and user-friendly end-to-end encrypted smartphone application, was used to facilitate consultations for weapon-inflicted injuries. All the presented patient cases were shared after obtaining verbal consent from the patients and discussed through a multidisciplinary team approach. The group was developed into a community with more than 15 specialty and injury-oriented subgroups and over 1000 members who joined through non-targeted social media outreach followed by snowball recruitment. Prospective registration and formal ethics approval in Gaza was impossible because the Ministry of Health, including the local Helsinki Committee, had suspended all operations. In June, 2024, we obtained ethics approval from the local Helsinki committee in Gaza. We present 12 select patient case studies from a pool of hundreds of patients admitted to Nasser Hospital between Jan 28 and Feb 12, 2024. Four (33%) of the 12 patients were female and eight (67%) were male, with four patients (33%) being children (younger than 18 years). The age range was between 3 years and 70 years, with a median age of 25 years. Most patients presented with penetrating injuries (11 [92%] of 12), with six patients presenting with wounds secondary to fragment injury, and five patients presenting with wounds due to gunshots. One patient presented with a direct blast injury. The site of reported injuries included head and neck areas (four [33%] of 12), abdomen (four [33%] of 12), chest (three [25%] of 12), pelvis (two [17%] of 12), and limbs (one [8%] of 12). Most patients were lost to follow-up (11 [92%] of 12) and were affected by the invasion of the hospital by the Israeli Defense Forces, which subsequently rendered the hospital non-functional. One patient died following their injury. The health-care team at the now non-functioning Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza adapted their allocation and distribution of extremely low resources and relied on smartphones for specialised telemedicine outreach purposes. This enhanced the capability of the medical teams in management of mass casualties of military assaults that few are trained to work in. Nonetheless, the options available to a health-care system that is under-staffed, under-served, and under siege, are extremely constrained, regardless of such telemedicine initiatives. None.

The Significance of Body Surface Area to Mass Ratio for Thermal Responses to a Standardized Exercise-Heat Stress Test.

To evaluate the significance of body surface area-to-mass ratio (BSA/mass) on the heat-tolerance test (HTT) results. We hypothesized that individuals defined as heat tolerant (HT) would have on average higher BSA/mass compared to heat intolerant (HI) individuals. A retrospective reanalysis of the HTT results of 517 soldiers (age: 18-38 yrs., M/F: 96/4%), who were tested by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) HTT protocol. The criterion for heat tolerance in the current analysis was a rectal temperature (Tre) plateau during the second hour of the test. A logistic regression analysis to evaluate the predictive power of BSA/mass for heat intolerance was performed; the spline model was applied to show the odds for heat intolerance across BSA/mass. In men BSA/mass of HI individuals was lower than HT individuals (248 ± 19 vs. 262 ± 18 cm2/kg, p < 0.01, d = 0.76). In women a similar trend was noted but with no statistical significance between HT and HI groups. The odd ratio for heat intolerance for every unit increase in BSA/mass was 0.97 (CI 95% 0.95-0.99). The spline model plateaued above BSA/mass of 270 cm2/kg. The results imply that body-core temperature responses to a standard exercise-heat stress (fixed external work rate and climatic conditions) are influenced by BSA/mass. More specifically, lack of a steady state in Tre (indicating heat intolerance) was more likely to occur with every unit decrease in BSA/mass. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of body anthropometry in the response to a standard exercise-heat task that might have an implication on clinical decision-making about return to duty/play of soldiers, athletes and others who deemed to be identified as HI.

Physical Activity as a Means of Enhancing Students' Academic Performance

This publication addresses the issue of improving the educational system's performance by increasing the academic success of students in higher education institutions through physical activity. The relevance of this scientific problem is extremely high. In the current reality, ensuring a proper quality of education is of paramount importance for Ukraine. The educational system provides the state and society with qualified professional personnel. From the defense sector to healthcare, there is a need for well-prepared professionals. Given this situation, the issue of high-quality student training, who will meet the labor market demand in the future, is particularly pressing. It is also important to note the significant negative impact of the trend of a substantial number of skilled and able-bodied individuals leaving Ukraine. Furthermore, a large number of highly qualified professionals from various fields have been mobilized into the Defense Forces. The labor market currently experiences a shortage in a number of professions. These factors heighten the relevance of the discussed issue. It is also worth noting that at the time of this publication, the higher education system is undergoing reforms. The optimization of the network of higher education institutions is taking place, which may lead to various negative phenomena in the education system for an indefinite period, caused by changes in curricula, personnel, and administrative restructuring in educational institutions, among other factors. It is essential to consider this contemporary challenge. In this regard, developing methods to enhance students' academic performance through all available means is an important task for the educational system. Mass physical activity among students is one of the most effective methods within this problem area. In fact, the main goal of this publication is to demonstrate that systematic physical activity, given the mass involvement of student youth, has significant potential as a tool for improving academic performance in higher education institutions. Systematic physical activity helps combat the negative effects of stress, which adversely affects students' academic activities. Additionally, regular physical exertion has been observed to positively impact cognitive abilities, which is also significant in the context of this publication. However, it is noted that the outlined issue remains a field for extensive scientific and pedagogical work, as the direct impact of regular physical activity on students' academic success is not sufficiently studied, especially in the context of Ukrainian scientific research.

