Military Research Articles

Upper Limb Function in People With Upper and Lower Limb Loss 8Years Postinjury: The Armed Services Trauma Outcome Study (ADVANCE) Cohort Study.

Upper limb (UL) disability in people with UL loss is well reported in the literature, less so for people with lower limb loss. This study aimed to compare UL disability in injured (major trauma) and uninjured UK military personnel, with particular focus on people with upper and lower limb loss. A volunteer sample of injured (n= 579) and uninjured (n= 566) UK military personnel who served in a combat role in the Afghanistan war were frequency matched on age, sex, service, rank, regiment, role, and deployment period and recruited to the Armed Services Trauma Rehabilitation Outcome (ADVANCE) longitudinal cohort study. Participants completed the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, scored from 0 (no disability) to 100 (maximum disability) 8years postinjury. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compared DASH scores between groups. An ordinal model was used to assess the effect of injury and amputation on DASH scores. DASH scores were higher in the Injured group compared to the Uninjured group (3.33 vs 0.00) and higher in people with lower limb loss compared to the Uninjured group (0.83 vs 0.00), although this was not statistically significant. In the adjusted ordinal model, the odds of having a higher DASH score was 1.70 (95% CI = 1.18-2.47) times higher for people with lower limb loss compared to the Uninjured group. DASH score was not significantly different between people with major and partial UL loss (15.42 vs 12.92). The odds of having a higher DASH score was 8.30 (95% CI = 5.07-13.60) times higher for people with UL loss compared to the Uninjured group. People with lower limb loss have increased odds of having more UL disability than the Uninjured population 8years postinjury. People with major and partial UL loss have similar UL disability. The ADVANCE study will continue to follow this population for the next 20years. For the first time, potential for greater long-term UL disability has been shown in people with lower limb loss, likely resulting from daily biomechanical compensations such as weight-bearing, balance, and power generation. This population may benefit from prophylactic upper limb rehabilitation, strength, and technique.

Military Organization’s Use of Social Media and Its Relationship with Politics: Evidence from Pakistan

The literature on social media (SM) use in government organizations primarily focuses on service delivery, publicity, and public relations. But, how a public sector security organization’s use of social media is related to electoral politics in a country is least understood. This paper conceptualizes the Pakistani military’s use of digital media, drawing on the theory of organizational impression management (IM). It further explores the impact of military-related social media activists (SMAs) on electoral politics in Pakistan. Structural equation modeling was used to test the conceptual model, demonstrating that the citizens’ connectedness with military-related SMAs is significant and positively associated with their voting realignments during the 2018 elections in Pakistan. The results revealed that the citizens’ greater online political participation increases their likelihood of connecting with military-related SMAs. On the contrary, their engagement with the offline political process reduces the chances of consuming the military’s impression management content over social media.

Using nominal group technique to identify the planning considerations for UK Armed Forces medical personnel delivering defence engagement first aid training activities

IntroductionDefence Medical Services personnel regularly deploy overseas to deliver training activities as part of defence engagement (DE) to positively influence partners and others. There remains scope for medical planners to...

Assessment of Oral Health Conditions Among Physically Disabled Patients in Saudi Arabia

ObjectivesThis study was undertaken to assess the oral health status among physically disabled Saudi patients. MethodsRecruitment took place in the Armed Forces Centre for Health Rehabilitation in Taif, Saudi Arabia. 124 patients living with a physical disability were enrolled and divided into three groups: hemiplegia, paraplegia and quadriplegia. Data was collected on demographics and different oral indices, including the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, the Mean Decayed Teeth score, the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). ResultsHigh DMFT was observed among the hemiplegia group (mean = 22.61; P-value = .008) with no difference in the Mean Decayed Teeth. All groups showed signs of gingivitis in the form of gingival bleeding. The most compromised periodontal health in the form of pockets 6 mm or deeper was found in the hemiplegia group (53.7%; P-value = .001). This was also reflected in the CPITN (39.0%; P-value = .001), indicating the need for complex treatments in the same group. Regarding oral hygiene, all groups showed a “fair” oral hygiene condition (OHI-S < 3.0), with significantly poorer hygiene (mean = 2.49; P-value = .042) and greater debris accumulation (mean = 1.52; P-value = .024) among the quadriplegia group. In the regression analysis, both age and gender had significant effects on some indices, while disability type showed borderline effects. ConclusionThe findings indicate poor oral health in these individuals, mainly due to physical limitations, hindering effective self-care practices. Clinical significanceOral health is a critical aspect in people with physical disabilities, as it is intrinsically linked to overall health and well-being. Recognizing the clinical importance of oral health among physically disabled patients is essential to improve access and affordability of dental care for this vulnerable group of the population.

