Regional Security Research Articles

Asymmetric Security Threats: A Study of the Impact of Illegal Migration on Regional Security in the Mediterranean Region

برزت الهجرة غير الشرعية في منطقة البحر الأبيض المتوسط بوصفها تحديا أمنيا معقدا ومتعدد الأوجه له آثار كبيرة على الاستقرار الإقليمي، تهدف هذه الدراسة البحثية إلى استكشاف تأثير الهجرة غير الشرعية على الأمن الإقليمي في سياق المتوسط، مع التركيز على التهديدات الأمنية اللاتماثلية. ومن خلال تحليل مختلف النتائج المباشرة وغير المباشرة للهجرة غير الشرعية. تتناول هذه الدراسة الإشكالية الرئيسية المتعلقة بتأثير الهجرة غير الشرعية على الأمن الإقليمي. يتمثل التحدي الرئيسي في كيفية تأثير تدفقات المهاجرين غير الشرعيين على الاستقرار السياسي والاقتصادي والاجتماعي للدول المطلة على البحر الأبيض المتوسط. استخدم الباحث منهجًا نوعياً، مع التركيز على التحليل المتعمق بدلاً من التقييم الإحصائي، لفهم تأثير الهجرة غير الشرعية على الأمن الإقليمي في منطقة البحر الأبيض المتوسط، مع الأخذ في الاعتبار الأبعاد السياسية والاجتماعية والاقتصادية. تشير النتائج إلى أن الهجرة غير الشرعية تؤدي إلى زيادة التوترات الاجتماعية والسياسية، مما يساهم في تفشي الجريمة المنظمة والإرهاب. كما أظهرت الدراسة أن التعاون بين الدول الأوروبية والدول المجاورة يمكن أن يكون له تأثير إيجابي في تقليل المخاطر الأمنية المرتبطة بالهجرة

Footprint of soil erosion effects on pedodiversity at different hierarchical levels: A study across China's water erosion-prone areas.

Pedodiversity conservation is critical for the sustainable use of soil resources and the regulation of ecological security. To explore the relationship between pedodiversity and soil erosion over a prolonged history. In this paper, the response of the regional measurement factor for erosion (RMFE) to pedodiversity at different hierarchical levels was investigated using the optimal window method and structural equation modeling on the basis of water erosion-prone zones. The results suggest that variations in the factors used for soil classification at different hierarchical levels was the main cause of spatial heterogeneity in pedodiversity. Significant impacts of the RMFE on pedodiversity occurred mainly in the Middle reaches of Yangtze River low mountains, hills, plains and basins sub-region (IIC), the Southern China low mountains, hills and plains sub-region (IID) and the Southwestern Yunnan middle and high mountains sub-region (VE) at the Group, Subgroup and Genus levels. Notably, at the Subgroup and Genus levels, the impacts of soil erosion begin to be significant in the Wanda Mt and Sanjiang Plain low mountains and hills sub-region (IA), the Zhejiang and Fujian middle and low mountains, hills and valleys sub-region (IIA), and Taiwan plains and mountains of sub-region (IIE). The regional distribution revealed that pedodiversity in the southeast was more sensitive and positively correlated with the RMFE, with parent material, temperature and anthropogenic activities being the main influences. However, the negatively correlated effects of RMFE on pedodiversity were concentrated in the northeast, where the roles of parent material and vegetation were more critical. The findings of this study are of great practical value and scientific importance for the protection of soil ecological functions and the improvement of regional ecosystem quality and stability.

