Military Interest Research Articles

Comparative Dynamics of the Belt and Road Initiative: Unveiling the Unique Position and Implications of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

The Belt and Road Initiative introduced by China is one of the biggest infrastructure and development projects striving to facilitate commercial exchanges and stimulate growth through construction, trade, and investment links across countries and continents. Under this grand framework, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) arose as a significant and novel dimension of the deepening bilateral relationship between Beijing and Islamabad Meanwhile CPEC plays a strategic role as a critical artery that aims to redefine the regional dynamics. This article undertakes analytical research to disclose the position as well as consequences of CPEC among other projects comprising the BRI on a global scale. Through fine-grained analysis of the political, economic, and social dimensions of CPEC somehow positioned next to other BRI projects, this study can identify the uniqueness of CPEC at the level of its ambitions, challenges, and implications on both regional geopolitics and economic frameworks. The paper draws upon a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, comprising CPEC project results, bilateral agreements, and economic indicators, among others, to demonstrate how CPEC functions as a driving force towards economic transformation in Pakistan with associated implications for international trade corridors. Moreover, the research sheds light on the geopolitical strategies behind China’s investments and brings to the surface how CPEC is not only employed in economic affairs but rather military and geopolitical interests for China in South Asia as well. Such a comparative study assists in the process of knowing the multilayered nature of the BRI, and bringing forth those emerging insights on how projects like CPEC can form the structure of global economic and governance engagement of the 21st century.

Fighting and winning in the Arctic: improving polar warfare capabilities

ABSTRACT The U.S. and its Arctic allies are facing a strategic dilemma in the Arctic. With Russia having a predominance of cold weather capable forces and bases inside the Arctic Circle, and with China showing greater economic and military interest in the region, in tandem with Russia, the U.S. is failing to compete around the North Pole. However, for the United States to project effectively military force in the harsh Arctic environment, numerous lessons about polar warfare need to be relearned by the American military. This article provides context on the issues of Arctic operations, presents five historical case studies of military operations in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, and identifies how to improve U.S. military capabilities for polar warfare.

The making of consumer patriotism: mobilizing Christmas in Sweden during the Second World War

ABSTRACT During the Second World War Swedish citizens were encouraged to send gifts to military personnel spending Christmas on duty. Orchestrated by a coalition of commercial and military interests as well as unions, women’s and employer’s organizations, the annual Frontline Christmas Gift campaigns blended traditional rituals of gift-giving with patriotic objectives. Analyzing archival documents and press clippings the study shows how this campaign both preserved and adapted consumer practices as well as gendered norms throughout the war. Primarily framing women as the givers and male soldiers as the receivers, the campaign reinforced gender structures and discourses while also subtly adapting them and embedding the whole exercise in Swedish consumer culture. The study contends that the Frontline Christmas Gift campaign not only maintained but also transformed public and private spheres during wartime. By extending the family-centric tradition of Christmas giving to a national level, it strengthened societal bonds and reinforced the Swedish wartime narrative of national unity and preparedness.

아시아·태평양전쟁기 한미협회의 외교 활동

This study focused on research about the nature and process of Syngman Rhee’s lobbying association, the Korean-American Council’s military petition during the Pacific War. The Korean-American Council desired to receive military aids from the U.S. Government for the Korean Provisional Government(KPG)’s military operations. Also, the council hoped to build the U.S.-Korea alliance by solidifying the military relationship between the KPG and the U.S. Therefore, the council members highlighted the petition for military assistance for Koreans, rather than only requesting approval of the KPG as the official Korean government during negotiation attempts with the U.S. State Department and U.S. military organizations. In the course of negotiation, the U.S. government largely emphasized its military interests related to U.S.-Korean military associations. The characteristics of the negotiations were found as follows. First, During the negotiations, the U.S. Department of State, which was the main target of the Korean-American Council’s diplomacy, did not disregard the negotiation. However, the State Department delivered information about the Korean-American Council’s military petitions to the U.S. military organizations. Thereby, the State Department, despite its plan of Korean Trusteeship, let the Korean-American Council understand the State Department’s favorable opinions on the KPG’s will of carrying out war operations against Japan. Secondly, the Korean-American Council’s military petitions aligned partially with the Korean-U.S. military operation plan prepared by the OSS at the time. This reflects the council members’ awareness of the need to forge the Korean military operations led by the U.S. government. However, there was a task that Korea’s military capacity and reliability had to be demonstrated before practicing the plan devised by OSS. In the course, the Korean-American Council’s military petitions played a certain important role.

