Security Matters Research Articles

Justifying authoritarian practices: epistemic governance in two opposite interventionist policies on women’s attire in Iran’s pre- and post-revolution 1979

ABSTRACT How do authoritarian actors seek to justify their interventionist gendered policies? The study bridges the authoritarian governmentality scholarship with Epistemic Governance theory to disclose epistemic politics in interventionist policymaking. It gathers textual data from political leaders and influential actors to investigate the epistemic practices around the justifications of two culture-shaping policies on Iranian women’s attire: the ‘unveiling’ policy banning all women’s head covers in the 1930s and the ‘mandatory veiling’ laws in the 1980s. Foucauldian discourse analysis as elaborated in Epistemic Governance analytic is applied to scrutinise how women’s attires were problematised in both cases and how exclusionary measures were justified. The findings reveal that in the 1930s, veiling was represented as the dangerous embodied emblem of backwardness that must be excluded in the urgent context of national progress. In contrast, unveiling, as the marker of cultural colonialism, was prohibited in the context of the necessity to protect the counter-hegemonic national values in the 1980s. These findings highlight recontextualisation practices turning women’s attire into a matter of national security that justify pastoral power for governmental interventions. The study hence warns against (in-)security politics in authoritarian governance whereby any epistemic field is depoliticised, and public opinion is conducted towards interventionist policies.

"Martyrs do not die": Politics and security in Kurdish insurgents' funerals.

Insurgents' funerals play a significant role in the conflict between Turkey and the Kurdish insurgent group PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) for both parties. This article examines the dual features of the insurgents' funerals. While the Kurdish population seeks to reintegrate the dead into larger narratives of the "Kurdish liberation movement" and use funerals as a site for mobilization, the regime portrays the social and political lives of the dead manifested in the funerals as a matter of security and integrates them into larger security discourses. Kurdish mayors and deputies were dismissed from office and imprisoned for organizing and attending these funerals, and even for publicly displaying grief. In this article, I demonstrate how the social and political life of the dead that survives the biological death can still remain in the language and practices of security, and argue that securitization of funerals have a broader implication of leaving no space for the Kurdish Question to exist except for the realm of security.

THE GEOPOLITICAL AWAKENING OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

The article analyses the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the geopolitical transformation of the European Union (EU). It examines the key changes in the EU's security, energy and international relations strategy, as well as the development of its strategic autonomy and role in supporting Ukraine. The study is based on the analysis of scientific sources and political articles related to the EU's foreign policy and security mechanisms. A comparative analysis of the EU's decisions on sanctions, energy security and military assistance to Ukraine is used. Expert assessments of the geopolitical situation and economic consequences of the war are also taken into account. The article contributes to understanding the role of the Russian-Ukrainian war as a catalyst for the EU's political and strategic awakening. In particular, it highlights the development of the EU's strategic autonomy in response to its energy dependence on Russia and the growth of defence cooperation between member states. The author also explores how the war has contributed to the consolidation of European identity and the strengthening of the desire for global leadership in the face of current international challenges. The author notes that the Russian-Ukrainian war has accelerated changes in the EU's approach to foreign and security policy. The EU has strengthened its strategic autonomy, increased economic sanctions against Russia and mobilised resources to support Ukraine. At the same time, the war has shown the need to develop energy resources independent of external suppliers and to increase the EU's internal defence capabilities. Ukraine's integration into the European space has become an important strategic direction of the EU's policy. An important aspect has been the strengthening of European defence cooperation, which demonstrates the EU's desire for greater independence in security matters. Ukraine's integration into the European space is becoming one of the key directions of the EU's foreign policy, which may accelerate the process of Ukraine's accession to the Union in the future. The author also draws attention to the fact that the issue of strengthening the EU's defence capabilities affects the problem of the international security system, which today, as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war, is undergoing the greatest transformations since the Second World War.

