Internal Vulnerability Research Articles

Construction of Wetland Ecological Security Pattern in Wuhan Metropolitan Core Area Considering Wetland Ecological Risk

Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. Preserving the ecological security of wetlands is critically important for regional environmental protection and sustainable development. However, in the core area of the Wuhan metropolitan circle, which is rapidly urbanizing, its wetlands are more susceptible to external natural environmental risks, such as changes in temperature and rainfall, as well as risks to human activity, such as social and economic activities, urban expansion, land use changes, and population growth. Meanwhile, the internal vulnerability of wetlands in terms of their spatial extent, structure, and functions also exacerbates ecological risks. These factors collectively influence the formation and development of wetland ecological risks. This study aims to comprehensively assess wetland ecological risks in the core area of the Wuhan metropolitan circle by combining external hazards and internal vulnerabilities and to construct and optimize the wetlands’ ecological security pattern. We used the MSPA method to identify potential ecological sources. Additionally, the MCR model was employed to integrate ecological risk assessment results into the resistance surface, identify potential ecological corridors and nodes, construct the wetland ecological security pattern for the urban circle, and propose specific optimization strategies. In total, 31 primary and 106 secondary ecological sources were selected, along with 20 primary and 42 secondary ecological nodes. Furthermore, 10 major ecological corridors were constructed. Considering the landscape characteristics of the wetlands in the core area of the Wuhan metropolitan circle, the southern Yangtze River region will center around the Liangzi Lake group to establish a crucial corridor network, promoting overall wetland restoration and connectivity. Meanwhile, the northern Yangtze River region will form a chain-like distribution along the river, creating diverse ecosystems. This study provides a theoretical foundation for constructing and optimizing the ecological security pattern of wetlands, laying a solid groundwork for promoting regional wetland conservation and sustainable development.

Organisational vulnerability: exploring the pathways

PurposeThis study aimed to address the underexplored domain of organisational vulnerability, with a specific focus on understanding how vulnerability is understood in organisations and the underlying pathways leading to vulnerability.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilised a narrative literature review methodology, using Google Scholar as the primary source, to analyse the concepts of organisational vulnerability in the context of disaster risk studies. The review focused on relevant documents published between the years 2000 and 2022.FindingsThe analysis highlights the multifaceted nature of organisational vulnerability, which arises from both inherent weaknesses within the organisation and external risks that expose it to potential hazards. The inherent weaknesses are rooted in internal vulnerability pathways such as organisational culture, managerial ignorance, human resources, and communication weaknesses that compromise the organisation’s resilience. The external dimension of vulnerability is found in cascading vulnerability pathways, e.g. critical infrastructure, supply chains, and customer relationships.Originality/valueAs the frequency and severity of disasters continue to increase, organisations of all sizes face heightened vulnerability to unforeseen disruptions and potential destruction. Acknowledging and comprehending organisational vulnerability is a crucial initial step towards enhancing risk management effectiveness, fostering resilience, and promoting sustainable success in an interconnected global environment and an evolving disaster landscape.

Plant trait approach to assess the vulnerability of Rhododendron arboreum in western Himalayas

Climate change is profoundly impacting Himalayan ecosystems, with substantial challenges to keystone species like Rhododendron arboreum. Present study attempted to investigate R. arboreum response to varying environmental conditions at altitudes between 1500 and 3000 m in three western Himalayan temperate forests, through evaluating plant functional traits. IPCC's internal vulnerability framework, characterised by two dimensions: sensitivity and adaptive capacity was applied. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to elucidate the relationship between traits and the dimensions. Sensitivity was analysed using sub components like Light Harvesting, Nutrient and Gas Fluxes, while adaptive capacity by Resource Efficiency, Architecture and Defence, Resource Limitation and Resource Facilitation. The results revealed high sensitivity (0.64) in moru oak forests, high adaptive capacity in moist temperate deciduous forests (0.59), and high vulnerability in ban oak forests (0.54). SEM Models for sensitivity and adaptive capacity were significant. Sensitivity exhibited positively significant influence of Nutrient and Gas Fluxes with path coefficient of 1.07 and 0.80, respectively. Adaptive capacity showed a positive relationship with the Resource Limitation and Architecture and Defence, while a negative relationship with Resource Facilitation, with a path coefficient of 0.94, 0.42 and −0.11, respectively. Overall, the vulnerability of R. arboreum to environmental changes is shaped by a complex interplay of physical characteristics (morphological), biological functions (physiological), and interactions with surroundings (ecological). These insights underscore the importance of understanding trait vulnerability dynamics for effective forest management strategies amidst changing environmental conditions.

