Special Operations Research Articles

Transregional Security Impacts of the Special Military Operation and Strategic Interests of the United States and China

The launch of special military operations and a new round of Russia-Ukraine conflict are essentially the outbreak of decades of grievances between Russia and the United States over the issue of NATO's eastward expansion. After the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, the United States entered the "unilateral era" and continued to promote NATO's eastward expansion and strategically squeezed Russia, causing Russia's insecurity to continue to rise. At the same time, this Russia-Ukraine conflict also occurred against the backdrop of the United States’ comprehensive advancement of strategic competition with China. By hyping up the joint statement issued by China and Russia in February 2022 and spreading rumors about China's advance knowledge of its actions against Russia, the United States is trying to direct international pressure on China. Although China is not a party to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the deep-seated impact of the conflict on the global political, economic, and security landscape has gradually spread to China-US relations, and several sets of "big triangle" relationships involving China, such as China-US-Russia, China-US-Europe, and other groups of China-US-EU, are also facing profound adjustments. Globalization and regional security have been further frustrated by geopolitical conflicts, the "economic war" and "political war" between major powers have been deepened, the status of the United Nations has been declining day by day, and the global arms race has suddenly intensified. Based on the Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT), this paper comprehensively analyzes the regional and global impacts of special military operations, geo-security contradictions, and the conflict of interests between the two most important world powers, China and the United States. The Russia-Ukraine conflict will continue to affect the adjustment of strategic interests among major powers, and the prospects of China-Russia cooperation and the Asia-Pacific region will determine the direction of the evolution of the future world pattern.

The Position and Political Discourse of Russian Parties in Latvia and Estonia in the New Geopolitical Reality

The study analyses the position and political discourse of Russian parties in Latvia and Estonia in the context of the special military operation in Ukraine. The analysis is conducted along the lines of interaction of Russian parties with one another, as well as with the government, the Russian diaspora and Russia. The empirical basis of the study is the data of the central election commissions of Latvia and Estonia. The speeches of Russian party leaders about the special military operation are also analysed. The main differences in the representation of the ethnic component of the discourse in the preelection programmes were revealed. Based on this, conclusions are drawn about the different degree of ethnic identity of parties as a criterion reflecting the degree of positioning of a political force as a representative of the interests of a national minority. It was recorded that Russian parties are characterised by different rhetoric regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Some parties preferred silence or neutrality, while the largest Russian parties in the 2000s (“Harmony” and the Estonian Centre Party) chose a hostile stance towards the Russian government. This fact together with the low representation of the ethnic component in their programmes was an important factor that significantly reduced their electoral support in regions with Russian population and in the country. At the same time, the process of fragmentation of the Russian electorate is taking place in the countries under consideration due to the growing number of political actors articulating its interests.

U.S. vs. Russia: Cyber «Drang nach Osten»

In June 2022, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command, Paul Nakasone, disclosed that his soldiers had conducted offensive cyberattacks against Russia before the Special military operation in Ukraine began. These so-called “hunt forward” operations are part of USCYBERCOM’s doctrine of persistent engagement. This doctrine involves the personnel of the Cyber Nation Mission Forces deploying to partner countries to work with their cyber defenders in their most critical networks and computer systems. Their mission is to search for and degrade enemy activities, while also researching their tools and tactics in cyberspace. This doctrine is one of Nakasone’s key innovations in Cyber Command’s course of action. Previously, U.S. cyber operations required authorization from the U.S. President. This restriction made actions like persistent engagement and hunt forward operations nearly impossible, as they require extensive activities within other countries’ networks even before a cyberattack is prepared. It is impractical to expect the President to approve every such request. Nakasone changed this by removing the requirement for presidential authorization. Today, this allows Cyber Command to conduct such operations - both defensive and offensive - much more broadly, and they are taking full advantage of this opportunity. The problem lies in the sphere of international law - both in the field of the law of war (jus in bello) and the right to war (jus ad bellum). U.S. politicians often claim that cyber operations can achieve strategic goals without crossing the threshold of armed conflict. In any other domain actions with similar effects could provoke war but not in cyberspace. This feature is its main advantage and the reason the U.S. sabotages other countr ies’ initiatives (particularly Russian) to establish a legal regime for state use of cyberspace. However, there is no consensus among U.S. specialists about the legal basis that legitimizes such operations against another country, both internationally and domestically. Yet, this ambiguity seems to work in the U.S. favor. In fact, U.S. soldiers have attacked another country’s (Russian) territory and this has not led to a direct war between Russia and the U.S. U.S. officials consider the hunt forward operation experience in Ukraine as both successful and useful for refining U.S. strategies in cyberspace, including the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the DoD Cyber Strategy. They plan to use such tools more broadly against Russia. Currently, the U.S. is actively working in the Post-Soviet area against Russia to disrupt Russia’s national interests. Among other things, Washington is attempting to coerce Central Asian states into alignment with U.S. interests. Hunt forward operations are an obvious tool of the United States, which Russia will most likely have to counteract there.