A review of railway transportation in Central Asia for corridors and the revival of the Great Silk Road

This review examines the state of railway transportation in Central Asia within the context of the Silk Road initiative, tracing its origins from the United States' New Silk Road strategy. Despite recent setbacks, the Silk Route has become a crucial geopolitical tool for military, political, and economic interests, with corridors like Kazakhstan's Terminal and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan route identified for potential revitalization. Uzbekistan, particularly in the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridor, emerges as pivotal for advancing the Silk Road initiative. A comprehensive analysis of data collection methodologies employed in studying these corridors is also included to ensure the reliability and validity of the findings. Employing a multifaceted methodology, including quantitative analysis of infrastructure metrics, case studies of specific projects, a literature review synthesizing existing knowledge, and comparative analysis drawing parallels and contrasts, this study explores opportunities and challenges in enhancing these corridors, aiming to contribute to the broader strategy's rejuvenation in Central Asia. By analyzing current conditions and proposing improvements, the research seeks to optimize railway transport, aligning with the Silk Road's historical significance in the contemporary geopolitical landscape.

Challenges and Prospects for the Law of Armed Conflict — A Humanitarian Perspective

The law of armed conflict, as the international legal system that regulates the conduct of war and mitigates its catastrophic consequences, has in recent years faced the challenges of high-tech forms of warfare, the involvement of non-state actors, and the complexities of civil-military integration. To address the complexity of non-international armed conflict, international humanitarian law should be “strategically” disseminated, non-government parties should be urged to issue unilateral declarations or codes of conduct, and the UN Security Council Action Plan model and the Geneva Call’s “Deed of Commitment” model should continue to be explored and implemented. The distinction between combatants and civilians in cyber-armed conflict requires more attention to actual behavior than to the appearance of the operator, with full consideration of the relationship between full membership and function. For the use of autonomous weapons systems, we must balance military interests and the consequences of damage, maximize the recognition and decision-making capabilities of autonomous weapons systems, and maintain human oversight and control during high-risk decisions.

Decoding Operational Latitude of Russian Private Military Companies (PMCs): A Case Study of Wagner Group in Syria

The usage of private military companies (PMCs) has remained rampant among significant powers of the world since the Cold War. Historically, PMCs emerged as small contractors in the beginning but gradually attained multiplicity with distinctive capabilities. The Russian Wagner Group provides multi-dimensional and sophisticated support to the Putin Administration. The Group accounts for an operational latitude which is advanced, diplomatic, and target-oriented, and maneuvers Russian strength in both Syria and Ukraine. Russian mercenaries are state-specific, i.e., the use of Wagner Group in Syria and Ukraine, making it challenging for the opposition to understand the functioning and administration of these companies. By 2019, the Group remained covert yet precarious for its enemies. However, the new advancements suggest that the idea of plausible deniability is now shifting towards overt use as well as far-reaching proprietorship of the Group as a branch of Russian military interests. The research focuses on the private structure of Wagner Group paving the way for new challenges towards the NATO countries, shifting from conventional military threats from Russia towards overt, opportunist, and task-oriented PMCs.

Emerging Trends in the Prevalence of Military Medicine Interest Groups and Specialty Tracks at U.S. Medical Schools.