Spatial optimization of agricultural production from the perspective of “Greater Food Concept” in Yangzhou, China

Global food security continues to face serious challenges. The “Greater Food” perspective can guarantee regional food security and the availability of basic agricultural products. However, there is still a lack of an appropriate methodology to optimize the spatial agricultural production system under the concept of “greater food.” In this study, we quantitatively analyzed agricultural production space’s quality and spatial distribution characteristics using multi-scale fusion and ecological niche suitability models. The results showed that The overall level of agricultural production function in Yangzhou was high, with firm spatial heterogeneity, high in the southeast and low in the southwest bounded by the line of Gaoyou Lake. The distribution pattern was closely related to the land use status, urban development, topography, and spatial functional positioning of the national territory. The natural quality of agricultural production was better, and the spatial form was more regular and compact. However, due to the coercion of urbanization and industrialization development, the overall ecological location suitability was average. The suitability around the built-up areas, Gaoyou Lake, Baoying Lake, and the Yangtze River was generally low. Based on the results of the comprehensive evaluation of agricultural production functions and ecological suitability, it could be divided into four areas: core protection area, integration and optimization area, comprehensive improvement area, and restricted development area. We plan to propose a classification and optimization strategy accordingly. The method of this study synthesized the multifunctionality and suitability of land use for agricultural production space identification. In this way, it may provide innovative ideas for delineating agricultural production space in economically developed areas, which could guide the optimization of agricultural production space with high quality.

Managing Risk in the Digital Era: A Generational Approach-Z on Personal Risk Management

Risk management should be applied not only at the corporate level but also on a personal level. As technology becomes increasingly integral to daily life, implementing personal risk management in digital activities warrants examination. This study explores personal risk management within the context of online shopping. It investigates factors influencing personal risk management, including privacy concerns, perceived security threats, and internet self-efficacy. The study focuses on individuals from Generation Z, the first generation to grow up in a fully digital environment. Data were collected through online questionnaires, yielding 972 responses, of which 466 were analyzed further. The data were processed using SEM-PLS. The findings indicate that privacy concerns, perceived threats, and internet self-efficacy directly impact personal risk management, which in turn directly influences purchase intentions. This research offers valuable insights for regulators in crafting digital security regulations, for individuals in evaluating and enhancing their personal risk management strategies, for online retailers in designing robust data security measures, and for researchers as a contribution to the limited literature on this topic.

European Union’s Security Policy in the Digital Age. A Study of the Ban on Russian Media in Response to New Disinformation

This research aims to explore the European Union’s (EU) security policies in the digital culture related to new threats of disinformation. Entering the Russian-Ukraine military conflict in early 2022, the EU believes that European society was facing new threats in the form of disinformation. The EU tightened sanctions against Russia related to the Ukrainian conflict, including sanctions against Russian media. The EU decided to ban the broadcast of Russian TV and Radio stations RT and Sputnik, as well as closing their offices in several EU member countries. This step was taken because the EU accused both media outlets of spreading disinformation and pro-Kremlin propaganda related to the conflict in Ukraine. The research was conducted using a qualitative method. Two theories were used in this research, namely Securitization Theory by Barry Buzan and Communicative Action Theory by Jurgen Habermas. Through Securitization Theory, researchers explore the EU’s action in constructing Russian media outlets as a threat to regional and global security and stability. Using Communicative Action Theory, researchers analyzes the EU’s actions in using certain communication and narratives to justify its policy towards Russian media outlets, and through this theory, researchers also question the legitimacy of the ban. The preliminary findings of this research show that the EU ban is controversial. Many parties accused the EU of restricting freedom of speech and limit the freedom of press. On the other hand, the EU maintains that this step is necessary to combat propaganda and disinformation, which are considered threats to national security and the integrity of the democracy in the EU

ChatGPT: Technology Frontiers and Cybersecurity Challenges

This paper examines the evolution and application of OpenAI's advanced conversational AI, ChatGPT, particularly within the domain of cybersecurity. With an architecture built on the Transformer model, ChatGPT demonstrates significant capabilities in language understanding and generation. It leverages vast datasets, ranging from social media posts to technical documents, ensuring the model adapts to diverse fields and maintains compliance with privacy and security regulations. The paper explores ChatGPT's role in network security, highlighting its proficiency in threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and incident response, essential as regulations like GDPR and CCPA become more stringent. Furthermore, the study addresses potential security risks associated with AI, such as phishing and misinformation, and discusses mitigation strategies through advanced training techniques like adversarial training and multi-task learning. A novel variational autoencoder (VAE)-based method, T-VAE, is introduced, offering enhanced generalization capabilities across different tasks and scenarios. The findings suggest that while ChatGPT has made significant strides in cybersecurity applications, continuous improvements in model robustness and adaptability are necessary to mitigate emerging threats and adapt to evolving digital landscapes.