Russia — Latin America. Military-technical factor in the context of the special military operation

Russia — Latin America. Military-technical factor in the context of the special military operation

Defense and Security Issues in the Arctic in the Context of the Ukrainian Crisis

Currently, the Arctic region is experiencing a political crisis associated with a sharp limitation of the Arctic Council activities. The complex geopolitical situation was initiated unilaterally by the states of the collective West, which consistently led to a new strategic confrontation between Russia and NATO. The article analyses the main trends and activities of the members of the North Atlantic Alliance in the Arctic, which directly indicate the formation of policies and tools to contain Russia in the region. The author emphasises that Sweden and Finland's NATO accession increases tension, creates challenges and threats to the Russian national security in the light of the international military development. The consistent growth in the activity and presence of NATO in the region after the start of the special military operation (SMO/SVO) is traced and detailed. It is stated that the potential opportunities for Russia-NATO dialogue in the Arctic are decreasing. The article examines the Russian Federation's response measures to strengthen national security in the region. The author makes a conclusion that there is the need for improvement a comprehensive system for monitoring the situation in the Arctic in order to negate the possibility of incorrect interpretation of military activity in the context of the current phase of crisis. It is indicated that the further affairs in the Arctic are closely dependent on the results of the SMO.

"Invisible Force" or Diplomatic Powerlessness? (American Diplomacy Through the Eyes of CIA Director William Burns)

The memoirs of William Burns, the American diplomat and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, paint a wide panorama of U.S. foreign policy. These memoirs are particularly relevant because they document the role of the United States in destabilizing the world order that emerged following the Second World War, including its participation in fomenting crises in the post-Soviet space that led to the development of the Ukrainian crisis and the beginning of a special military operation by Russia. The memoirs are not only the testimony of an informed eyewitness but also a valuable source on the modern history of international relations, since they are supplemented with declassified diplomatic documents of the American State Department. These documents, now part of the academic record, clarify both the patterns of American foreign policy behavior and the destructive role of the United States in numerous crises, many of which, according to the documents presented, were predicted by W. Burns as inevitable long before the escalation occurred.

The Authentic Learning of Humans Is a Creative Process and Very Different from the Artificially Creative Output of AI

ABSTRACTThis article examines theories which suggest that authentic learning requires creativity. The connection between creativity and learning has been recognized for quite some time. Several of the theories examined herein are decades old. The older theories include Piaget's and Dewey's, and less obviously the humanistic theory of self‐actualization. It is quite useful to take these perspectives, though older, into account. The idea of authentic learning has evolved, however, as is evidenced by newer theories. One of these is the theory of personal creativity. This theory is interpreted in the context of the previous perspectives on learning and creativity. Newer evidence from the neurosciences is also cited because it confirms that learning is more than memory and that the brain uses special operations when original ideas are constructed. Implications of the idea that creativity and learning are related are explored. These include suggestions for educators and the classroom. Several surprising implications for our understanding of AI are also explored. Most important is probably the conclusion that an appreciation of what exactly makes up authentic learning goes a long way towards distinguishing the artificial creativity of AI from the creativity of humans. It is the latter which should guide educational decisions.

