International Security Research Articles

Mechanisms for identifying and regulating opportunistic behavior of personnel in a company

Aim. To summarize the main mechanisms of regulating and limiting opportunistic behavior in the company.Objectives. To study the tools to prevent opportunistic behavior presented in the studies of consulting companies; to establish which methods of identifying opportunism are more effective; to describe the main mechanisms aimed at reducing the risk of opportunistic behavior in the company.Methods. The author applied methods of generalization of theoretical and practical base of mechanisms aimed at regulating opportunistic behavior, as well as processing and generalization of analytical materials of consulting companies and professional associations.Results. In order to reduce the risk of opportunistic behavior in the company, it is necessary to build an effective recruitment process. Companies need a third-party or internal security service that will reduce the percentage of risk of hiring employees who are detrimental to the company. Companies should also develop preventive measures to combat opportunistic behavior of employees (rules of business conduct enshrined in an official company document, with which the employee should be familiarized). In order to detect opportunism expressed in the so-called shirking, you can install special software on the work computer and use pass systems to track the time of arrival and departure of the employee. In addition, it is necessary to competently build the process of introducing mechanisms to regulate the manifestation of opportunistic behavior in order to avoid organizational conflicts and resistance on the part of the workforce. Creation of an effective system of personnel motivation will draw the attention of personnel to the achievement of the company's goals, because, having achieved them, they will achieve the reward for the work done. This will reduce the risk of opportunistic behavior, and the formation of the personnel reserve of the organization will allow the management to reduce the level of opportunism expressed in the form of misinforming the employer, hiding the true objectives of staying in a new workplace.Conclusions. In practice, there are many mechanisms for regulating and limiting opportunistic behavior of personnel. According to surveys of consulting companies, the first place is occupied by the policy of counteraction to corporate fraud, the second place is shared by the hotline and monitoring of suspicious activity, in which employees are involved by anonymous reporting of information. Then comes training for employees and company management, and data analytics. Tip-offs are used to detect 42 % of corporate fraud, with employees reporting illegal activities in 55 % of cases. Some companies conduct internal investigations, but almost 50 % of them do not respond to opportunism, including fraud.

The UN Security Council and Its Decision-Making Mechanism

Protecting international peace and security is the primary goal of establishing the United Nations. To achieve this goal, the organization has established, since its founding, the International Security Council. The International Security Council is one of the most important main bodies of the United Nations and is primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security. The Council also With the tasks entrusted to it under Article (24) of the Charter, after the members of the organization, pursuant to this article, entrusted the Council to carry out on behalf of the countries of the organization the task of maintaining international peace and security, which is represented by major and important duties, and because achieving this goal is entrusted to the Security Council, the Charter of Nations granted it the United Nations has many powers and powers that the General Assembly does not have. We find the basis of these powers in Chapters (6-7-8-12). The Council’s decisions also have binding force, as member states are committed to implementing its decisions, based on what is stated in Article (25) of the United Nations Charter, all of this comes in order to protect international peace and security. Article 23 of the United Nations Charter came as the basis for the establishment of this important body, after Chapter Five of the United Nations Charter regulated the work of the Security Council, including the functions and powers, formation and management of the Council’s meetings, and the work of its affiliated bodies. The composition of this Security Council has a characteristic that differs from the rest of the United Nations bodies, as the five major member states enjoy an advantage that the rest of the Council’s member states do not enjoy, and this advantage is evident in the right to permanent membership and the right to veto any decision issued by the Council. Finally, we conclude that the UN Security Council is the real institution that it dominates not only the United Nations, but the entire world. In view of the fundamental goal of the United Nations, which is to protect international peace and security.

North Korea’s Nuclear Advancement and Its Increasing Impact on International Security

North Korea’s nuclear advancements have not only escalated tensions across the Korean peninsula but also presented significant challenges to broader international security. Pyongyang has remained the primary supplier of weapons to Russia amid the conflict in Ukraine, a dynamic that is described as “the tail wagging the dog”. Should Donald Trump be re-elected and hastily negotiate a nuclear deal with Kim Jong-un, it could potentially heighten the risk of nuclear proliferation in East Asia.