A system dynamics model for predicting African armyworm occurrence and population dynamics

This study develops a comprehensive system dynamics model to predict and manage African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) outbreaks, a major threat to cereal crops across Africa. We applied system dynamics approache with its archetypes (causal loop diagram (CLD), reinforcing (R) and balancing (B)) to analyse the population dynamics of the pest. The VENSIM modelling platform (Ventana Systems Inc., DSS 8.2) was used to implement the models and carry out the simulations. The research integrates extensive data from 1980 to 2023, encompassing the African armyworm's life cycle stages, climatic variables, and intervention strategies, to simulate potential outbreak scenarios and evaluate the impacts of various control measures. The model demonstrates the ability to accurately capture the solitary and gregarious phases of the armyworm, showing how different climatic conditions influence these phases and affect the outbreak patterns across various African regions. The findings reveal that precipitation and humidity are critical factors affecting African armyworm outbreaks, with variations in these elements significantly influencing the pest population dynamics. Scenario analysis within the model indicates that integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, which combine biological control, cultural practices, and chemical methods, can effectively reduce armyworm populations, and mitigate crop damage. This approach not only helps manage current infestations but also contributes to sustainable agricultural practices by reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. The simulations of the model provide insights into the timing and intensity of armyworm outbreaks and illustrate how different interventions can alter these dynamics. For instance, the study highlights the effectiveness of early intervention and the potential consequences of delayed action, underscoring the importance of timely and informed decision-making in pest management. This research advances the understanding of African armyworm ecology and management by providing an approach that can predict outbreaks and evaluate the effectiveness of various control strategies under different climatic conditions. By incorporating real-world data and simulating realistic scenarios, the model offers a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and farmers in developing targeted, effective, and sustainable pest management strategies. This study stands out for its unique integration of biological, ecological, and IPM strategies, providing a holistic approach to addressing the challenges posed by S. exempta outbreaks in Africa. The implications of this work are significant, offering potential to enhance food security and economic stability in regions affected by the African armyworm, thereby supporting broader efforts to manage agricultural pests in a changing global climate.

A Study on the Impact of Water Resource Tax on Urban Water Ecological Resilience

Urban water ecology has important ecological functions, such as urban ecological security, pollution purification and rain-flood regulation. Enhancing urban water ecological resilience (UWER) is a key approach to advancing urban water ecological governance, and a water resource tax (WRT) is an important measure for protecting the water ecological environment. On the basis of data from 264 prefecture-level cities and above from 2009 to 2021, this paper constructs an indicator to measure UWER and analyzes the impact of a WRT on UWER via the time-varying DID model. The study reveals that the implementation of a WRT significantly enhances UWER, but the effect shows diminishing marginal returns and insignificant long-term effects. However, spatial analysis indicates that a WRT has a positive spatial spillover effect on urban water ecology, enhancing the UWER of surrounding cities. Additionally, the heterogeneity analysis of different cities indicates that a WRT has a notably stronger impact on cities located on provincial borders, resource-based cities and small- to medium-sized cities. This study provides a new perspective on improving UWER and offers important references for further improving WRT policies.