The main scientific and practical results of the study at the Military Medical Academy of combat pathology during the Special Military operation

The development of problems of combat pathology is a constant focus of scientific interests of scientists of the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy. With the beginning of a Special military operation, it received a new impetus for development both due to the large clinical material and due to changes in the structure and nature of modern combat pathology. The relevant teams have joined forces to develop the most priority tasks. Based on the analysis of the mortality of wounded on the battlefield, the principles of “tactical medicine” were developed and implemented in practice, aimed at combating the most common causes of death at the pre-hospital stage, and training cycles for instructors for the whole country were organized in the established Center for Tactical Medicine. Principles of anesthesia and shock control at the stages of medical evacuation have been developed. Based on the study of the structure of combat surgical pathology, the tactics of screening diagnosis of hidden injuries during medical triage are proposed, the principles of staged surgical treatment of wounds (the principle of damage control) are clarified, an integrated system of treatment of wounded with injuries of the musculoskeletal system is developed. At the hospital stage, improved methods for the prevention of thromboembolic complications, treatment of phantom pain syndrome, and stress-associated mental disorders are proposed. The spectrum of wound infection pathogens and existing antibiotic resistance has been studied, new wound dressings have been developed. A prototype of the system of professional psychological selection and support of operators of unmanned aerial vehicles has been formed. Guidelines on military field surgery and military field therapy have been developed, more than 50 methodological recommendations on the most in-demand issues of organization and provision of medical care. Thus, in a little more than 900 days, the scientists of the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy has carried out a huge amount of work only in scientific terms, introducing the results into the practice of military doctors. This makes it possible to achieve the best performance indicators of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in comparison with previous conflicts.

Numerical Study of Biomass Combustion Using a Transient State Approach

The behavior of the temperature and velocity, as well as the mass fraction of water (H2O) and wood inside a combustion chamber under specific operating conditions, were numerically investigated using a transient state model. For the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, the software Ansys Fluent 2024 R2 was used to analyze a turbulent flow in two dimensions. The species transport with volumetric responses and eddy dissipation were included in the combustion simulation. The study was conducted for the first 150 s. The findings show that in the lower and upper zones of the combustion chamber close to the walls, the temperature rises over time. The velocity between the outlets rises over time. Due to the fact that the wood goes through a process that reduces the amount of wood and produces H2O, it exhibits the opposite behavior for the mass fractions of wood and H2O.

Comparative characteristics of the Standard&Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch ratings

The activities of the leading international credit rating agencies Standard&Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s and Fitch, peculiarities of their work and existing differences have been considered. The relevance of the study lies in the comparative characterization of the listed agencies in the current conditions of the anti-Russian sanctions expansion and their strengthening after the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine. The purpose of the study is to compare the activities of the world’s leading rating agencies S&P, Moody’s and Fitch in modern conditions. The subject of the study is the peculiarities of these agencies’ activities and changes that have occurred in the conditions of the anti-Russian sanctions. To achieve the set goal the following tasks have been set: the leading credit rating agencies’ activities analysis, comparison of their methodological approaches and the scales used to assess the credit rating of countries. The conclusions about the place and important role of international credit rating agencies in the modern world financial system, differences in the assessments made by the agencies, the specific attitude of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch to the credit rating of Russia in the current conditions of the anti-Russian sanctions expansion and the special military operation have been presented.

