Military Command Research Articles

Legal Challenges for Ukraine under Martial Law: Protection of Civil, Property and Labour Rights, Right to a Fair Trial, and Enforcement of Decisions

Background: On 24 February, Russia launched a military attack on the entire territory of Ukraine, in connection with which the President of Ukraine declared martial law. According to the Law of Ukraine ‘On Martial Law’, martial law is a special legal regime introduced in the event of armed aggression, danger to the state independence of Ukraine, or its territorial integrity and arranges for the provision of appropriate state authorities, military command, military administrations, and local authorities self-governance of the powers necessary to avert the threat, repel armed aggression and ensure national security, and eliminate the threat of danger to the state independence of Ukraine, its territorial integrity, as well as the temporary restriction of the constitutional rights and freedoms of persons and citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of legal entities within the validity period of these restrictions. This study is designed to analyse the consequences of armed aggression against Ukraine and the introduction of the appropriate legal regime in such areas as the realisation of property rights, the administration of justice, the enforcement of court decisions, and labour relations. Methods: To achieve the goals of the research, general scientific and special methods of scientific research were applied, such as comparative-legal and semantic-structural methods and the method of grouping, analysis, synthesis, and generalization. Results and Conclusions: The introduction of the martial law regime throughout the territory of Ukraine affected all spheres of life and, as a result, requires adaptation to modern realities. In particular, this consists of changes to the current legislation because the martial law regime involves the restriction of certain constitutional rights and freedoms of persons and the introduction of new mechanisms – for example, the suspension of labour relations, changes in the jurisdiction of courts for the possibility of justice, expanding the competence of private executors, and even making changes to the regulations of ICAC due to the impossibility of sending documents by mail, as well as allowing process participants to personally participate in meetings.

Can we Bridge AI’s responsibility gap at Will?

Artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly executes tasks that previously only humans could do, such as drive a car, fight in war, or perform a medical operation. However, as the very best AI systems tend to be the least controllable and the least transparent, some scholars argued that humans can no longer be morally responsible for some of the AI-caused outcomes, which would then result in a responsibility gap. In this paper, I assume, for the sake of argument, that at least some of the most sophisticated AI systems do indeed create responsibility gaps, and I ask whether we can bridge these gaps at will, viz. whether certain people could take responsibility for AI-caused harm simply by performing a certain speech act, just as people can give permission for something simply by performing the act of consent. So understood, taking responsibility would be a genuine normative power. I first discuss and reject the view of Champagne and Tonkens, who advocate a view of taking liability. According to this view, a military commander can and must, ahead of time, accept liability to blame and punishment for any harm caused by autonomous weapon systems under her command. I then defend my own proposal of taking answerability, viz. the view that people can makes themselves morally answerable for the harm caused by AI systems, not only ahead of time but also when harm has already been caused.

Геннадий Матвеев, Карина Колихова, Введение советско-польского перемирия в действие (октябрь-ноябрь 1920 г.)/The Implementation of the Polish-Soviet Peace Preliminaries (October–November 1920)

The article clarifies the actual date of the entry into force of the Soviet-Polish treaty on the preliminary conditions of peace and armistice of October 12, 1920. The preliminary treaty stipulated that the enactment should happen no later than November 2, and after that date, the withdrawal of Polish troops to the state border line was to begin. The parties pledged not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs and not to support organizations aimed at overthrowing the state and social system of the other party from the moment the truce was ratified under article II of the treaty. Realizing the importance of the armistice, the Ukrainian SSR, Poland and the RSFSR ratified the treaty within the agreed time frame, and it seemed that nothing prevented them from immediately starting work on the final text of the peace treaty in accordance with the agreements. However, the Soviet peace delegation that had arrived in Riga on November 3 did not find the Polish delegation there. It turned out, moreover, that the Polish army was in no hurry to leave the regions of the Ukrainian SSR and the Belorussian SSR occupied by it, and thus covered the flanks of the anti-Soviet armies of Symon Petliura, Boris Piermikin, and Stanisław Bułak-Bałachowicz which invaded Soviet territory. The protests expressed by the Soviet side yielded results only aer the Red Army had broken through the defense of the Crimea on November 9-10. On November 13, a Polish delegation finally arrived in Riga and a meeting of the heads of the Soviet and Polish delegations, Adolph Joffe and Jan Dąbski, took place, following which Poland undertook to begin the withdrawal of its troops from November 19, 1920. Its yesterday’s eastern allies retreated to Poland and were interned. The analysis of the problem shows that the armistice agreement was actually put into effect not on November 2, but on November 19, 1920, and Józef Piłsudski and the Polish military command are primarily to blame for this.