Internal Vulnerability Analysis and Measures for Private Rentals — COVID-19 in Hong Kong as an Example

Internal Vulnerability Analysis and Measures for Private Rentals — COVID-19 in Hong Kong as an Example

Identification of functional traits responsible for environmental vulnerability of Cedrus deodara in temperate forests of Western Himalaya

Climate change is impacting forest tree species adversely and making the ecological system vulnerable. The present study attempts to assess the internal vulnerability of Cedrus deodara occurring in nine sub-types of temperate forests in Western Himalaya, India via a plant functional trait-based approach. Internal vulnerability was assessed based on sensitivity and adaptive capacity through proposing an index using IPCC framework. Sensitivity was determined based on various traits (indicators) of light harvesting, carbon assimilation, nutrient content, and water budget, whereas adaptability was defined based on light harvesting efficiency, water use efficiency, resource use efficiency, and nutrient limitation. Sensitivity was maximum in Dry Deodar Forest (0.51) and Low-Level Blue Pine Forest (0.51) and minimum in Western Mixed Coniferous Forest (o.38), however adaptability was maximum in Kharsu Oak Forest (0.65) and Moist Deodar Forest-II (0.65) with minimum adaptability for Ban Oak Forest (0.53). In Ban Oak Forest, Low-Level Blue Pine Forest and Moist Deodar Forest-II high stomatal conductance compensates the low chlorophyll achieving homeostasis state for photosynthesis. Negative minimum temperature (-6.95 to −2.04 °C) in winters followed by high monsoon rainfall (417.74 to 1256.13 mm) causes high sensitivity amongst the C. deodara population in Low Level Blue Pine Forest, Dry Deodar Forest and Moist Deodar Forest-II; and adaptability was majorly affected by water availability i.e., excessive monsoon rainfall in Ban Oak Forest (1962.45 mm) and least rainfall in Neoza Pine Forest (349.50 mm). Overall, the vulnerability was high in Low Level Blue Pine Forest (0.46), Ban Oak Forest (0.45) and Dry Deodar Forest (0.45). Present study identified key traits for species vulnerability therefore management intervention should orient towards those silvicultural operations which may reduce relative water use of the species and may also facilitate for improved photosynthesis i.e., through water provision and density management of the C. deodara dominated forests in Himalayan region. The study concludes that a unified approach for managing species of the forest may be disadvantageous and detrimental to forest conservation. Rather site-specific management approach, which led to incremental response to the identified traits may support the conservation of species.

Analysis of the Necessity of Cooperation Between China and ASEAN in the Epidemic Era

The dialogue process between China and ASEAN was officially launched in 1991. Over the past three decades, the bilateral relations between them have made remarkable achievements and become a model of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and ASEAN have developed closer ties and made great progress in cooperation in political security, economic trade, health security and other fields. Today, ASEAN has surpassed the United States and the European Union to become China's largest trading partner. This paper discusses the necessity of cooperation between China and ASEAN in the post-epidemic era. For China, ASEAN is an important strategic pivot to safeguard its neighborhood security. China has always followed an ASEAN-centric strategy, and its vaccine diplomacy during the pandemic has been very effective, which has boosted its relations with ASEAN. For ASEAN, its internal vulnerability has forced it to rely on external powers, with China being one of its preferred powers because of its geographical location and close economic ties. As to global order, the US pivot to Asia and the more serious friction between China and the US during the pandemic era make it necessary for China and ASEAN to work together to maintain the unity of the Asian region.