Wounds and Vulnerabilities. The Participation of Special Operations Forces in Experimental Brain-Computer Interface Research.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) exemplify a dual-use neurotechnology with significant potential in both civilian and military contexts. While BCIs hold promise for treating neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the future, military decisionmakers in countries such as the United States and China also see their potential to enhance combat capabilities. Some predict that U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) will be early adopters of BCI enhancements. This article argues for a shift in focus: the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) should pursue translational research of medical BCIs for treating severely injured or ill SOF personnel. After two decades of continuous military engagement and on-going high-risk operations, SOF personnel face unique injury patterns, both physical and psychological, which BCI technology could help address. The article identifies six key medical applications of BCIs that could benefit wounded SOF members and discusses the ethical implications of involving SOF personnel in translational research related to these applications. Ultimately, the article challenges the traditional civilian-military divide in neurotechnology, arguing that by collaborating more closely with military stakeholders, scientists can not only help individuals with medical needs, including servicemembers, but also play a role in shaping the future military applications of BCI technology.

On the participation in the defense of the Fatherland of persons in conflict with the criminal law. Critical analysis

The article examines the experience of legal regulation of relations to attract persons who have come into conflict with the criminal law to participate in a special military operation. It is proved that along with the understandable utilitarian purpose of the Federal Law No. 64FZ dated 03/23/to ensure the recruitment of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, criminal law goals should be taken into account. From these positions, the decision of the legislator on the admissibility of exemption from criminal liability and (or) from punishment of persons who have committed serious and high crimes is considered. In this regard, the authors consider the selectivity, preliminarity and finality of liberation.

The dynamics of volatility spillovers among Russian economy sectors

Volatility is an indicator of the risk existing in the economy, and its volume characterizes the magnitude of risks transmitted from one sector to another. The objective of the study is to determine the dynamics of volatility spillovers among sectors of the Russian economy during crisis periods and classify sectors into shock transmitters and shock receivers. The daily returns of the Moscow Exchange sector indices for 2018-2023 acted as data. The Diebold-Yilmaz methodology based on the VAR model is used to determine the dynamics of volatility spillovers. The study has revealed that the nature of volatility spillovers differs in the pre-crisis period, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and during the special military operation (SMO). The financial sector is a source of volatility spillovers in the first and the last periods. During the pandemic, the oil and gas and transport sectors become volatility receivers. During the period of the SMO, the metallurgy and petrochemical sectors act as receivers of volatility spillovers, while the consumer goods and financial sectors act as their sources.

Trends in Bacterial Distribution and Antimicrobial Resistance in Intensive Care Units of Hubei Province, China: A Four-year Surveillance Study (2020-2023).

To investigate the distribution characteristics of common bacteria and changes in antimicrobial resistance in intensive care unit (ICU) patients in 58 hospitals in Hubei Province from 2020-2023. The antimicrobial agents for antimicrobial susceptibility tests was selected based on the 2022 China Antimicrobial Resistance surveillance system (CARSS) technical scheme, and the specific experimental operation was based on the requirements of the CLSI M02 and M07 documents. The commercial instruments were used following the manufacturer's instructions. The interpretation of antimicrobial susceptibility test results was based on the 2023 CLSI M100 standard. There were 15 585, 19 258, 23 423 and 22 395 clinical isolates in the ICU from 2020 to 2023, respectively. Among them, gram-positive bacteria accounted for 20.5% (3190/15 585), 21.2% (4089/19 258), 21.6% (5067/23 423) and 21.6% (4 831/22 395), respectively. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 79.5% (12 395/15 585), 78.8% (15 169/19 258), 78.4% (18 356/23 423) and 78.4% (17 564/22 395) of the bacteria, respectively. The top 5 isolates of gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and gram-negative bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophil, respectively, but the proportions and rankings of the isolates in different years slightly differed. The detection rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) decreased from 44.4% in 2020 to 36% in 2023, and that of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MRCNS) decreased from 79.8% in 2020 to 73.8% in 2022 and increased to 78.4% in 2023. The detection rates of both vancomycin-resistant E. faecium and E. faecalis were lower than 1%. The detection rate of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) decreased from 25% in 2020 to 19.7% in 2022 and increased slightly to 20.6% in 2023. The detection rate of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) decreased from 81.9% in 2020 to 79.7% in 2022 and increased to 82.9% in 2023. The detection rate of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli decreased from 59.8% in 2020 to 53.1% in 2022 and increased to 52.5% in 2023. The detection rate of fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli decreased from 62.7% in 2020 to 50.2% in 2022 and increased slightly to 51.0% in 2023. The detection rate of carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CRECO) decreased from 3.3% in 2020 to 1.8% in 2022 and slightly increased to 2.1% in 2023. The detection rate of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant K. pneumoniae decreased from 34.3% in 2020 to 26.3% in 2022 and then increased to 32.4% in 2023. The detection rate of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKPN) increased from 17.9% to 19.4% in 2020, decreased to 13.2% in 2022, and rose sharply to 20.4% in 2023. MRSA showed a continuous downwards trend from 2020 to 2023, while the detection rates of MRCNS and most multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria continuously decreased from 2020 to 2022 but tended to increase in 2023. Therefore, it is still necessary to strengthen the monitoring of bacterial resistance and rational application of antibiotics and actively and effectively control nosocomial infections.