Collapse of Cancer Care Under the Current Conflict in Sudan.

Sudan has been under an armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia since April 15, 2023. The conflict has turned the country into the largest internal displacement humanitarian crisis with 9.05 million internally displaced persons including 2.2 million children younger than 5 years and caused 1.47 million Sudanese to flee the country as refugees. The conflict has had a major destructive impact on the health system, which has incurred targeting with air raids, ground invasion, vandalization, looting of assets and supplies, and killing of doctors, nurses, and other health personnel. Khartoum Oncology Hospital, Sudan's main cancer hub for treatment, diagnostics, and research has become nonfunctional as a result of the conflict. The National Cancer Institute in Wad Medani, the second largest hub, faced a similar fate as the conflict spread to Al-Gezira State. Patients with cancer have been displaced multiple times in Sudan with grave consequences on the continuity of care, worsening of their disease outcomes and palpable negative impacts on children. The oncology workforce in Sudan have themselves been displaced yet are working hard to provide services and care for patients under impossible circumstances. Sudan's doctors in diaspora have rallied to provide support but they face multiple obstacles. As the conflict continues to spread, we call upon the WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund, St Jude Hospital, and all relevant partners to implement an immediate evacuation operation with urgent air lifts of the affected children to continue their cancer care in neighboring countries as was done in Ukraine and Gaza.

Barriers to access to cancer care for patients from the conflict-affected region of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic: A qualitative study.

Access to essential health services is a basic human right, yet many cancer patients living in conflict-affected regions face multiple obstacles to service use. The (former) Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was a conflict-affected region in the South Caucasus populated predominantly by ethnic Armenians. Multiple acute armed conflicts, the recent military occupation of the region, and the prolonged military blockade of the Lachin Corridor (a humanitarian corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia) exacerbated existing social, health, economic, and political fragilities in this region. As a result, cancer services were disrupted, with limited clarity on how the ongoing military blockade of a humanitarian corridor affected cancer patients' experiences of accessing cancer care locally and in bordering Armenia. Our study aimed to describe the experiences of patients from Nagorno-Karabakh in accessing the cancer care services they needed. We conducted remote semi-structured interviews with adult (aged ≥18 years) cancer patients receiving cancer care from three university hospitals in Armenia and face-to-face interviews with cancer care professionals from these hospitals. Interviews were conducted during the blockade of the Lachin Corridor between March and May 2023. Data were analysed thematically using a deductive approach. Twelve adult cancer patients (9 women) and 12 cancer care professionals participated. A key barrier to accessing cancer services was attributed to the Azerbaijani military occupation of the region and the blockade of a major roadway connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Patients talked in length about the challenges of finding transport and travelling long distances to reach essential cancer services in Armenia. Policies of free anti-cancer medication provision and decentralised medication supply were paused because of the military occupation, affecting patients' timely access to anti-cancer medication. Out-of-pocket expenses for treatment, anti-cancer medication, travel, and temporary accommodation in Armenia placed a significant financial burden on cancer patients, exacerbated by the humanitarian crisis. Conflict-affected regions blockaded by military forces lack the capacity and targeted support to sustain their essential health services and provide care to those in need of life-saving treatments. Coordinated action from national and international organisations and governments is urgently needed to enhance humanitarian assistance and healthcare support to patients, their families and wider communities affected by military blockades and armed conflicts.

The Implications of Strengthening ‘European Strategic Autonomy’ and Its Defence Capabilities for the Growth of France’s Global Importance and Power

France occupies a key position in Europe’s defence and security structures and the promotion of a ‘Europe of defence’ has been one of the political priorities of French leaders since the late 1990s. One of the key initiatives strengthening multilateral military cooperation in the EU is the European Intervention Initiative (EI2), which aims to instil a French strategic culture among Europeans. The aim of the study is to show that France is ‘shifting’ its power ambitions to Europe, which is to become a significant actor in international relations, equipped with mechanisms of political representation and credible military forces, enabling it to conduct a global-scale independent policy. The analysis leads to the conclusion that the strengthening of ‘European strategic autonomy’ serves to preserve a multipolar world, in which France will play the role of Europe’s ‘leader,’ and is expected to be conductive to the development of defence industry cooperation.