Relationship between the Polymorphism of the AKT1 Gene and the Consumption of Cannabis in the Appearance of Psychosis

Introduction: Psychotic disorders are a mental illness that affect 3% of the world’s population. The external (cannabis) and internal vulnerability factors (polymorphisms of the AKT1 gene, the COMT gene and the DAT1 gene) acquire special relevance in the appearance of psychosis; this is known as the vulnerability–stress model. Objective: To analyze the scientific evidence that reflects the relationship between the polymorphism of the AKT1 gene and the consumption of cannabis in the appearance of psychosis. Material and Methods: The bibliographic search was made using databases such as Scopus, WoS, Cochrane Library, TRIP Database, PubPsych and PubMed. The criteria of the “MeSH” terminology and the inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed, obtaining a total of 22 articles that comprises this narrative review. Results: The presence of genetic variation in the locus rs2494732 of the AKT1 gene in a cannabis user raises the risk of the appearance of psychosis, especially if homozygous with the C allele. Likewise, consumption entails a slowdown in the functionality of the AKT1 gene, releasing a greater amount of dopamine in the striatum through the involvement of indirect mechanisms. Similarly, the COMT gene and the interaction of the AKT1 gene with the DAT1 gene raise the risk of developing psychotic disorder. Conclusion: The genetic polymorphism rs2494732 of AKT1 is the main factor responsible for the appearance of psychosis, although polymorphisms of the COMT and DAT1 gene are also implicated. Regarding the AKT1 gene, subjects with two copies of the C allele have a higher risk of developing psychosis compared to subjects with two copies of the T allele. It should also be noted that the muscarinic receptors rs115455482 and rx74722579 are related to a greater vulnerability to psychosis and the development of psychotic disorders.

An evaluating system for wetland ecological risk: Case study in coastal mainland China

Coastal wetland degradation and fragmentation contribute to habitat and biodiversity loss. We construct wetland ecological risk assessment framework to evaluate the risk posed to 35 coastal wetland national nature reserves (NNRs) in China for the years 2000 and 2020. Our wetland ecological risk index (WRI) is based on an external hazard sub-index (EHI) and an internal vulnerability sub-index. Most NNRs have low EHI values in both 2000 and 2020. Ratios of change in EHI range from −22.76% to 52.15% (a negative value indicates a decrease, a positive value an increase), and the EHI for 20 of 35 NNRs (57.1%) decreases over time. Variation in the internal vulnerability index ranges −44.78% to 88.97%, and increases at 18 NNRs (51.4%) over time. WRI variation ranges between −48.13% and 82.91%, and increases at 19 NNRs (54.3%). Most NNRs are ranked as being at low, medium risk in both 2000 and 2020. Notably, the number of high-risk NNRs increases from 3 to 10 (for which WRI values also increase). Expansion of built-up land, cropland occupation (in 2020), road disturbance, and water quality are all significantly associated WRI. Intensified management of the 10 NNRs ranked at high risk is necessary to prevent further deterioration.

Rapid fabrication of SiO2-PHEMA photonic crystal hydrogel composite microspheres

Traditional photonic crystal microspheres have internal pores and can only be fabricated by self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles. Therefore, their internal vulnerability to contamination and poor structural stability limit their further application. Therefore, we proposed a new method of photonic crystal composite microsphere fabrication by combining polymerisation with the self-assembly process. The droplets composed of colloidal nanoparticles, monomer, and initiator in continuous phase are obtained by a Shirasu porous glass (SPG) membrane emulsification undergo polymerised and self-assembled to obtain organic-inorganic photonic crystal composite microspheres. Since the self-assembled colloidal nanoparticles are immobilized in the polymer cross-linked network, the composite microspheres exhibit high structural stability. Based on this, we fabricated SiO2-PHEMA photonic crystal composite microspheres by polymerisation and self-assembly process. Compared with the pure SiO2 photonic crystal microspheres fabricated by the same method, the composite microspheres exhibit high structural stability, color saturation, and good hydrophobicity due to the self-curling of the material driven by hydrogen bonding during polymerisation. In addition to the potential applications as dyes, biosensors, and in light, these composite microspheres overcome the difficulty of bulk generation of traditional photonic crystal microspheres and have the potential for industrialized mass production.