A challenge confronting health care is the national physician shortage, notably impacting the DoD's recruitment of military physicians. To address this, the Health Professions Scholarship Program is annually awarded to medical students to facilitate their transition into the U.S. Armed Forces. There is a glaring absence of military medical education in civilian schools to accommodate the unique interests of these students. While medical schools have adapted with interest groups and specialty tracks, the current presence of military medicine interest groups (MMIGs) and military medicine specialty tracks (MMSTs) remains under-explored. This study aimed to (1) update the prevalence of MMIGs in U.S. medical institutions, (2) identify the presence of MMSTs, and (3) compare military medicine involvement between allopathic and osteopathic programs. The study was approved for exempt status from the Kansas City University Institutional Review Board (study number 20,211,568-1). In a cross-sectional analysis, surveys were sent to 208 U.S. medical schools, with responses from student services or available public data from 200 institutions included in the final analysis. A secondary survey was sent to respondents who provided MMIG or MMST contacts. Results indicated that 62% (n = 124/200) of schools currently have an established MMIG, a modest growth from 56% (n = 70/125) in 2015 (p = .14). MMST prevalence, however, is minimal at 2.5% (5/200). Osteopathic institutions demonstrated a significantly greater engagement in military medicine education (88.7%) compared to allopathic schools (52.4%) (p < .001). This research underscores the need for comprehensive military medical training in medical schools to meet the interests and career aspirations of their students. Future studies should also evaluate the efficacy of MMIGs and MMSTs in preparing students for military medical roles.

Law-Abiding Criminals: How a Group of Military Over-Interested Persons Became a Threat Against National Security

The present case study examines a new form of security threat in the form of a network of “military over-interested persons” who tried to perform a mapping of Sweden’s classified military infrastructure. What makes them stand out is that they seem to have had no malicious intent, unlike the more frequently studied areas of spies and other insider threats. The results indicate that an obsessive military interest and a “perfect storm” of factors—individual risk factors, a toxic social network, and the false safety of a closed military web forum—allowed the individuals to commit serious crimes. Implications for the security of military organizations and future research are discussed.

Lawfare and International Humanitarian Law: A shift in the war experience for Western democracies

Apart from offering a review on lawfare, this article considers situations where one less-law-abiding actor – namely, a non-state actor – uses the International Humanitarian Law (IHL)’s compliance of its opponent to obtain leverage on the battlefield. Using the United States (US) as an example, it appears that IHL’s compliance is yet not to be subjugated by the pursuit of military interests. Broadening the analysis to NATO nations due to the similarity of their IHL’s conceptualization and political proximity, it defends that IHL shall remain respected by these states as disregarding it would be a treason of their political regime and the moral grounding binding governments with their populations.

Proxy Star Wars: The Growing Threat of Grey-Zone Activities in the Space Domain

he space domain is a contested and congested environment, with an overlap of military and commercial interests leading to an increasing number of “grey-zone” operations. Grey-zone operations are activities which fall below the threshold for a conventional military response, and are performed in ways that make attribution too uncertain to justify kinetic countermeasures. These operations push the boundaries of the law, technology and territorial integrity. A failure to direct an appropriate level of attention to counter space activity, or establish policy and behavioural norms, leaves scope for rapid escalation of force toward the threshold of military intervention. This paper intends to summarise past and current grey-zone activities in the space domain, identify key technologies, as well as forecast development trends. And, finally, it will reflect on the political ramifications of the escalating militarisation of the space-domain. Keywords: Grey-zone, Anti-Satellite, Counter-Space, Hybrid-Operations, Lawfare

Ultrafast Dual‐Band Imaging Using Solution‐Processed Stacked Perovskite Diodes

AbstractMultispectral imaging that captures multiple band information for effective environmental or object identification is of great interest in medical, vision, military, and space applications. Monolithic stacked detectors based on epitaxial electronics have been the principal option for infrared dual‐band imagers. However, the integration of these single‐band units would inevitably lead to performance reduction, high fabrication cost, and low reproducibility yield, which limits the widespread application of such technology. Here, a high‐throughput blade coating process is demonstrated to fabricate monolithic double‐perovskite‐layer photodiodes with preferential crystallographic morphology and high reproductivity. The device delivers electrically switchable dual‐band response with a dark current below 10−9 mA cm−2, a selective spectral response of 300–1100 nm, and bandwidths of 16.5/&gt;20 MHz for two distinct bands. Furthermore, such device configuration can concurrently capture dual‐color spectral information under an AC‐driven mode, enabling the complementary dual‐spectral imaging for bioimaging and environmental monitoring.