The Cossacks’ Involvement in Armed Conflicts in the 20th – Early 21st Centuries: To the Question of the Specifics of the Cossacks as a Modern Military Force

The Cossacks’ Involvement in Armed Conflicts in the 20th – Early 21st Centuries: To the Question of the Specifics of the Cossacks as a Modern Military Force

Military education. A look from security and defense

The education, in the military environment, has different looks for its analysis. Among the possible focuses, they are the aspects of security and defense, being these the spine of the military forces. Starting from an analysis regarding the security and defense in the field of the military education, and applied to the Colombian national context, the present study had as objective to meditate on the formation of the military one, taking as reference scenario the military teaching in the aerospace formation, in a specific way: the Military School of Aviation (EMAVI) and the School of Posgraduate of the Colombian Aerospace Force (EPFAC). In that way, together to the analysis of bibliographical sources on the thematic one, the article presents general considerations on the topic of the security and the defense, followed by a look to the national internal conflict and the experience in the aviator's formation at the present time.

Tactical Network Bandwidth Analysis: Application of the Wearables Model‐Based Systems Engineering ‐ System Architecture (MBSE‐SA)

AbstractWarfighters are often exposed to harsh environmental conditions, and experience high rates of physical and cognitive stress, fatigue, and infections, resulting in the degradation of their health and physical performance. This degradation can have a profound effect on the readiness of military forces. Wearable sensor systems can be used to monitor warfighter physiological and cognitive data, providing insight into their health status during routine military training and deployed operations; however, to enable a real‐time, tactical health and performance monitoring capability, wearable sensor systems must integrate into existing tactical military information networks without compromising network function. We extended our existing Wearables Model‐Based System Engineering – System Architecture (MBSE‐SA) to include a bandwidth simulation to analyze the effects wearable sensor systems have on overall network function specifically for military use cases. Our Wearables MBSE‐SA enabled us to model many notional and existing architectures, which represent the wide range of wearable sensor devices, communication protocols, end user devices, and tactical network nodes typically present in operational environments. By taking advantage of the existing Wearables MBSE‐SA framework and architectures, the resulting bandwidth simulation rapidly assessed several existing military network architectures for wearable sensor system integration and identified where network changes were required. Validating the flexibility of the Wearables MBSE‐SA to incorporate new analyses was critical for the military's ability to explore wearable sensor system trades and evaluate architectures in the quickly changing wearable systems technology domain.

“I Don't Have to Do That Anymore Because I Got Therapy”: Recuperated Veterans and the Complexity of Mental Health Discourse at the End of the Forever War

Memorial Day 2023 was a significant moment in twenty-first-century U.S. military history. Although U.S. service members remained deployed around the world and Operation Inherent Resolve continues to target the Islamic State (in April 2023, the U.S. military and its partners executed thirty-five missions against ISIS in Iraq and Syria alone), this year's celebrations came six weeks after the U.S. Senate repealed the two-decade-old Authorization for the Use of Military Force that had made possible the 2003 invasion of Iraq.1 It was also only the second Memorial Day since U.S. troops left Afghanistan, abruptly and somewhat disastrously, in August 2021. As a result, the holiday was arguably the first in which the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could be understood as having transitioned from “current events” to events whose legacies Americans were beginning to imagine and define.

„Strategiczny Kompas” Unii Europejskiej. Większe bezpieczeństwo i skuteczniejsza obrona UE – plan działań do 2030 r.

A “STRATEGIC COMPASS” OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. STRENGTHENED SECURITY AND MORE EFFECTIVE DEFENSE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION – THE PLAN OF ACTION UNTIL 2030 The article focuses on the analysis of A Strategic Compass for Security and Defence of European Union adopted on March 2022 with the perspective of its implementation over the next 5-10 years. The return of war in Europe due to Russia’s aggression against the sovereign Ukrainian state accelerated the start of an intense debate in the EU on building common military defense capabilities of the EU member states and strengthening the issue of defending its interests. The EU must develop it to act independently and must draw conclusions from recent crises by reducing “critical dependencies.” Can the Strategic Compass become a response to threats in the new constellation of forces in the international order and thus a real project for building its own strategic power projection in international relations? The expansion of military component of the implementation of security policy should achieve an equivalent level of intervention in relation to the economic and civilian activities implemented so far as a comprehensive EU approach to responding to external conflicts and crisis challenges of the modern world. Should the EU be a global military power? The EU’s four main priority activities within its “strategic compass” were analyzed in detail: acting, securing, investing, partnership with NATO and the UN and with the countries of the global South; the EU’s security in the context of China and Russia; the “Strategic Compass”; and the EU’s taking greater responsibility for its own security and defense on a regional and global scale.

