Security Forces Research Articles

RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE USE OF STATE BORDER GUARD SERVICE ASSETS IN COOPERATION WITH THE SECURITY AND DEFENCE FORCES OF UKRAINE

The article analyses the border guard scholars’ views on the algorithmisation and procedure for the use of State Border Guard Service of Ukraine’s assets, as well as the organisation of interaction with the security and defence forces to counteract enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups on the state border. The article reviews the scientific works on possible options for the use of state border guard units of the state border guard bodies while performing tasks related to state border protection and defence. It is established that the protection of the state border of Ukraine under current conditions is carried out under the legal regime of martial law. The war is ongoing in the East of Ukraine, and the rest of the country has seen a deterioration in the crime situation, and therefore the border guard detachment headquarters must be constantly prepared to work in such circumstances and, particularly, be ready to counteract the enemy’s sabotage and reconnaissance activities. Based on the above, we have identified a number of recommendations for the border guard detachment’s headquarters to organise special measures to search for and eliminate enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups and to involve the defence forces in these actions. Taking into account the latest risks and threats arising on the state border of Ukraine, as well as the approval of the “Military Security Strategy of Ukrain” perspective directions for further work improvement on ensuring reliable protection and defence of the state border of Ukraine and countering enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups on the state border are outlined, which can be reflected in the development of a wide range of algorithms for the actions of the head of the state border guard body, for localising situations of various genesis, as well as organizing interaction with units from the security and defence forces of Ukraine.

An apolitical risk assessment of the 2024 US elections: The threat of widespread riots and significant business disruption

Civil disorder has always plagued humanity, with violence being triggered by real or perceived grievances, rumours and speculation, and internal or external agitators. The risk to people, communities, businesses and the rule of law is not isolated to a particular country or society. The propensity for violence and how it is incited is, however, an evolving threat with the advent of the ‘modern riot’. The causes of violence centre on economic and social injustice, sports- and event-related riots, a reaction to police or security forces and political unrest. As the US nears the contentious 2024 elections, the failing trust in the three branches of government combined with external global tensions and conflict, threats from domestic extremist groups, a rising acceptance of violence as a means of settling political disagreements, hostile nation actors and international terror groups that exploit societal instability create fertile conditions for widespread violence. Exacerbating these factors are the risks from artificial intelligence (AI) deepfake, rapid mass communications, the citizen journalist, prominent influencers amplifying grievances and inflammatory media reporting. This convergence of exacerbators and accelerants for political discord offers the potential for serious security risks and significant business disruption.

GESTÃO DE SEGURANÇA PÚBLICA: DESAFIOS E PERSPECTIVAS PARA A INTEGRAÇÃO DAS FORÇAS DE SEGURANÇA

Public security management is a complex challenge that requires efficient coordination between various security forces. Integration between these forces is essential to ensure an effective response to crimes, disasters and emergencies. The general objective of this study is to demonstrate the importance of integrating public security forces, analyzing their practices, challenges and benefits. Initially, research was carried out on public security management, which demonstrated that prevention is a more effective means than reprimand in security management. And this path led to highlighting the importance of the integration of security forces, proving to be essential for a coordinated approach to public security. To understand the integration of security forces, international models were analyzed, after which the possibility, need and challenges of this integration in Brazil were analyzed. The analysis is supported by a review of relevant literature and contemporary management models.

A physical demands analysis to identify and delineate critical physical tasks for physically demanding US air force occupations.

