Defense Management Research Articles

Wave Dissipation Across Intertidal Surfaces in the Wash Tidal Inlet, Eastern England

Despite the recognition that intertidal surfaces play an important role in dissipating wave height and energy, few previous field measurements have been undertaken to directly quantify this effect. This paper presents the results from a one year data collection campaign in the macrotidal Wash tidal inlet, eastern England, during which wave measurements were taken at lower, mid and upper recording stations along three different shore-perpendicular intertidal transects. It has been found that the intertidal environment of The Wash is effective in dissipating wave height by, on average, 83% and in dissipating wave energy by, on average, 91% with respect to the incident wave conditions. Based upon the results from this study, it is recommended that flood defence management practice in The Wash moves away from focusing on the defence of a structural line towards the management of a defence zone, comprising both natural and structural elements.

Establishing the linkages between structural engineering and risk management

A structural engineering background provides an excellent platform for undertaking a wide range of risk management activities. One of the most valuable and unique skill elements is the ability to visualise damage impacts resulting from earthquake and other natural and man-made hazards.
 This paper explores the linkages between structural engineering and risk management. The many activity strands of structural engineering are expressed in terms of the fundamental steps in the risk management process of risk context, risk identification, risk assessment, risk treatment and risk communication. It is concluded that the linkages between the disciplines are more direct than is often appreciated by many structural engineers.
 The importance of professional engineers understanding the wider context of their activities is highlighted. This includes awareness of recent legislation beyond the customary building regulatory frameworks, with particular reference to the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Act 2002. One of the changes brought about by this Act is to place greater emphasis on the consequences of hazard events on infrastructure and communities. For engineers, this involves moving beyond identifying the impacts of an event into the area of addressing the community consequences.
 Engineers play a key role in risk communication in a variety of different situations. The need for engineers to be proactive advocates to asset owners and operators for a more holistic approach to risk management is emphasised.

Drought‐induced spikelet sterility is associated with an inefficient antioxidant defence in rice panicles

Water stress‐induced spikelet sterility limits rice production under upland conditions. The causes of spikelet sterility under drought stress are poorly understood. In this study the role of antioxidant defence management in drought‐induced spikelet sterility was investigated in two rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes differing in drought resistance. Drought‐resistant N22 genotype showed less water stress‐induced spikelet sterility when compared to the susceptible N118 genotype under upland conditions. The N22 panicles maintained higher RWC and turgor potential and lower H2O2 levels across the developmental stages under water stress than that of N118 panicles. Drought‐induced enhancement in superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) activity coupled with higher ascorbate (AsA), glutathione (GSH) content and enhanced ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) activities resulted in lower H2O2 levels in N22 panicles. In contrast, insufficient enhancement in SOD, APX and GR activities resulted in relatively higher H2O2 levels under water stress in N118 panicles. The N22 panicles exhibited a higher number of SOD and APX isozymes in comparison with N118 panicles that might provide better reactive oxygen species scavenging. Hence it is concluded that well‐equipped antioxidant defence plays an important role in minimizing water stress‐induced spikelet sterility in upland rice.

Open source intelligence

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsStevyn GibsonStevyn Gibson is currently undertaking PhD research into ‘OSINT and the National Intelligence Machinery’ at the Department of Defence Management and Security Analysis, Royal Military College of Science, Cranfield University. This article was awarded First Prize in the RUSI Trench Gascoigne Prize Essay Competition 2003

India's National Security Council: Stuck in the Cradle?

In 1999, India constituted its National Security Council (NSC) to fill a widely felt vacuum in the country's higher defence management. It was reasoned that having become a de facto nuclear power, India could no longer afford to ignore vital issues affecting its security. India's small but articulate security community also demanded the establishment of the NSC in response to criticism that the country lacked long-term security perspective and planning. However, even a cursory look at the organizational structure and functions of the NSC will expose so many shortcomings that it can rightly be questioned whether sufficient thought was given to such basic issues as the kind of national security council the country needed and how such a body could be integrated into India's parliamentary system. On the whole, existing institutions were either slightly modified or simply renamed as NSC institutions. Structurally, the NSC is unlikely to be effective in discharging its mandated functions: formulating long-term strategic policy and promoting `integrated thinking' in national security affairs. On the other hand, the present ineffective NSC is better than an independent and overarching body that might upset the balance among institutions concerned with national security within India's parliamentary democracy.

Lessons Learned: Obtaining Value from Federal Asset Sales

If the government decides to sell assets, how can it obtain full value? Four case studies provide valuable lessons: (1) sale of the Elk Hills oil field by the U.S. Department of Energy, (2) sales of loans and property by the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) after the savings and loan debacle, (3) loan asset sales by the Small Business Administration (SBA), and (4) excess property sales by the Defense Reutilization and Management Service (DRMS). The federal government should create an office to assist agencies that seek to develop effective asset sales programs.