Challenges for Security Threat of Ethiopia in Using Subaltern Realist Security Theory Perspective

Subaltern is the postcolonial approach to study international relation from the week states’ perspective. It is the offspring of realism which focuses on internal vulnerability is a major source of insecurity. The paper is applied as a framework to explain security threats in Ethiopia and reviewed papers that are writing on Ethiopian national security. This term paper reviewed and classified the Ethiopian security threats as internal and external. By consulting the bulk of literature and my daily academic talk with colleagues; Poverty, famine, recurrent and drought, National integrity (consolidating Ethnic conflict federalism), The danger of succession and state failure, Democratization and election issues are identified as Internal security threats. On the other hand Terrorism, Proliferation of arms, Fragile Relation with Neighboring governments, Nile politics and neighboring countries’ spreading civil wars are claimed to be External security threats. To sustain the sparkle of democracy and development achieved throughout the last decades, it is imperative to work aggressively and focus on the country’s internal vulnerability

An approach for predicting multiple-type overflow vulnerabilities based on combination features and a time series neural network algorithm

Overflow vulnerability is a common and dangerous software vulnerability that can lead to information theft, resource control, system collapse and other hazards. However, recent studies on predicting software overflow vulnerability have failed to specifically analyze factors and features that can lead to each type of overflow vulnerability and have only focused on binary classification problems rather than multiclassification problems, which are inefficient and time-consuming. Therefore, this paper proposes a multiple-type overflow vulnerability prediction method based on a combination of features and a time series neural network algorithm. First, by analyzing software overflow vulnerability features, a method is proposed to extract the internal vulnerability features of program source code. Then, an IFS set of internal vulnerability features of software overflow vulnerability is constructed. Second, an EFS set of external vulnerability features of software overflow vulnerability is extracted using a source code static analysis tool. A software overflow vulnerability feature library is constructed based on the IFS set and the EFS set. Finally, a multiple-type overflow vulnerability prediction method is constructed based on a time series bidirectional recurrent neural network after the symbol transformation and vector transformation of software overflow vulnerability features. Experiments show that the proposed method offers a higher precision, accuracy, recall rate, and F1 value. Moreover, this method can accurately detect the overflow vulnerability in actual software vulnerability predictions.

Simulation as a Disruptive Innovation in Advanced Practice Nursing Programs: A Report from a Qualitative Examination

Simulation as a pedagogy is used extensively to educate healthcare professionals in both academic and clinical arenas with the intent to improve the delivery of care and patient outcomes. Advanced practice nursing (APN) programs use simulation as a pedagogy even though APN accreditation and certification organizations prohibit substituting simulation hours for the minimum 500 clinical hours. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore faculty perceptions of educating APN students using simulation. Focus groups were conducted with a convenience sample of APN simulation faculty. Disruptive innovation theory was used by the researchers to guide the data analysis. Themes emerging during analysis included: 1) extrinsic tension and pressure in the midst of chaos, 2) internal vulnerability, and 3) passion and tenacity to remain resilient. The study results provide clarity to understand integration of APN simulation in the current environment, and introduce the impact of simulation as a disruptive innovation.

Research on vulnerability analysis model of security accident system in petrochemical enterprises

AbstractPetrochemical enterprises store and process a large number of flammable, explosive, toxic and harmful chemicals, and their security protection systems are vulnerable. Once damaged by man‐made malicious will cause serious losses and adverse effects. Previous studies on the vulnerability of petrochemical enterprises have insufficient consideration of systematicity and uniqueness, and lack consideration of the correlation and game of vulnerability elements. In this study, from the perspective of system, the elements of the security accident system vulnerability are analyzed, and the vulnerability analysis model of security accident system is put forward by studying the interaction between the elements. Threat and exposure constitute the external vulnerability of security accident system, sensitivity and adaptability constitute the internal vulnerability of security accident system; and the threat plays a counter role with sensitivity and adaptability through exposure, which promotes the evolution of vulnerability; Moreover, the different vulnerability elements of security accident system evolve step by step, with the evolution of security accidents. Finally, an illustrative case proves the feasibility of the vulnerability analysis model proposed in this study. The results of this research enrich the theoretical research on vulnerability, provide a reference for the prevention and control of security accidents in petrochemical enterprises.