Military physical fitness tests and standards often lack a scientific basis. Contrary to this traditional-historical precedent, US Air Force researchers use a "Two-Tier" health (Tier 1) and performance (Tier 2) approach to develop evidence-based criterion physical fitness tests, standards, and training. This study specifically and only addresses a physical demands analysis, the first step in a six-step process to develop Tier 2 occupationally specific, operationally relevant physical fitness tests and standards, and training guidance. This study conducted a physical demands analysis to identify and delineate occupationally specific, operationally relevant critical physical tasks for eight physically demanding US Air Force occupational specialties. A comprehensive five part physical demands analysis reviewed duty tasks, conducted focus groups, assessed incumbents, observed operational tasks, and interviewed senior leaders to detail critical physical tasks. The physical demands analysis delineated duty tasks to critical physical tasks for Special Tactics (556 to 40), Pararescue (981 to 50), Tactical Air Control (415 to 44), Special Operations Weather (586 to 50), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (1107 to 39), Security Forces (1286 to 25), Fire and Emergency Services (802 to 39), and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (1099 to 25). The study approach proved efficacious for conducting a thorough physical demands analysis to identify and delineate occupationally specific, operationally relevant critical physical tasks for eight US Air Force physically demanding occupations. Critical physical tasks provide basis for the next overall research process step, developing physical task simulations to link to predictive physical fitness tests and training guidance.

The Humanitarian Tragedy of "Wadas and Rempang Island" Forms of Neo-Colonialism and New-Style Neo-Capitalism and the Collapse of Law in Indonesia

<em><span lang="EN-US">The clash on September 7, 2023, between Rempang residents and security forces (POLRI, TNI), which ended with the arrest of 43 residents, mirrors the conflict that occurred between the residents of Wadas Village, Bener Subdistrict, Purworejo Regency, Central Java, and the Central Java Regional Government on February 8, 2022. The violence perpetrated by security forces against the residents of Rempang Island occurred when the company, escorted by security, unilaterally staked out Malay customary land in 16 traditional villages on Rempang and Galang Islands in the Riau Archipelago, covering an area of 17,600 hectares. This included 10,028 hectares of protected forest, or about 45.84% of the total land area, which they had occupied since 1834. According to the head of Batam Concessionaires (BP), Muhammad Rudi, the Eco City development plan has been underway since 2004. At that time, PT. Makmur Elok Graha and Xinyi Glass Holding Ltd. (July 2023), the exclusive rights holders, became the private entities partnered with the government (September 12, 2023), receiving an 80-year concession from the government. The government's actions of land seizure and violence demonstrate a form of power arrogance that tends toward abuse of power, under the pretext of protecting a 381 trillion investment, while ignoring the rights of citizens as stipulated in the 1945 Constitution and the Basic Agrarian Law. The government's actions represent forms of Neo-Colonialism and Neo-Capitalism occurring during the Jokowi administration. This situation underscores that the law is no longer equal; the law has collapsed, becoming merely a symbol that only favors power.</span></em>

The effectiveness of 0.5 mg and 1mg of semaglutide in patients with type two diabetes and predictors of response: a retrospective cohort study.

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RAs) approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at doses up to 1 mg. The results from randomized control trials and real-world studies revealed that weekly semaglutide was associated with significant improvements in HbA1c and body weight. To our knowledge, no study assessed the effectiveness of using semaglutide for patients with T2DM in the Saudi population. We aim to assess the effectiveness of once weekly SC 0.5 and 1 mg of semaglutide on HbA1c and weight reduction in patients with T2DM in the Saudi population within 12 months of use, evaluate the predictors of response, and compare the effect of the two doses. This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at Security Force Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Using electronic medical records of patients with type two diabetes who received semaglutide 0.5 or 1 mg for a total duration of at least 12 months of use. Within the study period of semaglutide use, HbA1c significantly decreased from baseline by -2.1% (-2.3 to -1.91, 95% CI) (P <0.001). While the mean change in weight was -6.19kg (-6.66 to -5.72, 95% CI) (P<0.001). Moreover, BMI, FBG, total cholesterol, LDL, and TG all decreased significantly from baseline (p<0.001). When comparing the sub-groups of 0.5 and 1 mg doses, although results were numerically favorable of 1 mg, there were no statistically significant differences in HbA1c % (-2.1 ± 1.8 vs. -2.1 ± 1.9, p-value= 0.934, respectively), and weight (-6.1 ± 5 vs. -6.2 ± 4.4kg, p-value=0.837, respectively). Significant predictors of HbA1c reduction were the duration of DM, baseline HbA1c, and insulin therapy. While the significant predictor for weight reduction was insulin therapy. This study is document the effectiveness of once-weekly SC semaglutide on glycemic control and weight loss in real-world practice. We recommend a starting goal dose of 0.5 mg and gradual increase of dose based individual patient response. further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of various semagltude doses.