DEFENCE SECTOR TRANSFORMATION

Sub-Saharan Africa is a region facing many problems and challenges. Many of the countries in the region are experiencing internal conflicts and others are involved in processes of peace negotiations and post-conflict peace building. All these countries face the challenge of defence sector transformation in order to align their post-conflict defence departments and military forces with the demands of democratic societies. This is more than a demand for a reduction in defence spending and requires a fundamental change in defence policies, management and practises. There are, however, lessons to be learnt from other similar experiences in the region. This article examines some of those lessons and presents a generic model for defence sector transformation in sub-Saharan Africa.

Transparency in Defence Resource Management - Problems and Solutions

After the start of democratic reforms and with the transition to market economy, the understanding of transparency has changed in Bulgarian society. During the communist regime the defence budget was classified; access to this information was strongly restricted. Now the public is more mature and has acquired the capability to ask tough questions, to search for answers from the leadership and to discuss defence management problems openly. There is a demand for accurate and accessible information on crucial issues and for wide debate in society, and for more responsibility about resources to be taken by every interested organisation. For example, there is a simple question – how can we measure the cost of one battalion and compare it with the social cost of a health care or medical service.

Fish and fisheries of the tidal Thames: management of the modern resource, research aims and future pressures

In recent decades, following the cleanup in the 1960s, the Thames Estuary has become a major nursery ground for economic and conservation species, and has seen the development of substantial commercial and recreational fisheries. The Environment Agency has both sea fisheries and freshwater fisheries statutory powers in the estuary. A unique and focussed survey programme has been developed to inform management policies. A Fisheries Management Action Plan has been developed to promote integrated salmonid, eel Anguilla anguilla and sea fisheries management, promote nurseries, sustainable exploitation and habitat protection and enhancement. Data are used to influence water quality, water resources and flood defence management regimes and in the planning field to influence development proposals. Consensus and collaboration have been built through the Thames Estuary Partnership. Research aims identified through the Thames Estuary Research Forum are described together with future pressures on key species. The survey rationales being developed will contribute to new standard sampling strategies and classification scheme to meet the requirements of the E.U. Water Framework Directive.

Fish and fisheries of the tidal Thames: management of the modern resource, research aims and future pressures

In recent decades, following the cleanup in the 1960s, the Thames Estuary has become a major nursery ground for economic and conservation species, and has seen the development of substantial commercial and recreational fisheries. The Environment Agency has both sea fisheries and freshwater fisheries statutory powers in the estuary. A unique and focussed survey programme has been developed to inform management policies. A Fisheries Management Action Plan has been developed to promote integrated salmonid, eel Anguilla anguilla and sea fisheries management, promote nurseries, sustainable exploitation and habitat protection and enhancement. Data are used to influence water quality, water resources and flood defence management regimes and in the planning field to influence development proposals. Consensus and collaboration have been built through the Thames Estuary Partnership. Research aims identified through the Thames Estuary Research Forum are described together with future pressures on key species. The survey rationales being developed will contribute to new standard sampling strategies and classification scheme to meet the requirements of the E.U. Water Framework Directive.

Domestic constraints in India's defence policy‐making

The management of defence in India's national security system has acquired increasing importance because of the uncertainty of the emerging international security system, and continuity and multiplicity of domestic constraints. Strategic decisions and policies depend a great deal on the nature of the domestic variables. Policy‐makers take decisions within the limitations of the domestic constraints after assessing the external threats, challenges and opportunities; hence the importance of understanding the domestic context of India's defence policy‐making. The article aims at conceptualizing and analysing the problem of domestic constraints in India's defence policy‐making, and highlights continuity and change in these constraints. India's policy‐makers’ predicament has increased due to the demands of strategic decisions, while domestic constraints have continued without a significant change. Moreover, the multiplicity of these constraining factors indicates the primacy of domestic variables in India's defence policy formation. Transformation of domestic constraints is fundamental to imparting credibility to India's strategic capabilities, correcting the strategic imbalance in Asia, and maximizing its politico‐strategic goals in ‘extended’ South Asia.

No Place for a Civilian?: Russian Defense Management from Yeltsin to Putin

Under the leadership of Presidents Yeltsin and Putin the authorities in the Kremlin have well understood that the armed forces need to be tightly controlled, but they have shown a consistent preference for control from the top with minimal societal intervention or influence. The army is subordinate to a civilian head of state, yet it is also largely free from civilian interference in the way it is managed. There are few civilian decision-makers of any consequence in the Ministry of Defense. At the same time, the military has deeply penetrated the various parliamentary and governmental bodies that are meant to provide civilian oversight of defense policy and expenditure. This calls into question the prospects of democratic consolidation in Russia.

Earthquake hazard and risk assessment study for the Canterbury region, South Island, New Zealand

In recognition of the earthquake threat to Canterbury, and its statutory responsibilities, Environment Canterbury initiated a comprehensive, staged multi-year earthquake hazard and risk assessment study programme in 1997. In this paper the general framework and philosophy behind Environment Canterbury's Earthquake Hazard and Risk Assessment Programme is outlined. The results of the stage 1A earthquake source characterisation, and stage 1B probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for the Canterbury region are presented in companion papers in this volume. The programme participants have ongoing earthquake hazard research projects, and also are involved as practitioners in land-use planning and development of relevance to the Canterbury region. The coordinated programme is primarily designed to facilitate the integration of a diverse range of independent studies, so making relevant earthquake hazard and risk information readily available to a wide range of end-users, including other professionals (engineers and scientists), planners, civil defence and emergency management staff, utility operators, and developers. In addition the programme provides up to date, relevant information for public education and awareness purposes. The first stage of the programme has been completed, and includes identification and characterisation of earthquake sources, probabilistic hazard assessment, and formulation of earthquake scenarios. The long-term staged study programme will address the earthquake hazard, the risks posed, possible mitigation options and mitigation implementation methods available.