Towards resilient design of the building asset: the BREEAM-based evaluation of the Z Hotel Holborn, London

Purpose Environmental treat poses a challenge to the entire built environment. This paper aims to focus on the building asset as the key element of any urban pattern, and, therefore, a crucial condition towards success or failure in achieving resilience. Through the environmental performance assessment of the adaptive reuse project in London, this paper identifies the design principles of resilience, focusing specifically on the measures for protecting vulnerable parts of the building from damage, as well as protecting exposed parts of the building from material degradation. Design/methodology/approach Based on the overview of both scholarly articles and practitioners’ guides, the authors first offer a systematic overview of the main qualities and attributes of the resilient design. Further, to operationalise the resilient design principles, the authors use the well-established Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) on the case of adaptive reuse of the Z Hotel Holborn in London. Specifically, the authors examine if the case building applies the measures to decrease its internal vulnerability and reduce negative effects of external hazards. Findings The study confirms that external shocks are controlled by protecting exposed building parts from degradation and that preventing damage to vulnerable parts of the building increases resilience. Originality/value Through the analysis of both reactive and proactive perspectives of resilience, this paper elucidates the concept of resilience in the context of architectural design. Furthermore, this paper identifies the attributes of resilient architectural design and presents the measures which directly influence the durability and resilience of the building asset.

Developing a system of anti-crisis measures for Ukraine’s economy in the spread of the coronavirus pandemic

The new global financial and economic crisis is caused by the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, the reduction in aggregate supply, the escalation of trade wars, and the outflow of capital from emerging markets. This requires national macroeconomic regulatory authorities to take prudent measures to protect national economies from destabilizing externalities. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to justify and develop a priority system of stabilization policy and anti-crisis measures to counter the spread of external shocks in the national economy, stabilize it, and create conditions for its further recovery and sustainable economic growth. To achieve this aim, the existing theoretical sources and research materials of international organizations were systematized, the legislative and regulatory framework in Ukraine was generalized, and statistical methods, a historical method, analysis and generalization were also used. As a result, the channels of impact of external shocks on Ukraine’s economy were identified, and the areas of internal vulnerability of the national economy that could significantly increase the negative effects of externalities were determined. The knowledge gained has become the basis for formulating conceptual directions of crisis management and developing a system of measures to counteract crisis phenomena, which include the monetary policy tools of the National Bank of Ukraine, the structural and fiscal policy of the Government, as well as the banking regulation and capital control policies.

Discussion of “The Therapeutics of the Fee in Psychoanalysis”

This discussion of Dr. Pauley’s paper (this issue) on the therapeutics of the fee first highlights the various valuable contributions Pauley makes. It applauds his unusual openness in sharing his internal vulnerability with patients around fees, his raising the question about why fee setting is so complicated for analysts and patients alike, his focusing on omnipotent fantasies in the transference and countertransference, and his uncovering of the multiple meanings money has for therapists beyond just their income. Berger picks up on Pauley’s invitation to therapists to be more curious about their own discomforts with money. Drawing on her own teaching, writing and clinical experience, she adds to Pauley’s more global ideas, stressing instead the more specific meaning of money in each treatment dyad. Among these specifics, Berger highlights the chronic avoidance of teaching about money in analytic institutes. She clarifies some Freudian ideas about how money can become tied up with anal witholding, and offers examples of how she got stuck with three patients around setting and raising their fees. Berger describes how these patients’ believed that their fees could mean safety, value or exploitation and how these attribuitions generated countertransference blind spots for her. The discussion urges clinicians to keep digging hard into themselves for the many meanings of money, to pay attention to the devil in their own details, and thereby maximize the richness of their work with patients around a topic so loaded for all of us.

Assessing Fiscal Space - An Initial Consistent Set of Considerations

Fiscal space is a multi-dimensional concept reflecting whether a government can raise spending or lower taxes without endangering market access and debt sustainability. Making such a determination requires a comprehensive approach considering, among other things, initial economic and structural conditions, market access, the level and trajectory of public debt, present and future financing needs, and dynamic analysis of the liquidity and solvency of the fiscal position under alternative policies. Balancing these considerations involves careful analysis and judgment. Fund staff has over the years developed a variety of indicators to inform assessments of fiscal space in bilateral and multilateral surveillance. The Fund’s core operational framework for such analysis is the debt sustainability framework, which includes a number of indicators, while allowing room for staff judgment. Surveillance also relies importantly on indicators developed by the Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD)––including those that have been used in the internal Vulnerability Exercise and Fiscal Monitors––while more recent methods based on fiscal stress tests and probabilistic approaches proposed in IMF (2016) are also promising. In addition, teams have used scenario analysis and general equilibrium modeling approaches to evaluate fiscal policy choices and their implications for sustainability. When applied to fiscal space, each indicator and approach has pros and cons and none covers all the relevant factors. Ultimately, therefore, assessing fiscal space requires judgment, informed by a broad range of tools. This note seeks to bring together various approaches developed by Fund staff to outline a consistent set of considerations and indicators to help inform assessments of fiscal space, especially for advanced and emerging markets. The intent is to facilitate continued consistency between country team assessments by providing some common considerations and approaches to inform their judgment. The proposed framework will support Fund surveillance and policy advice going forward, informing discussions of the appropriate fiscal stance at all stages of the economic cycle.