How and when does perceived organizational politics undermine employee performance? Examination through the lens of opportunistic silence in Indian HPDOs

PurposeThe main aim of this paper is to explore the influence mechanisms of perceived organizational politics (POP) on employee performance (EP). Drawing on the job demands-resources theory (JD-R), this paper investigates opportunistic silence (OS) as a mediating factor and job level as a moderating effect in the POP-OS-performance relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis study’s data were collected from 203 employees working in Indian high-power distance organizations (HPDOs), such as the military, police and security forces. Mediation and moderation analysis were conducted using PLS-SEM, and the moderated mediation index was calculated using Hayes PROCESS Macro.FindingsThe results indicate that OS fully mediates the POP-performance relationship – specifically, POP as a job demand activates OS, which acts as an energy/resource depleting mechanism and further deteriorates task performance. Interestingly, the overall negative influence of POP and OS on EP was stronger for employees at lower job levels than those at senior job levels.Originality/valueThis paper offers a unique set of findings that enrich the understanding of factors responsible for employees’ performance in the highly political environments of HPDOs. By using the lens of JD-R theory, this paper draws attention towards the tendency of employees to indulge in self-serving behaviours like OS in politically charged contexts which is detrimental to their performance and may also undermine overall organization’s productivity. Furthermore, this paper also highlights the conditional effects exerted by job level in the unique nexus of POP, OS and EP.

Improving Crisis Management Strategies in the Nepalese Security Sector

Nepal's mountainous terrain and complex socio-political landscape expose it to various crises. While the security sector plays a crucial role in managing these events, there is room for improvement. This paper examines existing crisis management practices and proposes strategies to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities. Through a review of existing literature and analysis of past crisis response reports, this research examines how Nepal's security sector, facing challenges due to decentralization and neglecting mental health, can improve crisis management. Through a qualitative approach, the study identifies the need for better collaboration between local authorities and security forces, integration of local knowledge and community participation, and investment in technological advancements. Data were collected from reviewing relevant academic journals, government reports, and publications for the last 20 years and interviewing security personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force Nepal (APF) who have participated in past crisis response operations. It emphasizes addressing the mental health needs of security personnel and ensuring gender inclusivity in crisis response strategies. Implementing these recommendations can lead to Nepal's more comprehensive, effective, and resilient crisis management system.

Shifting police strategies: US aid and repression by public safety institutions in Latin America

This article studies the international determinants of extrajudicial police killings in Latin America. Human rights violations by security forces are a problem that has plagued Latin American countries, despite broad democratization efforts in the region. Addressing the problem requires a better understanding of the processes that underlie it. Although existing literature has explored the determinants of police repression in Latin America through country-specific studies, there has been a lack of cross-national analyses. In this article we use original data on human rights violations by security forces in Latin America between 1998 and 2018 to argue that, beyond domestic factors, foreign aid provided by the United States in the War on Drugs era has influenced police repression both by encouraging heavy-handed policies and by driving a substitution dynamic between violations by different security forces.

NGO Support for International Security Force Vetting and Screening

Abstract Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) document violations of human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL) for the purpose of contributing to criminal accountability processes. This requires NGOs to meet criminal procedural standards, often dedicating extensive resources to a form of accountability that is difficult to secure. Given these challenges, this article explores an alternative end-use for NGO documentation of violations: the security force vetting carried out by multilateral organizations and donor governments as part of an international exchange of resources or personnel. In particular, we examine the United Nations system for screening peacekeepers, and national and international systems for vetting foreign recipients of security force assistance. We review the processes and rationale for these international vetting and screening systems, identifying both opportunities and challenges for NGO engagement. We conclude that NGOs seeking to restrict the power and capacity of an abusive security force may find it worthwhile to engage with these systems, which would benefit from the contribution of high-quality NGO documentation.