A Stacking Ensemble Based on Lexicon and Machine Learning Methods for the Sentiment Analysis of Tweets

Sentiment is employed in various fields, such as collecting web-based opinions for the formulation of governmental policies, measuring employee and customer satisfaction levels in business organizations, and measuring the sentiment of the public in political and security matters. The field has recently faced new challenges since algorithms must operate with highly unstructured sentiment data from social media. In this study, the authors present a new stacking ensemble method that combines the lexicon-based approach with machine learning algorithms to improve the sentiment analysis of tweets. Due to the complexity of the text with very ill-defined syntactic and grammatical patterns, using lexicon-based techniques to extract sentiment from the content is proposed. On the same note, the contextual and nuanced aspects of sentiment are inferred through machine learning algorithms. A sophisticated bat algorithm that uses an Elman network as a meta-classifier is then employed to classify the extracted features accurately. Substantial evidence from three datasets that are readily available for public analysis re-affirms the improvements this innovative approach brings to sentiment classification.

Harnessing the Link between Climate Change and Traditional Food Preservation Methods: Implications for Global Food Security and Public Health

Climate change is a global issue, which impacts the different geographical zones in different levels. It is also linked to numerous human health issues, which are a concern to human health. The impact of climate change on traditional methods of food preservation in Nigeria and the consequences for food security and health are examined in this research. Information from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) show that average temperatures are increasing and rainfall is decreasing, which are effects of climate change that affect agriculture, water resources, and traditional food preservation methods that are detrimental to public health.Traditional food preservation methods are critical for understanding the link between climate change and food security.This paper uses a case study of Nigeria to examine the effects of climate change on traditional food preservation practices and public health. The research focuses on the shifts in the conventional preservation techniques, the impact of these shifts on nutrition, and policy interventions for enhancing sustainable preservation of food. Climate change indicators such as temperature and rainfall were used as surrogates for climate change, food insecurity such as undernourishment rates were used for food security and nutritional health outcomes such as child stunting and micronutrient malnutrition. The study shows that climate change has a negative effect on food security since it reduces crop yields and enhances post-harvest losses. Sun-drying and smoking are the common preservation techniques that are now less efficient because of high humidity and unpredictable weather. As such, people are experiencing increased incidences of food wastage, nutritional imbalance, and food borne diseases especially with those people in rural regions. Furthermore, the study confirms the relationship between climate change and food insecurity, which has a negative impact on the health of pregnant women and children, especially under five years, and high under-five mortality despite a decrease in child mortality in the last decade.The results provide important regional information relevant to the entire Sub-Saharan Africa and useful to the international community in matters of climate change, food security and health. This study calls for the use of innovation that combines the conventional and contemporary methods of food preservation in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change on food security systems. Furthermore, it underlines the need for the policy interventions that may prevent food borne illness and other diseases. These insights are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) 2, 3, and 13, namely; Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, and Climate Action, respectively.This research addresses a significant gap in the literature by linking climate change effects with food preservation practices and offering recommendations for improving food system vulnerability to climate change. It provides a clear picture of the prospects and constraints of mitigating climate change impacts on food insecurity and enhancing food security and health in the world.

Russian diplomacy and the struggle around transportation corridors through the Middle East: plans and realities

The article is devoted to the issues of Russia's participation in the struggle for the passage of transport corridors from Europe to Asia through the Middle East. Recently, as part of the geopolitical struggle to move away from a unipolar to a multipolar world, we are increasingly talking about rapidly growing competition for access to goods, raw materials, energy resources and transport logistics, which affect the current global rivalry for the redistribution of the world. It is already becoming increasingly clear that whoever controls international routes controls international security in many ways. Corridors are not only world trade, but also the movement of fl eets, the transfer of troops and military equipment, and communication between different regions of the world. Passages through straits such as Bab el-Mandeb, Hormuz, and Malacca are a matter of international security. Blocking them can lead to armed conflicts on a global scale. For the Middle East, these are primarily confl icts over the routes of oil and gas delivery to Europe from the Persian Gulf and the Caucasus and around the creation of short transport corridors from Europe to Asia bypassing the Suez Canal and Africa. If the issue of laying a gas pipeline from Qatar to the EU through the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East and from the Caucasus and Central Asia through Turkey to the EU was one of the reasons for the war in Syria, then the issue of creating a transport corridor from India to Europe through Arabia and Israel largely provoked the conflict in the Gaza Strip. And Russia is among the most active participants in this struggle for control of international transport corridors from Europe to Asia, trying to do so so as not to stay away from them.