Indian army 2020: A vision statement on strategy and capability

This article takes note of India's relative lack of strategic thinking and then of its complex security environment. Some futuristic assertions then set the stage for the main text to follow. Vision statements reflect upon a set of issues ranging from the necessity of an informed debate on matters military, and the structures of higher defence management, to the tricky issue of a more proactive stance and of ‘downsizing’ the army. The write‐up then goes on to state some of the desired capabilities of the army in the years ahead. In the absence of any national defence policy, or any tri‐Service strategy paper, the evolution and maturing of the military strategy have suffered. This write‐up would have served its purpose if it could provide a reference point for a more deliberate discussion.

Public‐private partnerships and the defence industry

The British Government is driven by the concept of value for money and is seeking ways in which to fund projects in the public sector. In the defence sector, this is resulting in the formation of public‐private partnerships and a close working relationship between the Government and defence companies. As well as placing the UK’s defence capability within the context of national security, it also needs to be placed within the context of the Government’s foreign policy which is focused on international conflict prevention. The UK Government remains committed to encouraging international collaboration as this should witness technology transfer from the defence sector to the civil sector. Makes reference to nine factors which underlie collaboration in the defence sector and draws on the expertise of defence sector experts who provide insights into the defence industry. Refers to a postal survey which was undertaken in 1999 in order to establish which areas of defence management would receive increased attention in both the short term and the long term. Finally, highlights the Executive Intelligence Alliance Policy and Strategy (EIAPS) Charter which can be used by defence company personnel as a framework to develop long‐term working relationships with other defence companies, government departments and universities.

Management of defence: Towards an integrated and joint vision

The article deals with the long‐standing requirement for restructuring the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Supremacy of civil over military authority in its application to the Indian context has come to mean bureaucratic prevalence at the uppermost level in virtually all defence related decision‐making. This antiquated mechanism is in need of replacement by another where uniformed personnel have a greater say as participants in an integrated MoD. The Arun Singh Committee recommendations on the issue have remained unimplemented for over a decade. India remains one of the very few democratic countries where generalists hold sway over generals and all attempts to change the system are repeatedly thwarted. The time is perhaps ripe when a Joint Chiefs of Staff, or some other alternative system such as exist in other major democracies was instituted. The operational, financial and manpower benefits are too many to ignore this demand any further.

The value of hydrometric information in water resources management and flood control

AbstractHydrometric information is fundamental to the planning, operation and management of water resources and flood defence. The data network is greatly valued by those who use it, yet assignment of a monetary or economic value is problematic. Data managers are often frustrated by the need to continue to justify a network. The paper focuses on the uses of data within the Environment Agency of the UK, explores the difficulties in assigning a value to the data and attempts to review the value ascribed to such data by drawing on some UK and wider examples. Copyright © 2000 Royal Meteorological Society

Higher defence management of India: A case for the chief of Defence staff

(2000). Higher defence management of India: A case for the chief of Defence staff. Strategic Analysis: Vol. 24, No. 6, pp. 1029-1038.

NATO beyond 2000: A new flashpoint for European security

The last decade of the twentieth century witnessed radical and potentially constructive adaptation of NATO. Although retaining its core function of collective defence and serving as the transatlantic security forum for consultation and co‐operation, the Alliance pursued new directions in support of wider stability in Europe through enlargement to its east, forging partnerships with former adversaries, and conducting peace enforcement operations outside the treaty area. But the transformation of NATO remains a work in progress. This article discusses three key questions: the nature of peace support operations, the capability to provide for both collective defence and crisis management, and managing further Alliance enlargement while maintaining a working relationship with Russia.

Life cycle costs for decision support ‐ a study of the various life cycle costs used at different levels of defence policy and management*

Debates on many aspects of defence economics ‐ on the scale of defence expenditure, on the allocation of that expenditure to various military capabilities, and on the selection of equipment offering the best value for money ‐ are bedevilled by misunderstandings and misconceptions about the costs of defence equipment. This paper seeks to improve understanding of defence equipment costs by defining a hierarchy of defence equipment within which the direct and indirect life cycle costs of defence equipment may be allocated at different levels. Having reviewed the direct and indirect components of the life cycle cost, this paper then shows how different costing studies for different purposes require different approaches to life cycle costing, and that there is no unique life cycle cost which can be assigned to one particular item of defence equipment. There is instead a range oflife cycle costs, each of which is appropriate for a particular study, and it is important that a quoted cost of an item of defence equipment should be used only in the pertinent circumstances. The paper is written from a UK perspective and accordingly uses British nomenclature, but its principles should be relevant to defence cost studies in other nations.