Indo-Pacifički region kao geopolitički "pivot" na početku 21. veka

The subject of the paper refers to the analysis of the geostrategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region and the geopolitical movements and events in it at the beginning of the 21st century. The rise of China as a political, economic, and military power is the most important event in the transformation of the global international system, which, until recently, was sovereignly ruled by the USA. This geopolitical reality directed the world's attention from the Euro-Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific region. In addition, the economic growth of the region, in inseparable synergy with political and military strategic interests, represents a major challenge to the long-standing US dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. The transformation of China into a regional power with global aspirations has changed the structure of regional relations, undermining the recently unquestioned American hegemony in this part of the world. The paper will focus on the basic geopolitical developments in the Indo-Pacific region, the new geopolitical "pivot" of the 21st century. The research used the content analysis method of the numerous relevant sources in which the Indo-Pacific region is considered, which includes a large expanse of water and land, where this specificity is reflected in the fact that the most significant "geopolitical game" today is related to the events in the waters of the South China Sea. The method of analysis and deduction in considering the character form and relationship of the rise of China as a political, economic, and military power and the events in

Djibouti: A strategic choke point in the Bab el-Mandeb region

Djibouti's strategic position at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, underscores its geopolitical significance. This narrow strait is essential for global trade, with a significant share of the world's oil and commercial shipments passing through. Djibouti’s location at this juncture enhances its role as a pivotal hub for international maritime traffic and naval operations. The geopolitical landscape in Djibouti is currently influenced by its relationships with global powers. The country hosts military bases for the United States, China, France, and Japan, each seeking to secure their interests in this vital region. The establishment of China’s first overseas military base in Djibouti signifies a notable shift in the balance of power, emphasising Djibouti's strategic importance on the global stage. These bases are crucial for safeguarding maritime routes, countering piracy, and managing regional conflicts. At the same time, they also prove to be a potential source of power struggle between great powers. In the contemporary period, it is important to reevaluate the importance of this region in resonance with China’s rising influence through trade relations and investments. The intersection of military, economic, and geopolitical interests in Djibouti along with its regional dynamics certifies its enduring strategic importance. The resurgence of piracy, involvement of the Houthi rebels and the ongoing Israel Hamas conflict also reassure the shift of power relations in the Arab region from the lenses of global security.

US Navy Aerial Photography Squadrons in Türkiye: American Interests in Cold War Cartography

This article explores a little-known archive of historical aerial photographs curated by the General Directorate of Mapping of the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Defense and discusses the historical context of their production by US Navy aerial photography squadrons in the 1950s. While the images themselves enable a technical analysis of the method of their collection, contemporary military manuals, domain-specific magazines and newsletters, and eyewitness accounts of how similar photographs were captured fill out the contexts of their production for cartographic purposes, with information about the aircraft involved, their cameras and camera configurations, and mission characteristics. Continuing sections situate the aerial surveys within the framework of US-led initiatives in mapping NATO territories following World War II. As one example of what must have been many special mapping agreements made between NATO countries at this time, the US cartographic surveys over Türkiye discussed here are an expression of postwar realignments of global power, put to the purposes of containment-based security preparations and infrastructure development, and neatly intertwining American military and commercial interests early in the Cold War.

Образ войны в мультфильмах США 1941–1945 гг.

Studies of propaganda in Allied countries during World War II for the most part concern either printed matter or cinema, while animated films (cartoons) have been much less investigated in this regard. The present article is devoted to the representation and reflection of World War II in American cartoons in 1941–1945 — an unusual and little-studied issue in Russian historiography. Specific examples and artistic features, as well as approaches to the use of cartoons as a means of propaganda, are considered. Within the framework of the article, samples of propaganda cartoons were analyzed, a certain typology of setting images and placing accents was derived, and conclusions were drawn about the importance of animation in the development of propaganda. Specific examples show the transformation of animation to suit military interests and the connection of the largest (and not only) film industry representatives with the state. Also, within the framework of the article, it was analyzed how the state interacted with animators and studios, along with how it itself was involved in the creation of propaganda and animation films. In particular, the history and activities of the “First Motion Picture Unit” and the first results of its work at the beginning of the war were considered. The case studies showed how American animation was modified in response to new needs and characteristics of the market, how existing characters were used for propaganda purposes and new works were created, as well as what stereotypes about America’s opponents were formed in cartoons. The article is based on literature and sources on the topic.