Actions by administrative authorities justified by a state of higher necessity

This article deals with the actions of the administrative proceeding authorities justified by a state of higher necessity. In Poland, the state of higher necessity does not constitute a title for the encroachment of public administration bodies on the rights and obligations of persons without a legal basis. In terms of its essence, the state of force majeure under the Administrative Procedure Code is not uniformly understood. It may be treated narrowly or broadly. However, regardless of its treatment, it conditions the application of special and very often inherently exceptional solutions. This includes issuing decisions with the application of special regulations in matters of peace, security and public order, and sometimes in situations dictated by an even differently understood state of higher necessity. This article deals with the actions of the administrative proceeding authorities justified by a state of higher necessity. In Poland, the state of higher necessity does not constitute a title for the encroachment of public administration bodies on the rights and obligations of persons without a legal basis. In terms of its essence, the state of force majeure under the Administrative Procedure Code is not uniformly understood. It may be treated narrowly or broadly. However, regardless of its treatment, it conditions the application of special and very often inherently exceptional solutions. This includes issuing decisions with the application of special regulations in matters of peace, security and public order, and sometimes in situations dictated by an even differently understood state of higher necessity.

Evaluation of the impact of security perception on the structural changes of MSEs through system dynamics

Micro and Small businesses (MSEs) face several challenges to survive in the market, some of these challenges are related to security matters which are the subject of this article. In Mexico MSEs are victims of crimes such as extortion, theft, and assaults, among others; this situation leads them to spend their economic resources to make structural changes to be able to continue with their commercial activities. This article is based on a survey conducted on 370 MSEs in the central region of the state of Veracruz in Mexico; the present study aims to evaluate the impact of structural changes made by businesspeople in their perception of business security. In this way, the decision-making process of MSEs facing insecurity is statistically analyzed through a simulation model considering the system dynamics methodology. To evaluate this phenomenon, we have identified four main subsystems: 1) Crime, 2) Security Perception, 3) Structural Changes, and 4) Government Policy Changes; at the same time three hypothetical scenarios were simulated: 1) Reduction in crimes committed against MSEs, 2) Government changes in public infrastructure, and 3) the combination of the previous two. The approach allows us to identify that companies make structural changes based on the events around them, rather than on the crimes that they suffer, making abrupt or precipitated decisions. Therefore, we have identified that it is not only necessary to eliminate crimes, but also to work with government strategies that allow MSEs owners and staff to improve their perception of security. This simulation model can be replicated to evaluate the implementation of security policies in other regions with high insecurity rates.

The oleaginous voice: Auto-Tune, linear predictive coding, and the security-petroleum complex

ABSTRACT In the twentieth century, exploration geophysics and digital vocal processing each underwent key technical transformations based on formally similar signal processing techniques derived from prior work in statistics and information theory. Engineers at Texas Instruments (TI) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed deconvolution filtering as a way to model geological strata from seismograph recordings in order to facilitate oil exploration. Meanwhile, engineers at Bell Laboratories and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) used similar techniques to digitally encode and transmit speech signals more efficiently – a method known as linear predictive coding (LPC). These cognate approaches to modeling geophysical and vocal signals provided a practical basis for subsequent forays by oil industry figures into the world of digital audio. Tracing the histories of four technologies – LPC secure voice transmission terminals, the TI Speak & Spell educational toy, automatic speech recognition, and the vocal pitch correction software Auto-Tune – I analyze the role of security interests in facilitating spillovers between technologies of oil and the voice. I argue that, by approaching both geophysical and vocal signals as matters of national security, the United States’ defense and intelligence services furnished the bulk of socio-economic connective tissue between petroleum geophysics and vocal processing research.