Accurate Paddy Rice Mapping Based on Phenology-Based Features and Object-Based Classification

Highly accurate rice cultivation distribution and area extraction are essential to food security. Moreover, Inner Mongolia, whose slogan is “from scientific rice to world rice”, is an essential national rice production base. However, high-quality rice mapping products at high resolutions are still scarce around the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This condition is not conducive to rational planning of farmland resources, maintaining food security, and promoting sustainable growth of the local agricultural economy. In this study, the rice backscattering intensity difference index from the vertically polarized backscatter intensity of Sentinel-1 and the phenology differential index from the spectral indices of two critical rice phenological phases of Sentinel-2 images were constructed. Other spectral features, including spectral indices, tasseled cap, and texture features, were computed using simple non-iterative clustering (SNIC) to achieve image segmentation. These variables served as input features for the random forest (RF) algorithm. Results reveal that employing the RF with the SNIC segmentation algorithm and combining it with optical and synthetic aperture radar data is an effective way to extract data on rice in mid-latitude regions. The overall accuracy and kappa coefficient are 0.98 and 0.967, correspondingly. The accuracy for rice is 0.99, as proven by empirical data. These results meet the requirements of regional rice cultivation assessment and area monitoring. Furthermore, owing to its resilience against longitude-associated influences, the model discerns rice across diverse regions and multiple years, achieving an R2 of 0.99. This capability significantly bolsters efforts to improve regional food security and the pursuit of sustainable development.

A rating system to evaluate non-GAAP exclusion quality

AbstractWe develop a rating system to evaluate the quality of individual non-GAAP exclusions. Our perspective is that high-quality exclusions reflect nonrecurring economic transactions, are transitory accounting adjustments, or have little usefulness in forecasting cash flows. We use four approaches to rate exclusions. We evaluate the serial correlation of the exclusion, survey accounting academics’ views, obtain practitioner ratings from the CFA Institute, and identify the exclusions approved by the Chinese securities regulator. A firm’s exclusion quality score is the weighted average rating of its individual exclusions. For our sample of S&P 500 firms, we document that exclusion quality varies by industry, captures trends in non-GAAP reporting, and is reasonably stable at the firm level. To validate the rating, we show that firms with lower exclusion quality scores receive more SEC comment letters, incur more Regulation G violations, exhibit greater analyst forecast dispersion, and have slower price discovery following earnings announcements.

Migration Securitisation and National Security in the Regional Security Complex of Nigeria–Niger Borders

Previous studies have argued that the more-than-a-year border closure has failed to curb criminal activities across Nigeria–Niger Republic borders. This stems from the intractability of criminal activities across the borders of Nigeria and the Republic of Niger. As a result, the Nigerian government securities entry and exit of foreigners from the Republic of Niger to justify its land border closure policy of 2019. The government of Nigeria claimed that border closure would address myriads of security challenges emanating from its borders with the Republic of Niger. In contention, the study raised pertinent questions such as: Is securitisation the only framework to control migration? What role could the regional security complex theory play to diagnose, comprehend and proffer solutions to cross-border security problems between Nigeria and Niger? Is migration the real security problem that the Nigerian state needs to combat? How sustainable is border security through the securitisation of migration? With the aid of a secondary source of data, the study argues that dreadful human security implications of banditry, kidnapping and pastoral conflicts across the borders are the product of amity and enmity conditions of security interdependence between Nigeria and the Niger Republic as postulated by the regional security complex theory.

Unraveling the root causes and challenges of organized crime at South Africa’s border posts

South Africa’s border posts are increasingly becoming crucial hubs for organized crime posing serious national and regional security implications with far-reaching consequences. The country’s national security, economic stability, and community safety are significantly jeopardised by organised criminal enterprises at border posts. As a result, the porous borders of South Africa have fostered an environment that is conducive to a variety of unlawful activities, such as the smuggling of drugs into the country and human trafficking. This paper seeks to identify political, economic, and social factors that lead to organised crime, corruption, and weak border management systems. The paper employed a secondary data analysis of existing scholarly articles, government reports as well as relevant case studies. The study found that local communities are most affected by illegal activities at the ports of entry. The findings further emphasize the importance of inclusive approaches in responding to security challenges that address cross-border flow regulation, fight corruption in service delivery, and promote community resilience. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening border controls towards enhancing cooperation between countries and curbing transnational crime networks.