Acculturative stress and identity challenges undermine the successful reintegration of Australian veterans.

Reintegration into civilian society following military separation is a challenging process. There is a dearth of research into the impact of these factors on Australian veteran reintegration. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of Australian veterans during reintegration, through the lens of acculturative stress and identity. Ten interviews were conducted with ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force. Post-1990 veterans of all genders, who were at least 18 years of age, from all service branches were eligible for the study. Thematic analysis revealed two overarching themes each with three main themes; acculturative stress (assimilation, societal issues, social isolation), and integrated identity (acceptance, integrated communities, and adapting to the civilian world). Each main theme contained two subthemes illustrating their significance. Difficulty integrating civilian and veteran identities was a key barrier to successful reintegration and negative separation experiences undermined integration of civilian and veteran identities. Acculturative stressors identified were poor understanding by family, community, and clinicians of the incompatibility between military and civilian cultures. Education is needed for clinicians, the community, and families about military culture and difficulties for veterans when reintegrating into civilian society. Support for reintegration should be tailored to the needs of veterans encompassing personally meaningful activities, use of military skills in civilian contexts, ongoing membership of the military community and engagement with other veterans. This will ultimately foster integration of veteran and civilian identities, enabling veterans to retain their veteran identity in a manner that is adaptive for the civilian context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Occupational rehabilitation of Israel Defense Forces veterans with PTSD: A 5-year follow-up.

The MOD Rehabilitation Department (RD) offers three types of rehabilitation tracks (RTs): (a) education, (b) work placement, (c) economic independence. This study aimed to examine which of the offered RTs predicted a better integration into the workforce. This is an observational, prospective, case-controlled study. Data were collected from administrative files. The data pertained to soldiers injured in military service, under RD care and recognised as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients between 2001 and 2006. As rehabilitation takes 5-6 years, we examined two points in time: 2015 and 5 years later, in 2020. The studied population comprised 462 male military veterans injured during military service and diagnosed with PTSD (mean age at the time of injury was 24.60 [SD 5.70]; median = 22). Of the participants, 87.9% (n = 406) also sustained physical injury, and 12.1% were not injured physically (n = 56; 12.1%). A regression analysis indicated that the educational RT (OR = 19.509; p = .001) predicted integration into the workforce. The whole model explained 49.0% of the variance. Of the three RT types examined, education is the most important. The more years of study, the better the ability to integrate into the workforce.

Lack of Association between Cervical Spine Injuries and Prehospital Immobilization: From Tradition to Evidence.

Background: Cervical spine (C-spine) trauma usually results from blunt injuries and is traditionally managed by prehospital spinal immobilization using a cervical collar. We sought to examine if prehospital C-spine immobilization is associated with actual C-spine injuries and what factors are associated with the decision to immobilize the C-spine. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed blunt trauma patients treated by Israeli Defense Force (IDF) medical teams from 2015 to 2020. Children, penetrating injuries, and non-threatening injuries were excluded. Demographic data, injury characteristics, and prehospital information were collected from the IDF Trauma Registry's electronic medical records and merged with corresponding hospital data from the Israeli National Trauma Registry. Results: Overall, 220 patients were included, with a mean age of 32 and a predominance of male patients (78%). Most injuries were due to motor vehicle collisions (77%). In total, 40% of the patients received a cervical collar. C-spine injuries were present in 8%, of which 50% were immobilized with a cervical collar. There were no significant differences in the incidences of C-spine injuries or disability outcomes with or without collar immobilization. The use of a collar was significantly associated with backboard immobilization (OR = 14.5, p < 0.001) and oxygen use (OR = 2.5, p = 0.032). Conclusions: Prehospital C-spine immobilization was not associated with C-spine injury or neurological disability incidences. C-spine immobilization by medical providers may be influenced by factors other than the suspected presence of a C-spine injury, such as the use of a backboard. Clear clinical guidelines for inexperienced medical providers are called for.