DECENTRALIZED PLATFORM FOR FINANCING CHARITY PROJECTS

The rapid development of new technologies, together with the emergence of new military conflicts and humanitarian crises, creates the need for quick response and the introduction of new methods of effective assistance to the affected population and the restoration of damaged territories. Decentralized charity became one of these methods of assistance. To implement the task, the latest technologies were used, which combine maximum transparency and complete security when forming and working with charitable payments. The main technologies that were used: blockchain and smart contracts on it, protocols of liquidity pools and profitable farming, as well as web development technologies for creating a web application. The research analyzed existing approaches, methods of software solutions for financing decentralized charity; developed and improved the mathematical model and architecture of the software application. A system of smart contracts was created using additional administrative modules, and on its basis, a decentralized charitable platform for assistance to Ukraine was implemented in the form of a web application. Such a decentralized system can be freely used and implemented nowadays to finance the most necessary charitable projects of our country with crypto-assets in various spheres: humanitarian, social or in matters of security and weapons.

Syria in Turkey-US Relations: Security, Terror and Strategic Dilemmas

Turkey-US relations have historically been influenced by periodic developments, sometimes becoming strong or fragile. In this context, the relations between Turkey and the US have been deeply affected by the presence of the PKK/PYD/YPG in northern Syria and the US support for these groups. Turkey considers the PYD/YPG as an extension of the PKK and perceives it as a direct threat to its national security. On the other hand, the US supports this group by renaming it the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and describing it as the most effective ground force against DAESH. This situation has damaged the relationship between the two NATO allies, leading to diplomatic crises and regional strategic misalignments. Turkey’s cross-border operations and the US support for the PYD/YPG are the most significant points of tension overshadowing the common interests of the two countries. Despite these challenges, Turkey and the US have the potential to protect their common interests in counter-terrorism and regional security matters. This study analyzes how Turkey’s policies in Syria have been shaped by the US support for the PYD/YPG and how the tensions in this context have affected the strategic goals of both countries. Turkey’s national security strategies and its cooperation dynamics with the US can be reshaped through diplomatic negotiations and strategic cooperation mechanisms. In this framework, the advancement of relations on a more constructive basis will be possible if both sides act with mutual understanding and flexibility.

Readiness towards fintech adoption among micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia

Purpose People start to acknowledge, accept and adopt fintech applications due to its flexibilities, compatibility, ease to use, security and usefulness. A growing body of research reveals a positive perception of micro-enterprises towards fintech instruments. Looking at the potential of the fintech platforms and tools in Malaysia, the purpose of this study is to look at the readiness of micro-entrepreneurs towards using it as a medium in generating more income and profit for their business. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a quantitative approach with 200 questionnaires distributed to micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia. IBM SPSS was used to perform a preliminary analysis of the data (descriptive analysis), then partial least squares-structural equation modelling SmartPLS is used to test the hypothesised relationships. Findings This study found perceived ease of use H1 (β = 0.523, p < 0.01) and trust H4 (β = 0.211, p < 0.10) play an important role in readiness to adopt fintech. Whereas, security H3 (β = 0.068) and perceived usefulness, H2 (β = 0.120) are insignificant (rejected). Practical implications This study provides evidence on the factors that contribute most towards the inclination to use fintech application among micro-entrepreneurs. In fact, tightening the policy regarding the security matter could enhance the readiness of micro-entrepreneurs to use fintech application. Originality/value This study investigates factors that influence the readiness of micro-entrepreneurs to adopt fintech application, which were not considered by previous studies.

Pak-France Relations During 21st Century: Strategic Alliances and Bilateral Cooperation

This research aims to critically analyse the bilateral relations between France and Pakistan during the 21st century. It emphasizes political, economic, social, cultural and military relationships between the two countries. Its purposes are to demonstrate the political ideologies and foreign policy objectives that influence Pakistan-France relations, to examine the nature of economic ties between Pakistan and France, to analyse the patterns of trade and investment that changed over time, to evaluate the Pakistan-France collaboration on military and security matters, and other key areas of cooperation, and to elucidate Pakistan-France political relations, the influence of pressure groups(political and religious) on their relationship, and to imposing allegations on France as a result of religious disparity in Pakistan. This study concludes that Pakistan and France are having high time collaborations in various sectors with a particular focus on working together in the fields of nuclear technology, defence cooperation, and resolving global security issues.