National Resilience and State Defense Regarding Papuan Separatism

The question of separatism in Papua has long been a critical issue affecting Indonesia's national security. This research aims to analyze the dynamics of separatism in Papua as well as the state defense strategy implemented by the Indonesian government in an effort to strengthen national resilience. This research uses qualitative methods with a literature study and documentation approach related to government policies, existing conflicts, and community responses. Research findings show that factors such as socioeconomic marginalization, ethnic identity, and colonial history contribute significantly to separatist aspirations in Papua. In addition, excessive security approaches often worsen rather than improve the security situation. In this context, the concept of national defense is not only understood as a military defense effort, but also as an inclusive strategy that promotes just social, economic and political development. This research recommends that an effective state defense strategy must involve constructive dialogue between the government and the Papuan people, recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples, and greater investment in human and infrastructure development. It is hoped that implementing this approach can reduce tensions and support stronger social integration between Papua and Indonesia as a whole.

Character Education in Korean Military

Purpose: This article is intended as a suggestion for the direction that the military character education system should pursue, which is suitable for changing the values of the young generation to the essential values of the military while respecting democratic values. The existing understanding and approaches to the military character education, which has been limited to solving the problems related to interpersonal relationships and military service adaptation within the group he or she belongs, must now be converted into a consistent system that meets the original purpose of military. The new military culture must respect the individuality of its members while integrating individual capabilities into the goals of the military organization. The changes of military culture should begin with changes in the aim and the methods of character education implemented in the military. Method: In that the concept of a soldier's character itself implies intersubjective universality, we would like to examine this article through Weber's ideal type (Idealtypus), which is a social scientific research methodology concepts, a standard concept established based on intrinsic values and universal standards to recognize the diverse and fluid social and cultural phenomena. Taking some into account the Weber’s assertion, the objective validity of all empirical knowledge is based solely on the fact that a given reality is in a certain sense ordered by subjective categories, this study will be conducted by a qualitative approach with literature analysis and materials review. Ideals are subjectivity, but the causality of those Ideals can be objective. Objectivity is the “intersubjective universality,” which refers to whether one's logical process can be valid or not. Objectivity can only be achieved when a value-neutral attitude is maintained, which Weber calls “value freedom (Werfreiheit).” Results: Despite the fact that the mental attitude based on an individual' value system and the externally manifested behavior are not independent of each other, there has been little interest in the relationship between the character of an individual soldier and his will to fight, to the extent that character and mental power are treated separately in military character education. In order to build a soldier's character with mental combat capabilities, the reason and purpose of the military's existence, or the functional characteristics and attributes of the military, must be reflected in military character education. The fact that, while the behavior pursued by a military organization should be purpose-rational, the desirable behavior required of individual soldiers who are members of the military organization is value-rational behavior must be taken into consideration when constructing a character education system. Conclusion: If the purpose of military character education is presented in line with the legitimate and essential values for which the military must exist, military character education will directly and indirectly contribute to improving military efficiency. For a soldier, his or her character is not simply a way of necessary for the adaptation in his or her barracks life and a kind of good interpersonal relationships in it, but also a moral competency that is demonstrated in the battle or the war he or she may carry out. As Weber defined society as a means/end rationality, military organizations also perform their unique functions and use the most efficient and rational means to achieve their specific end. Just as the means/end rationality destroys old traditions, military character education consistent with military identity can most effectively change military organizations.

The role of the Polish Armed Forces in countering terrorism

In the modern security systems of the countries of the Euro-Atlantic area, a very important part is the fight against terrorism, in which the use of armed forces is a very important factor. The purpose of this article was to define the role of the Polish Armed Forces in combating terrorist threats, both within the framework of internal security and international security. The publication presents issues describing the phenomenon of terrorism. The introduction outlines how important the phenomenon of terrorism is in the modern world. Then, the focus was on characterizing this phenomenon, using definitions published in the literature covering the described phenomenon. The next part presents legal regulations regulating anti-terrorist activity in Poland, as well as the location of the Polish Armed Forces in these regulations, along with a description of the possibility of using them to fight terrorist threats. Subsequently, the focus was on characterizing the activities of the Polish Armed Forces in the aspect of combating terrorism, based on examples of their use in the past. The main research problem was formulated: What is the role of the Polish Armed Forces in combating terrorist threats in Poland and what are the possible directions for further development of anti-terrorist activities by the Polish Armed Forces? In response to the question, the following research hypothesis was formulated: The Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland play an important role? In combating terrorist threats both in Poland and within the framework of international actions. In the past, their actions have been effective, but in the face of the dynamically changing terrorist threat, it is necessary to constantly improve the tools and methods used by them, as well as to develop cooperation with other anti-terrorist services and institutions. Verification of the above hypothesis and obtaining answers to the above questions required the use of qualitative methods. For the purposes of the research, the method of analysis of literature, legal acts, Internet sources was used and analysis of data available in literature and internet sources covering the subject.