Personal Networks Supporting Workplace Learning

This paper is a case study researching personal social networks and their meaning to individual-level learning processes in the workplace. The study was based on the knowledge-creation metaphor of learning. Employees' personal networks are seen as an important component of their learning potential and competence. Methodologically, the paper presents a relatively new technique of Social Network Analysis (SNA), namely, the qualitative egocentric network interview, and a new way of presenting research findings in visual form. The context of the study is the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) and it was conducted in three companies of one brigade-level unit of the Finnish Army. An egocentric network interview was conducted with ten Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO). The interview data was analysed with qualitative content analysis, and the networks were visualised with the Cytoscape software. The egocentric network analysis showed that the people in the same company created a major support structure for the NCOs’ workplace learning. However, nearly all NCOs had important network structures that were formed around their individual expertise and tasks. The networks varied considerably in size and composition, but had certain connecting features. The networks had three main components; one, the personnel of the NCO’s own unit provided important social support. Two, every NCO had networks related to their own specific task, and three, some NCOs had networks formed through various stages of their life that were still active and useful in their current job. The different ways in which the networks enable and support workplace learning are discussed. In addition, some methodological issues of social network analysis are addressed.

Preterm birth in young women and singleton pregnancy following IVF in the kingdom of Bahrain

Invitro Fertilization (IVF) rate has been constantly increasing since 1986. Preterm birth is a known complication of IVF pregnancies. Analysis of the risk of preterm birth in young mothers conceived singleton pregnancy through IVF/Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an important assessment to counsel young patients contemplating IVF treatment.This is a retrospective analysis of births from young patients of ≤35 years, following natural/ IVF conception between January 2019 and February 2020 at Bahrain Defense Force Hospital. We studied the women who had conceived through ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) against women conceived naturally. Preterm birth between 24 and 37 weeks of gestation was analyzed. The risk factors for preterm delivery such as multiple pregnancy, placental insufficiency, vaginal infections as well as iatrogenic preterm deliveries were analyzed. P-Value&amp;#60;0.05 is considered statistically significant.The study included 2646 women. IVF conception was reported in 56 patients with rate of 2.1%. Our study showed that gestational age at delivery was earlier for IVF conception at 36.5 weeks compared to 39 weeks for natural conception. Multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting other risk factors of preterm delivery, confirmed increased risk of delivery before 37 weeks after IVF singleton conception with OR 2.3 and 95% CI(1.1-4.7) P = 0.02. Risk of delivery before 32 weeks not increased with IVF conception OR 2.3 with 95% CI of 0.9-5.9 P=0.09, but the risk significantly increased for delivery before 28 weeks with OR 4.5 with 95% CI(1.2-16.8)P=0.02.Preterm deliveries are significantly increased in women aged less than 35 years old after IVF/ICSI with singleton pregnancies.

Bridging IDF force-design complexities: Blueprint for bottom-up innovation – The emergence of transformational commanders and 5th Gen CINOs

Abstract In the face of an intricate defense landscape, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confronts evolving challenges, necessitating transformative strategies. In the past decade, the IDF championed innovation through decentralized silos (“islands of innovation”), steered by 4th generation Chief Innovation Officers (CINOs) with ‘liquid professionalism’. Since the establishment of the Combat Methods and Innovation (CMI) division, the IDF has formed an institutionalized innovation management system, managed by intraorganizational 5th generation CINOs. This system allowed binding these islands into a cohesive framework (an archipelago) designed to rapidly respond to internal developments and external challenges, showcasing the IDF’s capacity to navigate the complexities of modern warfare with agility and foresight. The main contribution of this article is two-folded, first it advocates for the cultivation of two types of change agents: a. the ‘transformative commanders’, leaders adept at instigating profound, organization-wide change; b. intraorganizational 5th generation CINOs. Second, it introduces a dual-pronged framework specifically designed to harness and streamline a bottom-up innovation within military organizations, and in particularly within the context of the IDF. This interdisciplinary framework is derived from both sociological and organizational systems engineering perspectives. The methodology employed to delineate its contributions leverages the theory of systematic operative design.

Mastering multicasualty trauma care with the Trauma Non-technical Skills Scale.