Analysis of the entrepreneurial process at the level of the entity by reporting to coaching

Successful entrepreneurship occurs when creative people put together a new way to satisfy needs by identifying new market opportunities. This is done through a patterned process that mobilizes and directs resources to deliver a specific product or service to customers using a go-to-market strategy that presents investors with building sustainable revenue streams and profitability. The design of a product and specific operations require the application of sustainability criteria at the level of energy and material consumption, contributing to the elimination of unfair social impact due to the company’s operations, including its impact on the supply chain.

A Review on Multipurpose Agri Robot

A Multitasking robot for the field of Agriculture has been studied in this research. Now a day, precision agriculture by agricultural robots is the newly emerging technology in agriculture sector to save the time and energy that is wasted in repetitive farming tasks automation in farming processes is quite helpful. To design these sorts of robots there should be certain considerations and particular approach considering the agriculture environment in which it will be working. The working of an autonomous robot is based on field parameters i.e. length and width. Prototype of an agricultural robot “Agri-Bot” is modeled for multitasking such as seeding, ploughing and harvesting with a separate irrigation system. It is a four wheeled vehicle which is controlled by ATMEGA328 microcontroller as master controller, Humidity sensor for irrigation, power supply is provided by solar panel which is eco-friendly to the environment. It will also help in decreasing the use of nonrenewable sources of energy and will not pollute the environment. Other accessories are slaves performing specific operations.

Satisfaction of Russians with Different Aspects of Life: Ten-Year Trend Against the Background of Socio-Economic Crises

The materials of the ten-year all-Russian monitoring by the Institute of Sociology of the Federal Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences are used to analyse the most important part of the subjective well-being of Russians – their satisfaction with various aspects of their lives. Particular attention is paid to changes associated with such events as the Crimean Spring, the coronavirus pandemic and the special operation in Ukraine. Each of these crises has affected Russians’ satisfaction with different aspects of their lives to varying degrees, but the crisis that began in 2022 has a number of unique features. Although the confrontation with the “collective West” has entered a phase of particular aggravation since this year, the socio-economic crisis associated with it is experienced by Russians much more easily than the similar crisis of 2014–2016. The dynamics of indicators in 2022–2024 demonstrates a qualitatively new phenomenon – the absence of protracted declines in indicators after the onset of a large-scale crisis. The sharp “surge” of emotional negativity in early 2022 was quickly overcome, Russian society consolidated, which was facilitated by the general positive changes in various spheres of life of Russians over the past decade. First of all, this concerns the characteristics related to the standard of living of Russians. At the same time, other characteristics of both the everyday life of the population and their employment, as well as those related to their provision with public goods, have also improved. However, it is too early to talk about significant positive changes in the quality of life of the mass strata. More noticeable improvement of satisfaction is observed in those spheres that are more closely connected with the efforts of the country’s citizens themselves, while the picture is less optimistic with those aspects that are more dependent on the state.