Sustainable Business Practices through IoT: Energy Efficiency and Cost Reductions

This is the age of industrial transformation that is being driven by the Internet of Things (IoT). It offers very unique chance to maximize productivity excellence and foster economic expansion while having the opportunity to meet environmental concerns. This comprehensive study looks into not only the IoT contribution to energy efficiency and cost reduction but also potential use in areas of administrative operations with the same objective of energy efficiency and cost reduction. With the aid of rigorous mixed methods research that brings together qualitative data from multiple industries, against the backdrop of carefully selected case studies showing the actual benefits of IoT installations, the paper seeks to give a clear picture of the practical advantages of IoT-powered organizations. The research presents information regarding how IoT technologies function to optimize energy applications, enhance processes, and cut down waste through their ability to collect data in real-time and manage systems. Besides, it will analyze the problems companies may run into while adding IoT solutions, such as technological complexity, initial expenditure, and security matters. On the other hand, the research also designs the tactical moves that the companies can opt for as an alternative to completely eradicate these barriers and successfully deploy the IoT technology. Through the systematic study of the role of the Internet of Things on green business practices policymakers, business leaders, and technologists will gain valuable insights which can be applied in whatever levels they are working from. This policy is based on a systematic approach to IoT adoption, which, inter alia, suggests the organization of the project, statistical analysis, and improvement of the present situation to get the best economic and environmental state of affairs. This will further the comprehension of the power of IoT technology in both developing sustainability and increasing profitability, all indications that it is not just a technological advantage but rather a basic instrument for the future sustainability of business practices.

Grasping the opportunity for small state leadership: Estonia’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reinforced Estonia’s long-held worldview and strategic posture rather than bringing about any principled foreign policy change. There was a remarkable change, though, in Estonia’s international visibility. The turbulent security environment created an opportunity for small state leadership especially in the framework of regional organisations. During the two first years of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Estonia’s foreign and security policy focused on shaping the policies of North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union with a view to providing maximum support to Ukraine and increasing the cost of aggression for Russia. Estonia acted as a leader through shaping the public narrative, setting the agenda, leading by example, building coalitions and orchestrating the desired outcomes. Through analysing the Estonian experience, the article addresses the broader puzzle of how small states can overcome their relative lack of power and take leadership in matters of international security, usually dominated by great powers.

De las políticas de mano dura a la política del estado de excepción en El Salvador

This article analyzes the process of deterioration of democracy in El Salvador, in the context of the exceptional regime imposed by the government of Nayib Bukele. Paradoxically, this is one of the governments in the post-conflict period with the highest level of citizen approval, according to public opinion polls (IUDOP, 2023). The study is based on historiographic research that analyzes the main impacts of the failure of the security policies of the ARENA and FMLN governments on democratic institutionality, combined with the statistical analysis of a national survey on the level of approval or rejection of the Bukele government and its security strategy, materialized in the emergency regime. It shows that the confluence of the unsatisfied security demands of the citizenry in the face of the problem of violence and the failure of the political opportunism of the ARENA and FMLN governments in security matters have contributed to the imposition of the exception regime by the government of Nayib Bukele, whose reduction in the homicide rate and victimization have generated a majority favorable opinion among the citizenry. This despite the risks posed by the authoritarian drift of the current regime and the restriction of certain democratic attributes in the relationship between the State and society. In summary, this research invites us to think about the complex connection between authoritarian populism, political culture and democracy. ECA Estudios Centroamericanos, Vol. 79, No. 774, 2024: 13-46.