Strategic directions for improving preventive anti-corruption mechanisms in military administration bodies

The purpose of the article was to determine the features of the strategic directions for improving preventive anti-corruption mechanisms in the military command and control bodies.
 The rationale is given that under the conditions of the legal regime of martial law, new conditions arise that contribute to an increase in the number of corruption offenses.
 The article analyzes the legal framework and practice of the activities of military command and control bodies in the field of preventing corruption. Based on the results of the analysis, the following strategic directions were identified.
 First, an assessment of corruption risks, including: a) analysis of anti-corruption messages; b) determination of the causes and conditions conducive to the commission of corruption offenses and offenses related to corruption; c) specification of the list of corruption risks in accordance with the current situation.
 Secondly, reducing the influence of factors associated with a conflict of interest: a) minimizing the possibility of a conflict of interest; b) settlement of conflicts of interest in case of occurrence.
 Thirdly, strengthening the declaration system as a prevention of corruption offenses and offenses related to corruption: a) ensuring the timely submission of declarations by persons authorized to perform the functions of the state; b) increasing the level of reliability of information contained in the declarations of persons authorized to perform the functions of the state.
 Fourthly, the formation of zero tolerance for corruption among military personnel: a) education of a high level of virtue in military personnel; b) strengthening of intra-departmental corporate ethics of anti-corruption orientation.
 Attention is paid to the fact that the legal regime of martial law has left its mark on the implementation of some of these measures. The above necessitates the search for other effective anti-corruption tools, which include numerous sociological surveys, focus groups, analysis of publications in the media, etc.
 The conclusion is made that the strategic directions for improving preventive anti-corruption mechanisms in military command and control bodies are long-term methods of action aimed at reducing the number of corruption offenses and offenses related to corruption.

Administrative and legal prerequisites for the economic development of united territorial communities under martial law

The article is devoted to the analysis of administrative and legal preconditions of economic development of united territorial communities in the conditions of martial law. The measures already implemented on the organization of financial independence of local budgets are studied and the prospects of further implementation of the measures of the mentioned municipal reform in the conditions of martial law are considered. Based on the conducted scientific analysis of administrative and legal bases for economic development of united territorial communities in Ukraine, the authors express their own proposals aimed at strengthening their material and financial base in the face of the challenges of martial law. It is noted that Ukrainian communities, which have become more effective through decentralization reform, are showing resilience even in wartime. Their main goal today is to create conditions for the provision of quality public services at the level closest to the citizen. The concept of OTG capability in martial law, as the ability to accumulate and rationally use available financial, material, human and other resources, as well as identify and use their reserves to meet current needs, needs of internally displaced persons, territorial development and military logistics , formation of OTG competitiveness in the future. Creating preconditions for economic capacity of territorial communities involves optimizing the financial and economic base of local governments, optimizing intergovernmental relations, forming effective local budgets that can ensure the performance of local government functions. -territorial units are communal property, natural resources, land. The problems of relocation of business and internally displaced persons, as well as the impact of these factors on the development of united territorial communities are considered. Guarantees of material and financial capacity of local self-government bodies in the conditions of martial law are covered. Martial law involves the provision of public authorities, military command, necessary to deter the threat, repel armed aggression and ensure national security.

Use of MEDEVAC Resources in Austere Settings: Paget-Schroetter in the Deployed Environment.

Medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) from a combat zone requires complex decision-making and coordination of assets. A MEDEVAC helicopter team transports not only battle-injured patients but also patients with urgent non-battle-related medical diagnoses from extremely remote locations and are at the mercy of terrain, weather, and enemy contact. The military represents a young population particularly susceptible to venous thoracic outlet syndrome (vTOS) given the rigorous physical activity demands. Current literature supports immediate anticoagulation and surgical decompression within 14 days of diagnosis of vTOS to prevent long-term morbidity. Presented is a case of service member with vTOS presenting at an extremely remote military clinic who underwent a prompt evacuation ∼7,000 miles utilizing rotary-wing transport, followed by three to four more fixed-wing flights to a military treatment facility in the United States. Immediate recognition and ultrasound of this patient to confirm vTOS upon presentation and effective communication to non-medical military commanders and the receiving medical personnel at each Echelon was necessary to ensure an expedited evacuation. The surgeons treating this patient recommend prompt evacuation of deployed service members with suspected vTOS, venogram at the Role 3 if ultrasound is inconclusive, anticoagulation, and return to a Role 4 CONUS facility for definitive surgical management within 14 days. This case is an example of the efficiency of the military MEDEVAC system on a global scale, ensuring optimum medical care for all service members deployed.

Empanelment: A Novel Healthcare Initiative - Viewpoint

Military hospital management in Nepal faces challenges to meet the rising demands for quality care while enhancing efficiency and effectiveness as well as maintaining a workforce capable of meeting both peacetime and wartime needs. Empanelment of a tertiary civil hospital at a military regional command hospital is presented as an innovative strategic arrangement for leveraging productivity. Patient data for the first six months is analysed and key empanelment implementation issues are presented to enhance performance of healthcare providers.

Printed Music as a Medium of International Representation for the Magnates of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania: A Case Study of Music Prints Dedicated to Jan Karol Chodkiewicz and Aleksander Chodkiewicz

The article deals with the collections of printed music dedicated to the distinguished nobles, statesmen and military commanders of the Grand Dutchy of Lithuania, brothers Jan Karol and Aleksander Chodkiewicz. These collections were printed in Venice in the beginning of the 17th century and dedicated to the Lithuanian magnates by Italian composers Giovanni Valentini and Giulio Osculati. However, it was not in their home country where composers became acquainted with the above-mentioned noblemen who had studied and travelled extensively in Italy but in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In fact, both composers had served for certain periods of time as musicians in the Polish court chapel under Sigismund III Vasa. The said collections of motets are being examined here with an emphasis on publicity and international representation. The author notes that besides the reasonable expectations of both Italian composers to raise their public profiles, to publish and disseminate their work in Europe, these personal aspirations also resonated with the interests of other public figures. They both represent Sigismund III Vasa, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, as a generous patron and a leading social figure. The dedications were intended to glorify the Chodkiewicz and raise their profile within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and beyond. They account for the magnates’ victories in major military campaigns of the time, such as those achieved during the Polish–Swedish war of 1600–1611, as well as Chodkiewicz’s merits in defence of the state. Within the context of shifting confessional identities at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries (i.e. the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation movements) these notated sources should be considered as a reflection of the magnates’ confessional identity. The very genre of printed works – motets for Catholic church service – reflects Chodkiewicz’s firm self-determination as Roman Catholics.

Endgames: Military Response to Protest in Arab Autocracies

Endgames: Military Response to Protest in Arab Autocracies

Mormonicity

Mormonicity

An operations research approach for combat readiness assessment in the military system

Combat Readiness (CR) is the preparedness of combat systems to accomplish some organized or assigned tasks. Measures of both concrete and abstract aspects of combat command are used to evaluate the battle preparedness of military forces. The mathematical model and equations for calculating combat readiness have been evaluated, and they show that many methods have been employed to operationalize their respective notions. The goal of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of previously constructed models using Mankilik's Lambda technique (1999). The simulation model was utilized to assess performance, and the results produced indicated good promise for assisting military commanders or decision makers in making quality decisions.

The Indian National Movement in the Works of A. E. Snesarev

The subject of the study is the reflection of the activities of the Indian National Congress and the national movement in India in the works of A. E. Snesarev, a Russian and Soviet military commander and orientalist. The article examines the history of the study of the Indian national movement in Russia by A. E. Snesarev's predecessors in this field - I. P. Minaev and E. Lamansky (1870-1890s). The reasons for A. E. Snesarev's appeal to the development of socio-political and economic thought of British India are analyzed. Special attention is paid in the article to the work "India as the main factor in the Central Asian issue" and the analysis of the attitude of Indian society to British rule carried out in it. In the course of the study, the following conclusions were made: the national movement in India and the activities of the Indian National Congress were not the main subject of research by Russian orientalists in the pre-revolutionary period, however, interest in the development of socio-political thought in British India and the problems of the relationship of Indian society with the British colonial authorities intensified as the confrontation between the Russian and British empires in Central Asia intensified. Asia during the "Big Game", an example of which was the work of A. E. Snesarev, who, despite the limited range of available sources, was one of the first in Russian historiography to turn to the study of Indian nationalism.