RETUNING THE UNIVERSE: EXAMINING THE COSMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF SOUND FREQUENCIES, MUSIC AND HUMAN PERCEPTION

The article discusses the relationship between sound frequencies, music, and human perception, focusing on the debate surrounding the tuning standard used in music. The paper begins by questioning the metaphysical and religious implications of sound as a creative force. It then delves into the physics of music and human hearing and continues emphasizing the role of frequencies in shaping tonality and timbre. The significance and effects of different tuning standards, particularly comparing 432Hz tuning to the more commonly used 440Hz standard, have also been reviewed. Additionally, the historical context and potential motives behind the adoption of the 440Hz tuning standard, suggesting military and commercial interests, have been investigated. By examining these aspects, the article aims to deepen our understanding of the effects of different musical tunings on human well-being and perception, calling for further research. Ultimately, the article serves as a call to action for further research in the field.

Men and boys from the Ilirska Bistrica area in Italian military uniform

Between 1922 and 1943, after the Treaty of Rapallo came into force, men enlisted in the Italian armed forces and boys forcibly incorporated into special battalions of the Italian army left the Ilirska Bistrica area as Italian citizens, joining the military structures of a state that was not their homeland. Having their names Italianized and coming from an environment that the fascist regime had stripped of its national identity, they risked their lives for the military interests of the Kingdom of Italy. The contribution sets forth selected topics, focusing on conscripts deserting in 1935, before and after the war in Ethiopia, on survivors’ personal experiences during the interwar period and the Second World War as well as on dead and missing soldiers and war captives. The author draws primarily on Italian archival sources, victimology sources, and oral sources obtained through conducting field research. To avoid generalizations, the article aims to highlight the different dimensions of enlistments and personalize the narrative by using the concrete names of deserters and dead soldiers as well as survivors’ testimonies.

Relations Between Ukraine and Israel Within the Framework of the United Nations: Key Interests and Disagreements

The article analyzes the peculiarities of the formation and implementation of Ukraine's position on the issue of the Palestinian territories in UN institutions and Israel attitude toward russian invasion of Ukraine. There are important differences in the military and political interests of Ukraine and Israel. Thus, the institutions of the UN have become the international forum where the differences between Ukraine and Israel show themselves especially clearly. The author argues that Israel is interested in maintaining balanced relations with moscow, which has repeatedly prompted Israel to avoid supporting the organization's decisions in support of Ukraine at the UN. However, after the start of full-scale russian invasion, Israel supported most of the organization's resolutions for the support of Ukraine. In turn, Ukraine at the UN forms a position on the issue of the Palestinian territories in accordance with the norms of international law, a number of resolutions of the General Assembly and the UN Security Council, but this causes serious dissatisfaction of Israel government. The negative impact on the relations between Israel and russia of the intensification of Moscow's military-political cooperation with Tehran was also noted. May be supposed that a less cautious position of Israel in supporting Ukraine would be welcomed by Washington. Ukraine's rejection of its principled position regarding the occupied Palestinian territories would expose Kyiv to accusations of double standards, would undermine the position of Ukrainian diplomacy in efforts to exert international pressure upon russia regarding the occupied Ukrainian territories, and would have an unfavorable projection on our relations with many EU countries. However, Ukraine has some room for diplomatic maneuver in determining its position on this issue.

Mechanical performance of concrete canvas reinforced with insert-bar structures under quasi-static and impact loading

Concrete canvas (CC) is a promising composite based on a combination of three-dimensional fabric and cement-based powder, with the comprehensive advantages of easy storage and transport, convenient construction, rapid strength development, and low dust pollution. In civil and military engineering, interest and exploration work within the field of CC have been ongoing for many years. While external measures exist to enhance the mechanical properties of CC, substantial internal measures are still lacking. In this paper, an internal stiffening strategy was proposed by coupling warp-knitted spacer structure with a series of insert-bar structures, attempting to improve the mechanical performance of CC. The reinforcing effect of flexible bar stiffeners were investigated through quasi-static bursting test and impact test. Damage morphology analysis was then performed to reveal the progressive failure mechanism. The obtained results demonstrated that flexible bar stiffeners with low modulus were highly beneficial reinforcements for CC due to their favorable synergy and great stress dissipation capacity. The load-bearing capacity and toughness of CC were increased with the insertion height and groups of bar combination. The vertical combination could further enhance the penetration resistance by altering stress transfer.