Cyber Shadows over Nuclear Peace: Understanding and Mitigating Digital Threats to Global Security

This article examines the intersection of cyber warfare and nuclear security, emphasising the significance of addressing the emerging threats to nuclear facilities from cyberattacks. The article highlights a gap in the international security architecture: the absence of an international regime for nuclear cybersecurity. This deficiency challenges the Non-Proliferation Treaty regime, threatening global peace and stability by undermining the treaty’s objectives and increasing the risk of nuclear proliferation and misuse. The research underscores the need for an international regime that integrates cybersecurity with nuclear security. It calls for the involvement of middle powers in international negotiations and consensus-building, alongside exploring innovative diplomatic strategies and robust legal frameworks. The article seeks to contribute to the discourse on international security, advocating for a coordinated global response to safeguard against the catastrophic consequences of digital threats in the nuclear domain.

Diplomacy in Expansion. Promoting Knowledge Through International Relations

Abstract To say that today’s international security environment has become highly complex is a truism. No one doubts this anymore, which is not to say that the efforts to argue such a reality have lost their relevance. On the contrary, the need and importance of scientific investigation are becoming critical as the international security environment becomes increasingly dynamic, generating cascading challenges. The speed of change, on the one hand, and the often claimed low level of unpredictability regarding the direction of developments taking place in society today, in any domain and at national and global levels alike, on the other hand, call for the identification and analysis, including the reassessment and reinterpretation, of opportunities and threats that are increasingly seen as existential, profound and global. Global issues that impact the security environment, which is referred to as ‘international, ‘ are being addressed by a wide range of actors, sometimes brought together in public-private dialogue networks, who can offer solutions based on their expertise and understanding of the field. This paper aims to question the role of international relations in promoting and supporting higher education as a distinct entity within an institutionalized effort to draw international academic knowledge into the mechanism of addressing pressing global issues impacting the international security environment. Thus, taking the internationalization of higher education as a starting point, some lines of action are proposed for the promotion of knowledge through a diplomatic approach aimed at enhancing its social aspect in direct relation with the transformations of the international system and the challenges to international security.

The Economic Evolution of the Romanian Defense Market in the Context of the World Crisis (Post-pandemic) and the Imbalance of International Security (Military Conflict in Ukraine)

Abstract The analysis of crisis management shows that any crisis will generate risks and opportunities for certain industrial sectors. The current security crisis overlaps today with other crises (climatic, economic, energy, and medical crises generated by COVID-19). The medical crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic has recorded considerable profits for the pharmaceutical industry and companies in the medical equipment manufacturing industry. (John A. Parnel). The defense market and armaments production industry has been steadily growing at national and international levels due to the imbalance in international security caused by Russia's military conflict. An economical inside perspective is provided due to an internal study case based on the evolution of this industry's key sector. As per the analyzed data, the market demand is currently higher than the production capacity, both at European and national levels. The industry cannot meet the requirements of the defense market. Nonetheless, the turnover of the profile companies experienced significant increases with positive effects on the recorded profit rates. After conducting a thorough evaluation of the domestic defense industry, the solution might be to privatize state-owned companies in the security industry, which may involve merging companies with similar activity profiles. Also, financial incentives, such as tax measures like those granted to personnel working in the IT industry, can help overcome the human resources issue that the Romanian defense industry is currently facing.

Certain Methodological Milestones in Research on Political-Military Crisis Management

Abstract The scientific research on contemporary political-military crises requires the application of a diversified and relevant methodology, which combines interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives and highlights the importance of that framework to understand their dynamics and impact on international security. The objectives of the research include analyzing certain methodological approaches, highlighting their importance in formulating of recommendations for improving intervention strategies. The importance of this analysis is amplified by the need for a better understanding of the dynamics of crises, which threaten the regional stability and influence the global order. Thus, methodological diversity in analyzing contemporary political-military crises is imperative to address and nuance the complexity and uncertainty that characterize the international community. Each method brings a valuable perspective, and combining them in an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach maximizes the potential to develop some effective and sustainable responses to global crises. Such syntheses could serve as a methodological foundation in conducting new studies and formulating recommendations for more cohesive and widely accepted policies, while the use of a diversified methodology enhances the credibility and relevance of the research in the eyes of political decision-makers and other stakeholders.