INDIAN MILITARY DOCTRINE AND ITS IMPACT ON SOUTH ASIA’S STRATEGIC STABILITY

India’s aggressive military doctrine exploits the questionable space for a limited war under a nuclear overhang. This doctrine is designed to dilute, if not fully compromise, the notion of nuclear deterrence. Indian military high command has often boasted about waging a conventional war against Pakistan. India’s unilateral decision to repeal Kashmir’s special constitutional status has further exacerbated the volatility of the hitherto conflict-prone environment in South Asia. India’s doctrine manifests in the offensive deployment of S-400 missile systems along Pakistan’s border, further supplemented by the positioning of Dassault Rafale fighter jets. While it might temporarily alter the region’s strategic stability equation, Pakistan must rebalance this shift in its strategic stability. There is a need to review the notion of strategic stability as it applies to the region’s nuclear balance of power. This paper analyses India’s aggressive military doctrine fuelling its desire to wage a limited conventional war against Pakistan, examines the effects of growing military asymmetry, evaluates the impact of the short but swift military action in February 2019, and finally endeavours to determine the stabilizing impact of the nuclear deterrent on South Asia’s strategic stability. Bibliography Entry Ali, Muhammad, and Syed Mussawar Hussain Bukhari. 2022. "Indian Military Doctrine and Its Impact on South Asia’s Strategic Stability." Margalla Papers 26 (1): 74-84.

ПЕТРОГРАДСКАЯ КОНФЕРЕНЦИЯ СОЮЗНИКОВ 1917 ГОДА КАК ЭТАП СОТРУДНИЧЕСТВА СТРАН АНТАНТЫ

The article deals with the conference of the Allies, which took place in Petrograd in early 1917, on the eve of the February Revolution. This conference was one of the last stages of serious cooperation between the member countries of the Entente and Russia. The article is an attempt to analyze the tasks of the French, British and Russian delegations, which largely determined their positions at this meeting. Each side pursued its own goals. The tasks of the allies were, first of all, to confirm the common interests of the members of the Entente, to coordinate the actions of the military command, and most importantly, to encourage Russia to start new active military operations on the Eastern Front as soon as possible. The goal of Russia, which confirmed its loyalty to its allied duty, was, first of all, to receive the maximum possible volume of military-technical assistance from partners in the alliance. In addition, the allies were very interested in the general state of affairs in Russia, the mood of the elites and the prospects for the development of political life in Russia. The paper examines the course of negotiations, notes the main issues and problems that caused the most heated discussions, summarizes the results of the conference, which determined the further prospects for cooperation between the allies in the framework of the 1917 campaign of the First World War.