The genesis of methods and tools of counterintelligence activities of a national special service: historical experience and prospects

The article provides a historical analysis of the methods and tools of intelligence and counterintelligence activities exploited by the national intelligence service in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, in the period of the Cossacks and the formation of the Ukrainian Cossack-Hetman State. The priority goal is to establish dialectical connection between the effective tools of countering the aggressor of that period and nowadays. The relevance of the article lies in the study of the counterintelligence activities of the national intelligence service of that period, the transformation of the relevant units and their powers from the Cossack period to nowadays, as it was set up in the context of the national liberation war in confrontation with external enemies. The author highlights the historical aspects of counterintelligence activities of the period under study, in particular, the methods and tools that are used in conducting naval campaigns. The article is allocated to the study of the formation and evoluation of counterintelligence activities in historical aspects, the fundamental tactics of warfare of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries during successful naval operations in the context of retrospective changes in national special services, as well as the opportunity to use the Cossacks’ experience in the modernisation and transformation of counterintelligence tools in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war of the twenty-first century. The researchers have introduced a historical parallel between the powerful Cossack «Gull» boats and the «SeaBaby» unmanned surface vehicles and «Mamai» high-speed maritime drones that are used by the Security Service of Ukraine in the Black Sea to repel the aggressor. The aspects of the genesis of counterintelligence methods and tools have been outlined in the study. They depict overt and covert methods and techniques of intelligence and counterintelligence, that have been used in the fight against the enemy in various forms since ancient times and have undergone long changes. It has been mentioned that the results of studying the history of the formation and functioning of national special services are of empirical impact. They can be used to improve and enhance the activities of the Security Service of Ukraine in modern realities, to conduct effective counterintelligence activities and special operations in the context of war with the aggressor and to adjust the national security strategy.

Assessing lead exposure in special operations military police: contamination patterns from bulletproof vests and ammunition

This study investigated lead exposure in military police officers involved in “Special Operations”, focusing on lead contamination from bulletproof vests and ammunition. The study’s objective was to evaluate lead exposure among military police officers using different types of ammunition by analyzing lead levels in bulletproof vests and identifying contamination patterns. Methods: The methodology included lead level analysis in bulletproof vests and ammunition, using descriptive and cluster analyses to assess lead level distribution and grouping. Results: The findings revealed that all vests had lead levels exceeding the limits established by NR-15 and OSHA, indicating exposure to the toxic metal from firearm residue contact. The cluster analysis identified contamination patterns related to manufacturing and material differences. Conclusion: The study highlighted the need to review safety and occupational health practices within police forces. Recommendations included regular equipment cleaning and maintenance, vests replacement, and use of less toxic ammunition. Training on lead exposure risks and occupational hygiene measures was essential to reduce exposure. Protecting officers’ health was emphasized as crucial to ensure that protective measures do not become health hazards.

Adoption of Eco-Friendly Waste Reduction Practices in the Clothing Retail Sector in Cape Town

The fashion and textile industry significantly contributes to environmental degradation through unsustainable manufacturing and waste disposal practices, particularly in South Africa's retail sector. This study examines the retail merchandise cycles of two prominent clothing retailers based in Cape Town, South Africa to identify stages that generate substantial fashion and textile waste and proposes a model to enhance sustainability within the industry. Adopting a qualitative, interpretive research paradigm, data were collected through purposive sampling and in-depth interviews with key personnel, primarily buyers, within the selected companies. The research involved mapping and analyzing each retail cycle phase to identify excessive waste generation points. The findings revealed that retailers produce considerable amounts of waste (pre- and post-consumer) due to fast fashion practices and insufficient recycling systems. While both companies acknowledged the importance of sustainability, there was a notable lack of concrete policies and limited visibility into supplier processes concerning environmental impact. The study identified specific departments and operations within the retail cycles responsible for significant waste production, highlighting the need for systemic changes. Based on these insights, an improved retail cycle model was developed emphasizing waste reduction through sustainable sourcing, enhanced recycling initiatives, and stricter supplier compliance measures. The proposed model aims to minimize environmental harm by integrating sustainability into all aspects of the retail process.