Multicasualty events present complex medical challenges. This is the first study to investigate the role of nontechnical skills in prehospital multicasualty trauma care. We assessed the feasibility of using the Trauma Nontechnical Skills Scale (T-NOTECHS) instrument, which has not yet been investigated to evaluate these scenarios. We conducted an observational study involving military medical teams with Israel Defense Forces Military Trauma Life Support training to assess the T-NOTECHS' utility in predicting prehospital medical team performance during multicasualty event simulations. These teams were selected from a pool of qualified military Advanced Life Support providers. Simulations were conducted in a dedicated facility resembling a field setting, with video recordings to ensure data accuracy. Teams faced a single multicasualty scenario, assessed by two instructors, and were evaluated using a 37-item checklist. The T-NOTECHS scores were analyzed using regression models to predict simulation performance. We included 27 teams for analysis, led by 28% physicians and 72% paramedics. Interrater reliability for simulation performance and T-NOTECHS scores showed good agreement. Overall T-NOTECHS scores were positively correlated with simulation performance scores ( R = 0.546, p < 0.001). Each T-NOTECHS domain correlated with simulation performance. The Communication and Interaction domain explained a unique part of the variance ( β = 0.406, p = 0.047). Assessment and Decision Making had the highest correlation ( R = 0.535, p < 0.001). These domains significantly predicted specific items on the simulation performance checklist. Cooperation and Resource Management showed the least correlation with checklist items. This study confirms the T-NOTECHS' reliability in predicting prehospital trauma team performance during multicasualty scenarios. Key nontechnical skills, especially Communication and Interaction, and Assessment and Decision Making, play vital roles. These findings underscore the importance of training in these skills to enhance trauma care in such scenarios, offering valuable insights for medical team preparation. Diagnostic Tests or Criteria; Level III.

Characterizing Excellence: Lessons From Awarded Military-Technological Leaders

As technological superiority becomes increasingly vital for military effectiveness, a distinct category of technological leaders has emerged within militaries. This qualitative study explores excellence in this domain by interviewing 11 recipients of the prestigious Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Technological Award. In-depth interviews grounded in the critical incident technique revealed four integral facets of military tech leadership excellence: Technical mastery built through expertise and continuous learning, mission dedication demonstrated through overcoming obstacles, interpersonal skills in understanding needs and translating across domains, and adaptability in integrating innovation. Notable findings show that technologists adhere to canonical military leadership values such as mission dedication, although they apply them distinctly for technological purposes. Compared with traditional military leadership, tech leaders have specialized skills in bridging operational necessities and technological solutions. This study proposes a framework that encapsulates the attributes, motivations, and behaviors that underpin excellence in military technological leadership. These findings have implications for selection, training, and development of future leaders in military technology.

Disclosure and concealment in military couples: A dyadic study.

Disclosure of deployment-related experiences among military couples is generally beneficial to mental health and relationship adjustment. Yet, disclosure by the spouse is rarely studied, as are the dyadic associations between disclosure and outcomes in both partners. The present study used a dyadic approach to study the relationship between disclosure or concealment on one hand and mental health and relationship adjustment on the other hand among Israeli military couples. Sixty-three Israel Defense Force (IDF) combat veterans (all male) and their spouses (all female; N = 126) completed self-report questionnaires about disclosure and concealment of deployment-related experiences to their partner; relationship adjustment; depression; and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Six Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIM) were used for dyadic analysis. We found lower disclosure and higher concealment of deployment-related experiences by veterans compared to spouses. The veteran's concealment of deployment-related experiences was associated with lower relationship adjustment for both partners and with the veteran's own higher PTSS. The spouse's concealment was associated with greater depression for both partners and with the spouse's own higher PTSS. Neither actor nor partner effects were found for disclosure regarding all three outcomes. Concealment of deployment-related experiences among military couples may have detrimental implications on the mental health and relationship adjustment of both the concealer and their partner. The spouse's concealment of their experience was as related to mental health and relationship adjustment as the veteran's concealment. The findings highlight the need to address communication about deployment-related experiences by both partners among military couples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Inclusion of Diversity: Experiences of (in)Equality among Conscripts with a Migrant Background in the Finnish Defence Forces

ABSTRACT In this article, we analyse the inclusion of individuals with migrant backgrounds in a public institution through a case study of the Finnish Defence forces. We consider the extent to which individuals with a migrant background perceive existing structures and practices as ensuring equal inclusion within the Finnish Defence Forces, an institution traditionally characterised by ethnic homogeneity. We study (in)equality through the lenses of civic, social, cultural-religious and linguistic inclusion. The article is based on 24 interviews of conscripts with a migrant background. In terms of civic inclusion, most interviewees perceived the military environment, as less discriminatory than in the wider society. Moreover, cultural-religious diversity appeared to be adequately addressed, with well-established practices and routines for its management. However, practices regarding linguistic diversity did not receive the same level of consideration. In terms of social inclusion, some interviewees described experiencing bullying, which they considered to be related to their migrant background. The findings underscore the existence of well-established practices that promote intercultural and multicultural inclusion in a public institution, while they also highlight the need for heightened attention to certain critical aspects.