پرسە نێودەوڵەتییەکان لە ڕوانگەی تیۆری ڕیاڵیزمەوە: پرسی ژینگە وەک نموونە

Different directions of realism theory, as the most prominent theory for studying issues and international relations, are close in several hypotheses and general lines, but when coming to details, they are different. This study examines international questions and environmental issues in particular in terms of these theoretical directions. In general, realistic theories agree on the hypothesis that international issues can be classified into high politics and low politics. But because in today’s world, the dangers and consequences of environmental pollution on international and world security have considerably increased, for this study, main question is that is environment in the perspectives of different directions of realism theory still a minor issue or has its role and position to become a key issue risen, or is it possible to rise? By relying on reliable sources and using each of deductive method, qualitative method and case studies, efforts have been made to investigate and address this scientific question. In order to achieve the goals and giving attention to the cause and the major problem, the study is divided into two main sections, each section includes accurate enquiries. Finally, the study positively proves its hypothesis, which in the perspective of realism theories, issues related to national interest and security are placed at the top of high issues pyramid, while environmental issues are given less importance by the state and international actors. However, at the same time, some differences in the understanding of realism theories are noticed, particularly in defensive realism, which claims that environment should be dealt with as an important subject in some places and stages of time, yet the offensive realism is the most pessimistic one in this aspect.

The Islamic State-Khorasan’s Recent Reorganization and Remaining Threat for Central Asia in 2024

The self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was defeated in 2019 but today there are still some branches of the organization active in various parts of the world. For a long time ISIS functioned as a state (a self-proclaimed caliphate) with its territory, governance, and bureaucracy although it was not recognized on an international level. The main research question is what makes ISIS (as being an unrecognized state) a challenge for international and regional security today. This presentation refers to the first question in the workshop regarding how continuities, changes and/or transformations are expressed in the practice of terrorism. ISIS is not functioning anymore as a state but has autonomous local affiliates around the world. This is also related to the implications of borders, spaces and territorialities on the fight against terrorism. The report looks more specifically at the activities of the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISK or ISKP) in Central Asia and particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Its strategy on a regional and international level comprises interlinked media warfare and kinetic action. The military and political pressures have caused it to restructure or face a more lasting attenuation. Although it is now reorganizing, it still presents a danger in Central Asia. The very recent example is the attack in Iran from January 3. The author provides some future recommendations on how the international community should address the current risks presented by ISK in particular.

Service within the extremely gendered North Atlantic Treaty Organization: civil and military personnel’s approaches to gender equality-focused policies

The article emphasises the challenges in the implementation of gender equality-focused policies in military missions and demonstrates the backlash these policies can create in everyday social interaction in military missions. A qualitative method of thematic analysis was used to study 17 in-depth interviews with former civilian and military personnel in the International Security Assistance Force and Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. The discursive exploratory analysis displayed that normative masculine constructions foster an environment in which women are perceived as: a threat to the unit they are part of; disruptive to male bonding in the unit; an objectified body; and an essential part of the successful mission in Afghanistan. Gender equality-focused policies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization face resistance in implementation because they threaten resources perceived greatly important in the organisation: normative masculine constructions. The military fails in attempts to manage diversity, and the military culture further values and reinforces sameness.

Artificial Intelligence – a Double-Edged Sword. Organized Crime`s AI vs Law Enforcement`s AI

Abstract Organized crime has acquired new values in the context of the geopolitical, social and economic transformations that the states are currently facing, expanding their ramifications at the international level. Conflicts often create opportunities that lead to the increasing of the organized crime, amplifying the threat that criminal groups can pose to domestic security. The heightened dynamics of the international security environment and, in particular, the instability with the potential for contagion manifested in the Eastern neighborhood and in the Middle East, potentiates the risks posed by organized crime. With the increase in technological development, especially based on Artificial Intelligence, organized crime has become one of the world’s most pressing issues, with a large number of countries having been affected. This research deals with the role of digital technologies implemented through cyberspace in prevention, detecting and combating organized crime. In addition, the research found that the rate of illegal activity has increased due to the global accessibility that the Internet has provided, especially AI, posing great risks to the public and increasing the rate of organised crimes. Combating organized crime has become an important political priority for many governments around the world, and any future success in eliminating criminal groups in its various forms will depend on the extent to which governments and relevant organizations are prepared to develop digital technologies based on artificial intelligence and use them to combat and prevent illegal activity.