The Polish Armed Forces as an element of crisis management in Poland

This article aims to characterize and analyze crisis management in Poland, and the participation of the Armed Forces in the crisis management system. The first part of the article presents how the crisis management system was shaped in Poland and what situations influenced its increase in importance. The next part focuses on the characteristics of crisis management, tasks and crisis management bodies based on currently applicable legal acts. The main part presents the role of the Polish Armed Forces as an element guaranteeing Poland's external and internal security. The main research problem was formulated: What role do the Polish Armed Forces play in the Polish crisis management system? The following hypothesis was adopted for the formulated research problem: The Polish Armed Forces are a very important element of the Polish management system, which increases its potential, they take part in preventing and combating potential threats to internal securityand the external state. The study used qualitative methods, and the main source of information was the analysis of legal acts covering the issue of crisis management and the analysis of selected literature, documents and Internet sources.

최치원의 &lt;西川羅城圖記&gt; 연구

Along with &lt;Boannamrok-idogi(補安南錄異圖記)&gt;, Choi Chi-won's &lt;Seocheon-naseongdogi(西川羅城圖記)&gt;, is the oldest recording documents in existence and the only clue to examine the characteristics of the recording documents written during his stay in Tang Dynasty, and in this regard, a precise analysis for each of Choi Chi-won's works is required. Not only this, but the significance of &lt;Seocheon-naseongdogi&gt; is not small in that it can enhance the historical understanding of the Seocheon Naseong(西川羅城), which does not remain today. This paper started from the problematic awareness that despite the fact that &lt;Seocheon-naseongdogi&gt; hold an important position in literature as well as recording documents, its aesthetic value has not been fully explored. This paper clarifies the background of the construction of Seocheon Naseong and discusses deeply the narrative characteristics of &lt;Seocheon-naseongdogi&gt; that are differentiated from other fortress wall construction recording documents. Gobyeon(高騈, 821~887) built a larger fortress wall outside the old fortress to prevent Chengdu from the invasion of Namjo Kingdom, in the third year of the reign of Emperor Geonbu (876), the next year after his appointment as governor in military forces in Seocheon. When Gobyeon reported the completion of the construction of fortress by dedicating the &lt;Seocheon-Naseongdo&gt; depicting the image of fortress wall, Emperor Heejong of Tang Dynasty was very impressed and had Wanghui (王徽), an chief officer in Hallim Academy (818~891) write a writing commending his merits and engrave the words on the monument for his achievements. On the other hand, Choi Chi-won was the local governor in Yulsoo county, Seonjoo in the third year of the reign of Emperor Gyeonbu (876) and entered under the wing of Gobyeon in the first year of the reign of Emperor Gwangmyeong (880). So he was not under the command of Gobyeon at the time of the construction of Seocheon Naseong. In the third year of the reign of Emperor Chunghwa (883), Choi Chi-won read the &lt;Seocheon-naseongdo&gt; and wrote the inscription on his &lt;Seocheon-Naseongdogi&gt;, to record the historical site. The narrative characteristics of &lt;Seocheon-naseongdogi&gt; can be divided into the following three categories. The first is to focus on the description object, the second is to expand the scene by delaying the development of the narrative, and the third is to secure narrative completeness through detailed description. Through this, the narrative focuses on the event of 'Naseong Construction' and focuses on the process and outcome, but delays the pace of the narrative in the scene that he wants to emphasize and expresses it visually as if showing a video. In terms of the connection between the scenes, the probability of the incident was secured by mentioning the construction of the fortress in advance, and by presenting specific information such as proper names in the text through the self footnote without directly exposing them, it had both literary charm and the documentary qualities of the inscription. In addition, by describing in detail the process from the dedication of &lt;Seocheon-naseongdo&gt; to the erection of the monument, it enhanced the narrative completeness and performed the function of filling in the historical gaps. In short, &lt;Seocheon-naseongdogi&gt; focuses on the record of facts, but it also leaves room for it to be savored as a literary work.