The Dilemma of Justice: The International Criminal Court’s Political Maneuver

ABSTRACT∞ This article explores the perspectives of Afghan human rights advocates and academics on transitional justice, focused on the conundrum of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan. As a judicial entity, the ICC operates in a political environment. The tug of war of the ICC concerning what party to investigate is a testiment to this claim. In a recent twist, the new prosecutor, Karim Khan, issued a statement that his office would focus on crimes perpetrated by the Taliban and the Islamic State Khorasan Province, thus deprioritizing other parties, including the Afghan national security forces and the US military, that were determined by his predecessor. The Afghan human rights advocates and academics, while supporting accountability, criticize selective justice. The nature of war, the US–Taliban peace deal in 2020 and the collapse of the Afghan government in 2021 have furthered the dilemma of justice.

How the Police and Armed Forces Construct Gender on Social Media: A Comparison of El Salvador and Honduras

Although social media is the new frontier for policing, little research has examined how state security forces construct gender online. To address this gap, we analyzed 315 TikTok videos posted by law enforcement agencies in El Salvador and Honduras. We find that gender is constructed by (1) showcasing (or not) female officers; (2) displaying masculinized and feminized policing practices; (3) advancing gendered ideas through editorial additions. We further find that gendered performances by police vary between the “iron-fist” regime of El Salvador and the “soft-touch” regime in Honduras, while the armed forces of both countries adopt more gender-neutral images.

On the margins of refuge: Queer Syrian refugees and the politics of belonging and mobility in post-2019 Lebanon

This paper explores the dual marginalization of LGBTIQ+ Syrian refugees in Lebanon, highlighting the interplay between national policies on deportation and the crackdown on the LGBTIQ+ community post-2019. Lebanon, home to 1.5 million Syrian refugees—the highest per capita globally—is a case study in how social, political, economic, and legal frameworks do not merely overlook refugee challenges but actively intensify their isolation. Particularly for LGBTIQ+ Syrian refugees, everyday experiences of violence, discrimination, stigmatization, and isolation are exacerbated by these frameworks. In 2022, this situation worsened when Lebanon's Minister of Interior, yielding to pressure from religious groups, directed security forces to disrupt gatherings within the LGBTIQ+ community. Employing qualitative research methods, this study delves into the compounded effects of these policies on the intersectional vulnerabilities of queer Syrian refugees. It examines their perceptions of vulnerability and security, underlining the profound impacts of overlapping decisions on deportation and the suppression of LGBTIQ+ rights.

A movement in exile: the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s survival action frames in the post-coup era (2013–2023)

ABSTRACT On August 14, 2013, the Egyptian security forces raided the Rabaa and al-Nahda sit-ins, marking the largest mass killing in modern Egyptian history. The massacre, aimed at targeting the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood – henceforth MB – did not end its existence; rather, it recast it as a movement in exile striving for organisational survival. Drawing on interview materials, MB media outlets, and a process tracing of key international and regional events unfolding between 2013 and 2023, this article explores the interactive relationship between exile politics and the MB’s survival action frames from a framing perspective. By mapping four successive phases highlighting its organisational trajectories to pursue survival, the article contends that the MB’s survival action frames result from the interactive relationship between failed mobilisation tactics and changes in the MB’s hosting environment which together affected and sustained intra-movement divisions. Following shifts in exile politics and inefficient mobilisation tactics to face the post-2013 Coup, the MB’s survival action frames included the organisational recentralisation of a demobilised and inactive movement and the re-setting of the group’s priorities amid unresolved leadership strife.

The false dawns over Marawi: examining the post-Marawi counterterrorism strategy in the Philippines

ABSTRACT Following the 2017 siege of Marawi, the Philippines’ counter-terrorism approach has grappled with an increasingly fragmented and unpredictable landscape. Despite claims of victory, the aftermath of Marawi underscores the need to reassess and critique the country's counter-terrorism strategy. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the post-Marawi terrorist environment and evaluates the efficacy of strategies adopted by Philippine security forces. While detailing changes in strategy, policy and capacity-building efforts, the paper argues that the focus on the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu has overshadowed broader security concerns, including the resurgence and the proliferation of other rebels. The paper concludes that 7 years after Marawi, while steps have been taken in the right direction, the opportunity to fundamentally reset counterterrorism has been squandered. A more nuanced and comprehensive approach requiring further investment and infrastructure is needed. This represents the first assessment of both the new military and non-military interventions by the Philippine state. The analysis reveals how US security assistance to the Philippines has become more politicized on anti-corruption and human rights issues and how progressive policy changes will be undone if Marawi itself is not rescued from bad governance and the neglect of the community that lost the most.