Termination of Employment Relationship in Uniformed Services in Connection with their Reorganisation or Dissolution–Constitutional Issues

Abstract This article addresses the legal issues arising from the transformation of internal security bodies within the structure of public administration, specifically focusing on how such events impact the service relationship of officers employed in those structures (the so-called ‘uniformed services’). The analysis covers regulations governing the service relationships of officers in the State Protection Office, Government Protection Bureau, and Customs Services in connection with the dissolution of these institutions and the establishment of the Internal Security Agency, the Intelligence Agency, the State Protection Service, and the Customs and Fiscal Service. Theoretical and legal models are identified, and substantive legal provisions are presented to assess their compliance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland.

MAAS - Monitoring as a Service through Payment Gateway

Abstract: This paper describes the creation of a cloud-based Monitoring as a Service (MaaS) platform designed specifically for thorough and safe payment gateway monitoring. Scalability, strong security, and real-time transaction insights are provided by the MaaS project through the use of the ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana). Flexibility in monitoring modules allows for the smooth integration of the ELK Stack for effective analysis and display of vital payment gateway data. An interface that is easy to use enables operators to keep an eye on transactions and spot possible problems. Further integration with internal security and fraud detection tools is made easier by thoroughly described APIs. The goal of this MaaS platform is to improve oversight capabilities for crucial payment gateway operations by providing a consolidated, secure monitoring solution. Future development will involve adding machine learning for anomaly detection and extending data source support to cover other payment channels.

The Need for Cybersecurity in Automotive Industry

This research paper analyzes the importance of cybersecurity in the automotive industry and explains how cybersecurity threats impact the modern world of connected, autonomous, and electrical vehicles. Furthermore, this paper covers in-depth research into the different types of automotive cyber threats such as physical, sensor, software, and network attacks on a vehicle, and various methods to prevent these threats from happening in real-world scenarios. The research paper also helps the reader to gain a broader understanding of cybersecurity in the automotive world. The methodology of this research involved analyzing and collecting information through various external websites, articles, and research papers. Information was collected on automotive cybersecurity incidents from news articles and international cyber security conference presentations. Based on this evidence from various external sources, the research problem was supported by factual data. This paper also talks about all the various solutions to cybersecurity threats in depth such as authentication and encryption, malware detection, software analysis, VPNs (Virtual Private Network), and cryptography. This paper also provides information about some of the new regulations and standards that are currently adopted in the automotive industry. With the rapid change in automotive technology, it is important to be aware that cars can have up to 150 ECUs (Electronic Control Unit) and about 300 million lines of code in near future which could expose more vulnerabilities. (2020, McKinsey & Company). To meet the challenge of these automotive cyber security threats, it is important that awareness should be created among the product engineers and researchers working on future automobiles. This paper attempts at exploring the challenges with automotive cyber security and creating this awareness.

현대 전쟁과 국제 안보 환경에서의 우주 기술의 역할과 전략적 중요성

현대 전쟁과 국제 안보 환경에서의 우주 기술의 역할과 전략적 중요성

Utility of Scenarios in Understanding Public Procurements Conducted in Theatres of Operations

Currently, operational logistics is a significant challenge: to resupply Romanian forces located in various theatres around the world. Involvement in an international mission is contingent not solely on the mission’s nature or the structures of the assumed forces but also on the requisites and logistical capabilities for supplying goods and services within the designated area. The international security environment is challenging. Political tension, military conflicts and economic problems have intensified security concerns. In this context, organizing the procurement processes efficiently is a major preoccupation for specialists. Moreover, the legal framework for public procurement opens up room for different issues. Given the multinational context and specific procurement regulations, the execution of procurements within operational theatres is exposed to distinct challenges compared to those encountered in the national territory. In this complex and ambiguous environment, understanding the legal means of addressing challenges in the procurement field is desirable. Moreover, considering the importance of procuring goods and services to achieve the mission goal, a proficient procurement specialist is a crucial asset. In this regard, the main objective of this study is to demonstrate that Scenario-Based Learning could be transformed into a useful tool for preparing future specialists in procurement.