Epidemiology of cruciate ligament reconstruction in the Australian Defence Force and predictors of outcome

BackgroundThe ability to predict the risk of poor outcome following knee cruciate ligament reconstruction in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) population would help direct individual rehabilitation programmes and workforce planning....

Musculoskeletal system injuries in the Polish Territorial Defence Forces

BackgroundMusculoskeletal system injuries (MSIs) are the major health problem of soldiers. The aim of this study was to assess the types of MSIs that occurred most frequently among soldiers and...

Alcohol use and its associated factors among Ethiopian military personnel

BackgroundStudies indicate that alcohol use is more prevalent in the military and that such use is related to coping mechanisms for stress. Alcohol use could result in health and social...

Rising sun in the cyber domain: Japan’s strategic shift toward active cyber defense

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of Japan’s evolving cyber defense capabilities and explores its future challenges. National security has transformed in the twenty first century, with cyberspace becoming a key conflict domain. Japan, like other nations, has adapted to these changes. In 2022, the Japanese government introduced its active cyber defense concept. The National Security Strategy of 2022 stated the government’s posture for active cyber defense, which pre-emptively neutralizes adversary computers. This marked a turning point in Japan’s security and defense. This strategic shift, which occurred notably between 2000 and 2022, exemplifies Japan’s transition in the cyber domain. The scope of protecting cyberspace has evolved from primarily safeguarding civilian infrastructure to adopting proactive measures. This evolution is analyzed in the paper, which contrasts Japan’s approach with Western nations’ military-driven cyber policies. Additionally, the multifaceted challenges and opportunities arising from this paradigm shift in cyber capability development are explored. The analysis encompasses key aspects, including the policy formation, international cooperation, budgetary allocations, and the progress of organizational structures regarding the cyber domain. Furthermore, the study explores Japan’s future trajectory in cyber defense, with a particular focus on its role within the ‘Multi-Domain Defense Force’ and the dynamics of the Japan-US alliance.

Critical Analysis of Status of Counter-Terrorism Strategies in Manda, Lamu County, Kenya: A Multifaceted Examination of HUMINT and SIGINT

This paper presents a critical analysis of counter-terrorism strategies in Kenya, with a specific focus on the multifaceted examination of Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a thorough understanding of Kenya&amp;apos;s efforts to combat terrorism. The target population of this study encompassed participants involved in counter-terrorism activities in Kenya. This included officers in security agencies such as the National Intelligence Service and the Kenya Defense Forces which formed our target population. A total of 93 officers participated. The respondents were drawn through purposive sampling. By addressing multiple levels of involvement, the paper provides a holistic view of counter-terrorism strategies and their impact. Quantitative data was collected through surveys administered to a representative sample of security personnel in the NIS and KDF. Qualitative data on the other hand was collected through interviews. Semi-structured interviews were done with key informants, such as heads of the National Intelligence Service and Kenya Defense Forces helped capture the nuanced perspectives on HUMINT and SIGINT. STATA and Statistical Package for Social Scences (SPSS) Software were used to analyze quantitative data from the survey. The statistical significance between the average expectations and average perceptions in both security agencies was analyzed using two-sample t-tests. Additionally, the significance of the gaps between the agencies was assessed with Hotelling’s T-squared test at a 5% significance level. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were also used to determine the strength and direction of the relationship between the independent variable (s) and the dependent variable. The study generally found that the indicators of the HUMINT strategy were effective in countering terrorism except for source penetration. Further, the study determined that all indicators of SIGINT strategy were ineffective in countering terrorism except for interception of communication and timely warnings.

A New “Cult of the Offensive?” Elite Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Military Affairs in the United States and the People’s Republic of China

Abstract The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in military affairs is largely limited to logistics, transport, reconnaissance, and other support functions at present. Yet, the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are also making significant progress in developing autonomous combat vehicles and other offensive applications of AI. The ambiguous nature and multifaceted applications of AI in military affairs could be seen as either increasing or decreasing the relative cost of offensive military action. The critical question, therefore, is not a technical determination of whether the emerging uses of AI favor the offensive or defensive force, but rather an assessment of how AI is perceived by policymakers. Similar to the World War I era cult of the offensive, ambiguous emerging technology may drive leaders to focus on the offensive advantages of that technology when expectations of conflict are rising. This paper examines the policy elite discourse surrounding the military applications of AI in both the United States and the PRC between 2014 and 2022. It finds that over this period, elite discussion of the use of AI in military affairs has shifted in both states in ways that indicate more focus on the offensive rather than defensive applications of this emerging technology. While by no means determinative, it is an indicator that perceptions of the offense–defense balance may be moving in a destabilizing direction.