China’s Security Presence and BRI in African Countries

China’s security presence has been growing steadily in proportion to the progress of the Belt and Road Initiative, reflected in a larger military footprint in Africa in the form of logistical and resupply bases. The BRI/military nexus has allowed Beijing to play a larger role in African affairs more recently, raising alarms in the United States and the European Union. Despite growing speculation and skepticism in some quarters, African societies still welcome Beijing’s increasing investment and deeper involvement in regional security matters. After Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea is the most likely nation to host the next Chinese military base. But at the same time, the West’s scrutiny of Beijing’s rising profile and deeper security involvement in Africa will also grow as China continues to chip away at the West’s influence on the continent. A steadier security footing for China would change great power dynamics in the region even as competition between Beijing on the one hand and Washington and Brussels on the other will still be limited to the economic and financial domains.

Security matters: Empowering e-commerce in Sri Lanka through customer insights

In the fast-paced, post-COVID digital world, e-commerce presents promising prospects for significant advancement. However, customers often feel uncertain due to persistent concerns about the robustness of security measures safeguarding e-commerce platforms. The primary objective of our study was to identify factors affecting the security of e-commerce platforms based on the perceptions of Sri Lankan customers. This research was conducted using data collected from Sri Lankan e-commerce users via both online and offline surveys. An ordered probit regression model was utilised, demonstrating that transaction security, privacy, vendor system security, and platform quality positively impact the perceived security of e-commerce. The e-commerce industry in Sri Lanka is expected to see growth and an increased user penetration rate. The findings of this study are anticipated to assist e-commerce business owners and policymakers in addressing critical security issues, namely vulnerabilities in transactional security, low privacy, inadequate system security, and poor e-commerce platform quality. These improvements are expected to build trust and credibility among consumers, maximising e-commerce success.

Navigating Turbulence: ASEAN’s Leadership Challenges in the Human Rights Violation in Myanmar and South China Sea Dispute

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is one of the most rapidly growing regional organizations, significantly influencing the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia and beyond. Despite these successes, however, ASEAN currently faces serious challenges in maintaining its unity, solidarity, and cohesiveness. A critical issue is the divergence in views, attitudes, and policies of member countries on crucial political and security matters. This study explores the concept of leadership within the structure of regionalization in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The concept is shaped by structural capabilities derived from the region's resource production and manpower, with charisma playing a crucial role in leadership. Based on this concept, this study explores the leadership role in ASEAN's efforts to address current and upcoming issues, particularly about human rights abuses in Myanmar and South China Sea disputes. This study compares Indonesia's leadership within ASEAN to that of other member states using a qualitative comparative case study design. This method investigates how different elements affect the phenomenon that is being studied. A more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between various variables, including leadership, domestic turmoil, and regional dynamics, can be obtained through the analysis of cases in real-life contexts. The study posits that ASEAN will not be able to uphold its integrity and accelerate the realization of a harmonious ASEAN society in the future without robust leadership. Unlike in its early years, ASEAN today lacks a leader capable of mobilizing political resources to address and resolve collective issues within the organization.

Implementation of Blockchain Technology in UKTS Library: Challenges, Obstacles and Opportunities

Blockchain is a technology based on cryptography which uses the principle of distributed ledgers (distributed ledgers) distribution) provides a variety of advantages, especially in security matters. Use of distributed ledgers as the basis of blockchain technology turns out to be very similar to that concept is very familiar among libraries, namely LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Save). This is the meeting point between blockchain technology and libraries. Starting from here, possibilities open up for libraries to implement blockchain technology. Various potential applications of blockchain technology for libraries include: procurement and maintenance of library materials, innovation in circulation services, cataloging, guaranteed protection of personal data and library membership cards, e-book publishing, support for scientific publications and digital rights management, management special collections, research support, financial literacy and UKTS library analysis. However, on the other hand, there are also challenges and obstacles that accompany efforts to implement blockchain technology in UKTS libraries, including: limited knowledge of blockchain technology, challenges in being able to choose the right blockchain, the large costs that must be incurred by libraries starting from implementation costs, maintenance costs to the costs of developing the blockchain system itself, and the last and quite sensitive issue is that there are still some people in scientific circles who think that the issue of personal data security in the blockchain system is not completely safe.