Indo-japanese Relations:from "Spiritual to Special Strategic and Global Partnership "

This article analyses the multifaceted dimensions of New Delhi-Tokyo bilateral relationship in the 21st Century, encompassing the political & diplomatic, economic, defense & security and cultural cooperation. With the signing of a ‘peace treaty’ between India & Japan in 1952, the diplomatic relations between the two nations have been established. Both nations have close economic ties since 1991. They have strong defense and security cooperation since 2008. In the recent years the defense exchanges between the two nations have gained strength because of the issues of peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region. They have also very rich cultural linkages based on Buddhism since 4th Century A.D. Significantly, the recent meeting of the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi with his newly appointed Japanese Counterpart Mr. Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit held at Vientiane, Lao PDR from 10th-11th October 2024 has further strengthened the bilateral cooperation between the two the trusted and strategic partners India and Japan.

Legal basis of regulation of cyber security

Legal basis of regulation of cyber security

Quinolone-mediated metabolic cross-feeding develops aluminium tolerance in soil microbial consortia

Aluminium (Al)-tolerant beneficial bacteria confer resistance to Al toxicity to crops in widely distributed acidic soils. However, the mechanism by which microbial consortia maintain Al tolerance under acid and Al toxicity stress remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that a soil bacterial consortium composed of Rhodococcus erythropolis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibit greater Al tolerance than either bacterium alone. P. aeruginosa releases the quorum sensing molecule 2-heptyl-1H-quinolin-4-one (HHQ), which is efficiently degraded by R. erythropolis. This degradation reduces population density limitations and further enhances the metabolic activity of P. aeruginosa under Al stress. Moreover, R. erythropolis converts HHQ into tryptophan, promoting the synthesis of peptidoglycan, a key component for cell wall stability, thereby improving the Al tolerance of R. erythropolis. This study reveals a metabolic cross-feeding mechanism that maintains microbial Al tolerance, offering insights for designing synthetic microbial consortia to sustain food security and sustainable agriculture in acidic soil regions.

The New Ambitions of Turkey for a Multivector Policy in a Pluralist World

The paper attempts to find an answer to the question of how a successful multivector policy by Turkey would be possible in today’s world of escalating global conflicts. This seems to have been bequeathed by Atatürk, and one could say that RT Erdogan’s mission is to achieve it and pass it on to his successors. This policy helped at the beginning of the Turkish Revolution to defeat foreign troops and establish a secular democratic republic. In the last two decades, it has become possible again in the conditions of the world’s development from a unipolar to a multipolar world. Thanks to this, Turkey can solve its most important national security problems, such as curbing Kurdish intentions for independence and conducting a nationally responsible policy with all its neighbors and especially with the major geopolitical powers. One can say that Turkey’s influence on decisions and actions in the field of security in several regions is testimony to the trend of its transformation from a regional to a great power. Successes in this regard are based on the consistent and uncompromising policy in defense of one’s own national interests, the successful finding of allies in the direction of the “geopolitical wind” and the understanding of the mutual complementarity of various political and economic processes. This analysis has been carried out through the methodology of the theory of regional security complexes.