ACTIVITY PETRO BUBELA’S AT THE FINAL STAGE OF THE STRUGGLE FOR UKRAINIAN STATEHOOD

The purpose of this article is to reveal the activity of one of the leading Galician military figures, lawyer by education Petro Bubela (1889 – 1934?) at the final stage of his life. His work in the leading position of the Deputy State Secretary for Military Affairs of the Western Region of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (ZOUNR), participation in the development of the armed forces − the Galician Army (GA), which was forced to resist the Polish armed aggression, is shown. The events of 1919 on the Polish-Ukrainian front are briefly analyzed – the Polish offensives and Ukrainian counteroffensives from January to March 1919, and a radical change in the situation on the front after the arrival of the well-trained and armed by the Entente Polish army under the command of General Józef Haller in Galicia. After retreating beyond the Zbruch River, the Galician soldiers found themselves in the territory controlled by the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. The functions of the “temporary capital” were then performed by Vinnytsia, whose military commandant was P. Bubela. In “big” Ukraine, Galicians had to resist the Russian (“white” and “red”) occupants. P. Bubela’s participation in the complex negotiation missions with the representatives of A. Denikin’s “white” army (M. Bredov, M. Schilling) is covered. The study, based on the archival materials and memoirs, attempts to reproduce the course of events related to the “Odesa” period of P. Bubela’s life and activity. Having left Vinnytsia as a result of the Bolshevik offensive, he found himself in Odesa. After its capture by the “Reds”, he was forced to adapt to the difficult conditions of Soviet reality. In the early 1920s, P. Bubela was arrested by the Bolsheviks and taken to Kharkiv. After his release, he returned to Odesa and worked as a clerk in the Red Cross. During the Stalinist repressions of the 1930s, he was arrested again on March 23, 1931, and sentenced to three years in prison camps. The tragic fate of P. Bubela’s family, whose members were also persecuted after the Soviet occupation of Galicia in 1939, is also briefly revealed. The struggle of Galicians for Ukrainian statehood in the early 20th century convincingly proves that Ukrainian people, like other European nations, are quite capable of state life. During this period, thousands of selfless fighters for the freedom of Ukraine reached national maturity. P. Bubela took an honorable place on this list. Ukrainian historians still owe a great deal to the creators and defenders of Ukrainian statehood in the early 20th century, to the generation of Galicians who had to live during the years of high national upsurge. Therefore, the activity and life of such prominent figures as P. Bubela requires further study and thorough research.

Property rights in martial law

The article is devoted to the study of property rights in martial law, the definition of «forced alienation of property» and «seizure of property», reveals their characteristics.
 The analysis of the essence of the property right in the conditions of martial law is carried out, it is defined as there is a compulsory alienation and confiscation of property.
 It is established that during martial law there is a possibility:
 –forcible alienation of property, ie deprivation of the owner of the right to ownership of individually identified property in private or communal ownership and which becomes the property of the state for use under martial law or state of emergency subject to prior or subsequent full reimbursement;
 –confiscation of property, ie deprivation of state-owned enterprises, state economic associations of the right of economic management or operational management of individually determined state property for the purpose of its transfer for the needs of the state under martial law or state of emergency.
 It is important that an act is drawn up on the forced alienation or confiscation of property.
 It is determined that in the modern legal literature there is no clear scientific study that would address the issue of property rights in martial law. Therefore, it is necessary to more clearly analyze the provisions of the legislation of Ukraine on property relations that exist under martial law.
 According to the results of the study, it was concluded that in martial law only the procedure of forced alienation of private property and communal property with subsequent compensation of value can be applied, and seizure occurs exclusively at the expense of state property and without reimbursement of such property.
 The decision to forcibly expropriate property may be taken only by the military command in agreement with the local self-government body, depending on the conduct of hostilities in the territory.
 It should be noted that the police, the Territorial Defense Forces, and individual servicemen cannot forcibly confiscate the private property of citizens without a proper decision of the Military Command and without proper documentation.

Driver’s state of intoxication as a ground for forced alienation of vehicles during the state of war

The article is devoted to the study of the legal grounds for the forced alienation of vehicles from persons who drive them in a state of alcohol, drugs or other intoxication. It has been determined that the forcible alienation of property, including a vehicle, is considered to deprive the owner of the right to own individually determined property that is in private or communal ownership and becomes the property of the state for use under martial law or subsequent with full reimbursement of its value. The study also established mandatory conditions for the compulsory alienation of vehicles, including: imposition of martial law, decision on compulsory alienation exclusively by military command with or without agreement (depending on the presence or absence of direct hostilities) with the Autonomous Council of Ministers Republic of Crimea, regional, district, Kyiv or Sevastopol city state administration or executive body of the relevant local council; full pre- liminary / subsequent reimbursement of the value of the forcibly alienated vehicle; compliance with a certain procedure. The procedure of compulsory alienation of the vehicle includes the sequential performance of the following actions: stopping the vehicle; detection of signs of intoxication and examination of the driver in accordance with the requirements of current legislation of Ukraine; drawing up by the police of the report on the administrative offense provided by Art. 130 Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses; compulsory alienation of a vehicle by a representative of the military command with drawing up an act on compulsory alienation of the vehicle and a conclusion on the value of the property on the date of its assessment; reimbursement of the value of the forcibly alienated vehicle. An important condition for the forced alienation of vehicles is the preliminary and full reimbursement of its value (requisition). Under martial law, property may be forcibly expropriated from the owner, followed by full reimbursement of its value. The monetary reward depends on the assessment of the vehicle. The monetary reward depends on the assessment of the vehicle, which is reflected in the conclusion on the value of the property.