Utilitatea metodei scenariului în înțelegerea achizițiilor publice derulate în teatrele de operații

Currently, operational logistics is a significant challenge: to resupply Romanian forces located in various theatres around the world. Involvement in an international mission is contingent not solely on the mission’s nature or the structures of the assumed forces but also on the requisites and logistical capabilities for supplying goods and services within the designated area. The international security environment is challenging. Political tension, military conflicts and economic problems have intensified security concerns. In this context, organizing the procurement processes efficiently is a major preoccupation for specialists. Moreover, the legal framework for public procurement opens up room for different issues. Given the multinational context and specific procurement regulations, the execution of procurements within operational theatres is exposed to distinct challenges compared to those encountered in the national territory. In this complex and ambiguous environment, understanding the legal means of addressing challenges in the procurement field is desirable. Moreover, considering the importance of procuring goods and services to achieve the mission goal, a proficient procurement specialist is a crucial asset. In this regard, the main objective of this study is to demonstrate that Scenario-Based Learning could be transformed into a useful tool for preparing future specialists in procurement.

Casting Ambiguity: Securitization of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena in the United States

This study examines the evolving securitization of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) in the United States (U.S.), utilizing the Copenhagen School’s theory to illustrate a significant shift in the Pentagon’s discourse, moving from outright dismissal to a nuanced acknowledgment of UAPs. By engaging with and expanding upon the UFO taboo discussions, this research sheds light on the contemporary debates on the role of materiality in securitization processes. The paper argues that the complexity of UAP securitization necessitates a multidisciplinary approach that integrates security, scientific inquiry, and global cooperation which will consequently provide a multidimensional understanding of UAPs within national and international security frameworks.

Ben BUCHANAN, The Hacker and the State: Cyber Attacks and the New Normal of Geopolitics (Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2020)

In “Hacker and the State: Cyber Attacks and the New Normal of Geopolitics,” a comprehensive work spanning three chapters, Ben Buchanan undertakes a significant exploration of the transformative effect that hackers have had on global affairs over the past two decades. Positioned at the intersection of cyberspace and international relations, Buchanan employs the established concepts of “signaling and shaping” from the field of International Relations (IR), which refer to the tactics and activities that governments or other players use to convey their intentions, sway public opinion, and mold geopolitical outcomes. In IR, signaling refers to deliberate acts or signals taken by states or other actors to tell others about their intentions or capacities, affecting perceptions and forming expectations in the process. Contrarily, shaping describes intentional attempts to alter the dynamics, norms, or structure of the international system to bring about outcomes that support one’s strategic goals or interests. For example, in the field of IR, nuclear capabilities are frequently analyzed as signaling mechanisms due to their potential for catastrophic destruction. Similarly, contemporary scholarship suggests that cyber capabilities have become increasingly instrumental for signaling purposes, reflecting the evolving dynamics of international security and diplomacy.

The Weight of History After October 7 and the Gaza War: Shaping a New Future

Abstract The trauma of the October 7 massacre for Israelis and the catastrophe that Gazans have experienced in the subsequent war mark a new stage in the Palestinian–Israeli conflict. While October 7 and indeed the Israeli response are exceptional, we cannot overcome their consequences without addressing the root of the conflict. Calls for an immediate ceasefire are understandable but fall into the trap of seeing the solution as being a military decision. This echoes to the attitude of the current Israeli government which poses the response to October 7 as a military one. A new international political initiative is required to change the atmosphere by setting the goal of resolving the conflict on the basis of self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians. That needs to inform the approach we adopt to ending the current conflict by replacing Hamas and Israel in Gaza with an international security mechanism.