Incorporating specific sambo exercises into distance learning for high school students aged 15-16

Background and Study Aim. The military situation in Ukraine necessitates a revision of the school class organization system. Proximity to the military contact line forces schools to switch to online learning. Additionally, there is a decrease in physical activity among school students. In these conditions, it is important to explore the effectiveness of using specific sambo exercises to develop physical qualities in high school students during distance learning. The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of such application of sambo exercises for the development of physical qualities in high school students in a distance learning format. Materias and Methods. The study involved tenth-grade students (n=15), aged 15-16 years. Data collection was conducted through surveys using Google Forms and testing to determine physical quality indicators. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks (with sessions three times a week), during which specific sambo exercises were applied in a remote format during physical education lessons. Results. The study results showed that 80% of the students were interested in implementing a new module - sambo - in physical education lessons. Correlational links were established between the results of the exercises and indicators of strength, flexibility, and coordination. Moreover, there was a significant improvement in the test results for coordination, flexibility, and strength, averaging 20%. Conclusions. The study results indicate significant interest among high school students in implementing specific sambo exercises in a distance learning environment. This is confirmed by the high percentage of students who expressed a desire to practice sambo during physical education lessons.

EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE CADET TRAINING QUALITY

The article considers various conceptual approaches to the conceptualization of educational environments. Its main components are considered. Directions and indicators influencing the improvement of the quality of education are highlighted. Prior directions in the educational environment of military educational organizations of higher education (military education organizations) influencing the quality of military-professional education are defined. Attention is focused on the fact that understanding its main components and the relationships between them will allow us to develop and implement effective strategies for improving the quality of training for military personnel. It is concluded that it is necessary to constantly monitor and study the educational environment to timely adapt its components to modern life conditions that affect the quality of military professional education. The purpose of the article is to identify the components of the educational environment of military educational institutions, the development and improvement of which will lead to the improvement of the quality of military professional education. Method and methodology. The research is based on the methods of studying and analyzing scientific publications, systematizing the studied information, and searching for optimal solutions. Results. The components of the educational environment of a military educational organization, which have a direct impact on the quality of military professional education, are described. Attention is paid to the necessity of continuous improvement and development of the components of the educational environment of a military educational organization, taking into account its variability and dependence on economic, political, and social changes in society. Scope of application of the results. The obtained results can be applied to the didactics of higher military education in order to improve the quality of military professional education.

Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation in Karabakh region: causes and consequences

Purpose: is to discuss the possible causes and consequences of Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation in Karabakh region. Method: comparative analysis, and synthesis. Findings: Azerbaijan is one of few countries which successfully waged a full-scale war against Armenia in order to restore its territorial integrity and conducted impeccable counterterrorism operation of the local nature against illegal armed groups in Karabakh region in order to eliminate separatism and ensure its sovereignty over liberated territories. A set of principles is usually followed to conduct counterterrorism operations, which are intricate and multidimensional, with the goal of efficiently fighting terrorist threats while minimizing collateral harm and safeguarding human rights. All principles of counterterrorism operation were met and Azerbaijan eliminated separatism once and for all and ensured its sovereignty over the liberated territories. What makes this operation different from many operations of the same nature, is that a long-term approach – one of the most important principles of the counterterrorism operations has been applied, where the immediate security concerns were eradicated, the source of separatism was isolated, the ideological extremism was dispelled, the promotion of stability was ensured, left no reason for foreign troops (so-called Russian peacekeepers) to stay in its territory. Theoretical implications: The paper enhances our understanding of key concepts of counterterrorism operations in general and provides new insights for understanding the possible causes and consequences of Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation. The results obtained in the study have broader implications for national security strategies in pursuit of eradicating the similar problems in different contexts. Practical implications: Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation is a typical example for the nations suffering from the same problem. Applying different aspects of this operation as depicted in the paper would definitely contribute to the adjustment of tactics and techniques, reallocation of resources, effective application of new technologies by the nations to eliminate the separatism within their internationally recognized territories. Value: The study presents Azerbaijan’s 2023 counterterrorism operation as a model for eradicating the problems of the same nature in pursuit of peace and stability in different regions, delineates the principles of the counterterrorism operations and explains them in the example of the operation conducted by Azerbaijan Armed Forces. Paper type: theoretical.