Soldiers of Fortune, Soldiers of God: Evangelical Mercenaries and the Making of the Rhodesian-American Religious Lobby, 1965–1980

ABSTRACT This article tracks the emergence, evolution, and decline of the Rhodesian-American religious lobby, a transnational network of churches, magazines, lobbying groups, and other non-state actors that operated during the Rhodesian Bush War from 1965 to 1980. Voicing its concerns in religious, racial, and anticommunist terms, the lobby recruited US combatants into the Rhodesian Security Forces and mobilised US evangelicals to press political leaders to recognise Rhodesian sovereignty. By threading together the post-Vietnam mercenary diaspora with waning segregationist groups and the emerging Christian Right in the United States, the lobby significantly shaped US-Rhodesia relations and global far-right politics in the late Cold War.

TERRORISM: THE CHALLENGE OF AVIATION SECURITY

The paper explores a chronological account of major aviation-related terrorist incidents, including the hijacking of aircraft and attacks such as those on September 11, 2001. These events underscore the vulnerabilities within civil aviation security and highlight the psychological impact of such attacks. This study emphasizes the need for advanced technologies and stringent national and international regulations to combat aviation terrorism. It discusses the evolution of aviation security measures, the importance of a holistic approach involving airlines, airport authorities, security forces, and governmental bodies, and the necessity of information sharing and best practices adoption. Additionally, the paper addresses the economic implications of aviation security, advocating for better data collection and analysis to optimize resource allocation and enhance overall safety. The ongoing development of aviation security strategies, driven by evolving threats and technological advancements, is critical for safeguarding passengers and ensuring the resilience of the global aviation industry against terrorist threats.

Sniper Rifle Selection Using Evidential Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making

Some of the main reasons for the uncertainties that are effective in the decision-making processes are imprecision, randomness, and ambiguity. One of the methods to deal with these uncertainties is the DST method. DST stands out in applications, especially with its ability to cope with both random and incomplete information and inconsistency. The main purpose of this study is to compare the results obtained in a previous sniper rifle selection problem with the results obtained by the DST method using EFMCDM and to evaluate whether the results obtained by the two methods are compatible with each other. In this study 4 sniper rifles were evaluated with respect to 6 criteria. From the research findings it was concluded that the DST method provides similar results to the outranking based fuzzy decision-making method for the sniper rifle selection problem. In addition, the results show that the security forces can use the DST method for this type of selection problem. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that the EFMCDM method based on the belief entropy method can be used in many similar selection problems.

Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Agricultural Land Planning

This paper reviews the diverse applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agricultural land planning, highlighting how AI enhances agricultural production efficiency, optimizes resource allocation, and strengthens decision-making quality to promote sustainable agriculture. The article discusses AI's role in land suitability analysis, precision agriculture, integration into decision support systems, and the challenges and limitations of technology, emphasizing AI's significant role in advancing sustainable agricultural development and future research directions. Despite challenges such as data quality, model transparency, and ethical issues, AI's application prospects remain broad, potentially becoming a significant driving force in agricultural land planning and global food security.

The Elusive Promise of “Over-the-Horizon” Counterterrorism

Amid criticism on the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Biden described the future of U.S. counterterrorism as “over-the-horizon.” This term is derived from long-distance radar technology. It implies that security forces will be postured outside a conflict. Once intelligence reveals a plot, they will cross international borders, execute a strike, and prevent the attack. This has been tried before. In the 1980s and 1990s, national security staff advocated for periodic strikes and raids against terrorists. They failed. This article explores these failures. It examines declassified sources to understand risk-benefit calculations by the White House and finds that the juxtaposition of perceived risks associated with a single strike weighed against benefits derived from cumulative strikes makes presidents reluctant to approve over-the-horizon operations.