Can Continental Shelf River Plumes in the Northern and Southern Gulf of Mexico Promote Ecological Resilience in a Time of Climate Change?

Deltas and estuaries built by the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River (MAR) in the United States and the Usumacinta/Grijalva River (UGR) in Mexico account for 80 percent of all Gulf of Mexico (GoM) coastal wetlands outside of Cuba. They rank first and second in freshwater discharge to the GoM and owe their natural resilience to a modular geomorphology that spreads risk across the coast-scape while providing ecosystem connectivity through shelf plumes that connect estuaries. Both river systems generate large plumes that strongly influence fisheries production over large areas of the northern and southern GoM continental shelves. Recent watershed process simulations (DLEM, MAPSS) driven by CMIP3 General Circulation Model (GCM) output indicate that the two systems face diverging futures, with the mean annual discharge of the MAR predicted to increase 11 to 63 percent, and that of the UGR to decline as much as 80 percent in the 21st century. MAR delta subsidence rates are the highest in North America, making it particularly susceptible to channel training interventions that have curtailed a natural propensity to shift course and deliver sediment to new areas, or to refurbish zones of high wetland loss. Undoing these restrictions in a controlled way has become the focus of a multi-billion-dollar effort to restore the MAR delta internally, while releasing fine-grained sediments trapped behind dams in the Great Plains has become an external goal. The UGR is, from an internal vulnerability standpoint, most threatened by land use changes that interfere with a deltaic architecture that is naturally resilient to sea level rise. This recognition has led to successful efforts in Mexico to protect still intact coastal systems against further anthropogenic impacts, as evidenced by establishment of the Centla Wetland Biosphere Preserve and the Terminos Lagoon Protected Area. The greatest threat to the UGR system, however, is an external one that will be imposed by the severe drying predicted for the entire Mesoamerican “climate change hot-spot”, a change that will necessitate much greater international involvement to protect threatened communities and lifeways as well as rare habitats and species.

The latent state hazard model, with application to wind turbine reliability

We present a new model for reliability analysis that is able to distinguish the latent internal vulnerability state of the equipment from the vulnerability caused by temporary external sources. Consider a wind farm where each turbine is running under the external effects of temperature, wind speed and direction, etc. The turbine might fail because of the external effects of a spike in temperature. If it does not fail during the temperature spike, it could still fail due to internal degradation, and the spike could cause (or be an indication of) this degradation. The ability to identify the underlying latent state can help better understand the effects of external sources and thus lead to more robust decision-making. We present an experimental study using SCADA sensor measurements from wind turbines in Italy.

From the Security to Insecurity Dilemma Developing a Theory of Security for Todayys Emerging Powers

The West's attempts to isolate Russia during the Ukraine crisis have failed to win the support of the leading states of Global South. China, Brazil, India, and South Africa abstained from the UN resolution to condemn Russia's annexation of Crimea and have spoken out against further sanctions. This response reflects their receptiveness to Russia's claims that events in Kiev constituted a "color revolution" orchestrated by the West -- a narrative that speaks to developing states' own feelings of internal vulnerability and weakness. The paper builds on Mohammed Ayoob's "third world security predicament" modifying this concept to fit an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world where developing states are the biggest new players. We are used to thinking of conflict between states in terms of the security dilemma, i.e. where a state’s strength has the effect of making it more secure but also increases the insecurity of other states. A state’s internal weaknesses can unleash a similar cycle of suspicion and conflict. If a state believes that these weaknesses will be exploited by rival powers it may look for ways to push back. In a world where the emerging powers and potential rivals to US and Western hegemony are also developing states this kind of insecurity dilemma may represent the more dangerous threat to peace between great powers.