Importance and Challenges in TPNW Ratification: Regional Analysis of Oceania, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa

The research focuses on the ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which has become an important global issue in international security. The research aims to analyze the factors that influence countries' decisions to ratify the TPNW, as well as to explore the challenges and concerns that individual countries face regarding this issue. The benefits of the research include a deeper understanding of the political, economic, and security dynamics relating to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Results show that complex political and economic interests influence the decision to ratify the TPNW. In Oceania, countries such as Australia and Fiji demonstrated concerns for strategic alliances and regional security. In contrast, smaller countries such as Kiribati and the Marshall Islands prioritized domestic issues and political considerations. In the Americas, the United States rejects TPNWs as contrary to its national security policy, while NATO commitments often bind countries in Europe. In Asia, resistance from nuclear-armed states such as China and India reflects broader geopolitical strategies, while in Africa, many states do not prioritize the issue due to domestic instability. Identified in-depth understanding of how individual states respond to TPNWs in specific contexts. Comparative analysis across regions provides a new perspective in understanding the interaction between foreign policy and non-proliferation issues. The importance of international dialog and a more holistic approach in addressing non-proliferation challenges. Countries' decisions on ratification of the TPNW are highly dependent on their localities and challenges, which include both domestic and foreign policy issues. The TPNW is not only a non-proliferation issue but also reflects the complexity of international relations and national security policies in different parts of the world.

Integrated Transcriptome and sRNAome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Mechanisms of Piriformospora indica-Mediated Resistance to Fusarium Wilt in Banana.

Bananas (Musa spp.) are among the most important fruit and staple food crops globally, holding a significant strategic position in food security in tropical and subtropical regions. However, the industry is grappling with a significant threat from Fusarium wilt, a disease incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). In this study, we explored the potential of Piriformospora indica (Pi), a mycorrhizal fungus renowned for bolstering plant resilience and nutrient assimilation, to fortify bananas against this devastating disease. Through a meticulous comparative analysis of mRNA and miRNA expression in control, Foc-inoculated, Pi-colonized, and Pi-colonized followed by Foc-inoculated plants via transcriptome and sRNAome, we uncovered a significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and DE miRNAs in pathways associated with plant growth and development, glutathione metabolism, and stress response. Our findings suggest that P. indica plays a pivotal role in bolstering banana resistance to Foc. We propose that P. indica modulates the expression of key genes, such as glutathione S-transferase (GST), and transcription factors (TFs), including TCP, through miRNAs, thus augmenting the plant's defensive capabilities. This study offers novel perspectives on harnessing P. indica for the management of banana wilt disease.

Understanding climate security in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific region has gained traction in security discussions that predominantly focus on traditional security concerns of major power rivalry, statecraft and economic security. Less attention is paid to the impact of climate change on the states and societies in the region most exposed to natural hazards and the knock-on effects that a changing climate poses. Although there are varied and unevenly distributed impacts in the region, the perspectives of those located in the region have not gained sufficient attention in academic debates. This article introduces a volume of Third World Quarterly where scholars from within the Indo-Pacific examine the place and priority climate change garners within national and regional security discussions.

Utilising Reclaimed Water for Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Cultivation in Cape Verde: A Detailed Case Study

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is essential for food security, providing economic benefits in tropical and subtropical regions. However, its high water requirements pose challenges, especially in water-scarce areas like Cape Verde. This study hypothesises that reclaimed water (RW) irrigation can promote papaya production and investigates how water can be managed to ensure sustainability and increase agricultural productivity. An experiment was conducted using Carica papaya L. var Solo-nº8, focusing on subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) with RW. Three irrigation treatments were compared, namely, T1: RW with SDI; T2: RW with drip irrigation (DI); and T3: conventional water (CW) with SDI. The study evaluated crop yields and water use efficiency (WUE) over 13 months, monitoring soil and water quality and papaya growth and yields. Despite quality concerns, RW maintained soil fertility and ensured sustainable reuse. Papaya demonstrated high adaptability and productivity under experimental conditions. T1 significantly increased the cumulative fruit yield (69 t/ha) compared to T2 (65 t/ha) and T3 (62.7 t/ha). T1 also had the highest WUE (5.97 kg/m3), demonstrating the effectiveness of RW and SDI in optimising water use. The results indicate that RW can be a viable alternative to conventional water sources, providing new insights into sustainable agricultural practices and improving food security in arid and semi-arid regions.