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES IN PREVENTING TERRORISM IN THE REGIONAL OF DISTRICT MILITARY COMMAND 0618/BS BANDUNG CITY

District Military Command 0618 / BS Bandung City as Satkowil (Territorial Unit) implements Social Communication as one of the methods of Territorial Development in its area. This study aims to analyze the ways of implementing social communication in the prevention of terrorism in the Regional of District Military Command 0618 / BS in Bandung and also how the Strategy for Implementing Social Communication to prevent terrorism in the Regional of District Military Command 0618 / BS Bandung. This research is a qualitative social study. Data sources used include primary data and secondary data. The technique of collecting data uses interviews, observation, and is supported by documentation and triangulation studies. Qualitative data analysis is performed by data reduction, data presentation and conclusions drawn. The study was conducted in the District Military Command 0618 / BS Bandung City, West Java. Based on this research, the results of the study of the Social Communication Coaching Strategy District Military Command 0618 / BS Bandung city can help the efforts to overcome terrorism in the area. The activities consist of giving lectures, advice and measurable data collection as well as the implementation of creative social media that is involved in the present. With this strategy, it can compete for the hearts of the people and create a unity of the TNI - the People. At the same time as an effort to deradicalise, a quick meeting and resistance against radical groups as a forerunner can be directed at acts of terrorism in the region. In the city of Bandung there are groups consisting of bed cells taken when they can appear and be developed and can be moved which can lead to conflict and terrorism. Counter terrorism must be carried out jointly with other parties and the Regional Government and the community in order to obtain maximum results.Keywords: Strategy, Social Communication , Region Command Unit, Terrorism, District Military Command

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT IN INTELLIGENCE PERSPECTIVE (CASE STUDY AT KODAM III SILIWANGI)

Abstract - This research is motivated by the phenomenon of threatening national defense in West Java. The objectives of this study are (1) To analyze the threat of national defense in West Java; (2) To analyze the performance intelligence detachment of the 3rd military regional command (KODAM III)/Siliwangi in overcoming the threat of national defense in West Java; and (3) To analyze the strategy intelligence detachment of 3rd military regional command (KODAM III)/Siliwangi in improving performance to overcome the threat of national defense in West Java. The research method used is qualitative. The results showed that; (1) State defense threats in West Java are related to ideological, political, economic, socio-cultural, and security threats; (2) The performance intelligence detachment of the 3rd military regional command (KODAM III)/Siliwangi in overcoming the threat of national defense in West Java is related to collection, analysis, counterintelligence, and covert operations. As for the implementation, Kodam III Siliwangi did some support such as data collection, deepening, raising, coordination, and social communication; and (3) Strategy intelligence detachment of 3rd military regional command (KODAM III)/Siliwangi in improving performance in order to overcome the threat of national defense in West Java through improving the capability of soldiers, increasing the number of soldiers, increasing the responsiveness of information and situations, and improving facilities and infrastructure through procurement based on priorities. The conclusion of the research shows that the performance intelligence detachment of the 3rd military regional command (KODAM III)/Siliwangi is quite good but it needs strengthening based on a priority scale.Keywords: Threats, Intelligence, Performance

Whose rules? Whose power? The Global South and the possibility to shape international peacekeeping norms through leadership appointments

AbstractInternational organisations reflect global power configurations and as such, are deemed to reproduce global inequalities. Nevertheless, they also represent opportunities for the Global South to challenge the global stratification of power, for instance by providing personnel to international agencies and bureaucracies. This article examines the role of leadership personnel from the Global South in implementing robust peacekeeping mandates.Given that states from the Global South have often been hesitant to support the use of force internationally, can leadership positions in peace operations help these states to influence norms at the implementation level? We develop a conceptual understanding of individuals’ role in implementing norms and apply the framework to military force commanders from Brazil, India, and Rwanda. The analysis demonstrates that appointments provide an opportunity for norm contestation, but do not necessarily guarantee such influence. Under certain circumstances, we find that military force commanders can actually undermine their governments’ preferences. However, the relation between force commanders’ practices and their country of origin's policy stance is complex and influenced by a variety of different factors that merit further investigation.