Digital Commons Network^™

Policing The Favelas Of Rio De Janeiro: Cosmologies Of War And The Far-Right. By Tomas Salem. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2024., Jorge M. Lasmar

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Assessing India-Philippines Defence Engagement: Strategic Alignments And Future Trajectories, Arushi Anthal, Anu Sharma

Journal of Strategic Security

India and the Philippines signed the deal worth USD 375 million dollars for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles in 2022, and the first batch of missiles was delivered in April of 2024. The growing defence cooperation between both nations marks a strategic shift in India’s Act East Policy which was launched in 2014. Within the broader Indo-Pacific framework, this engagement offers mutual advantages in maritime security, counter-terrorism, and capacity building. This research paper explores and examines the strategic relevance of this partnership in lines with the rising assertiveness of China, assesses challenges and identifies potential areas of cooperation. It also …

Threat Perception In Taiwan: Trend And Implications, Christina Chen

Journal of Strategic Security

The rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, driven by China’s growing aggression, have prompted Taiwan to explore ways to bolster its defense and deterrence capabilities. Given that successful deterrence requires the involvement of both military and civilian sectors, the Taiwanese public’s threat perception—specifically, how they view China as a security threat—becomes crucial. This article examines changes in Taiwan’s public threat perception of China. It finds that while Taiwan’s public threat perception has increased since the late 2010s, this shift is more nuanced. External events likely contributed to an overall rise in threat perception, but Chinese coercive actions were associated with …

Growth Of Reusable Space Technology: Commercial Opportunities And Military Advantages, Khyati Singh

Journal of Strategic Security

This paper examines the evolution and implications of reusable space technology, focusing on its impact on commercial opportunities and military advantages. The analysis traces the development from early concepts through the current "third space age," marked by successful commercial ventures like SpaceX and Blue Origin. The study explores how reusable technology has transformed space access by significantly reducing launch costs and increasing mission frequency. It evaluates key technological breakthroughs, including advanced materials, precision landing systems, and improved propulsion systems that enable reusability. The paper further analyses the commercial landscape, discussing emerging markets in satellite constellations, space tourism, and orbital manufacturing. …

Subterranean Warfare’S Strategic Coming Of Age: The Israel-Hamas War Of 2023-Present, Nadav Morag

Journal of Strategic Security

This article posits the question as to whether subterranean warfare, which has been a tactic used in warfare since ancient times, has evolved to being an operational tactic in some contexts (such as in the Vietnam War and some Israeli-Hamas clashes in Gaza prior to 2023) and has now, for the first time, has “come of age” to the strategic level in the Israel-Hamas war that broke out in October 2023. The article argues that the current war in Gaza is one in which subterranean warfare has become strategic because the outcomes of this form of warfare in this context …

Ai-Enabled Terrorism: A Strategic Analysis Of Emerging Threats And Countermeasures In Global Security, Shai Farber

Journal of Strategic Security

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming terrorist methods and counter-terrorism strategies, with far-reaching effects on global security. This paper examines how terrorists use AI for new attack tactics, propaganda, and coordination, while also evaluating the ethical, legal, and strategic challenges AI introduces into counter-terrorism. Through a systematic literature review and qualitative analysis, the study identifies key trends in AI's impact on security dynamics, highlighting its role in blurring the lines between peace and conflict. An analytical framework is proposed to navigate the complex landscape of AI-driven asymmetric warfare, providing practical insights for policymakers and researchers. The study …

The Combination Of All Forms Of Struggle: Insurgent Legitimation And State Response To Farc. By Alexandra Rachel Phelan. Columbia Studies In Terrorism And Irregular Warfare. New York: Columbia University Press, 2024., Thomas A. Marks

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Terrorism And Counterterrorism In The Taliban’S Afghanistan, Jonathan Schroden

Journal of Strategic Security

This article focuses on terrorist groups and efforts to counter them in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover of the country in August 2021. It begins with a brief overview of the most significant international and regional terrorist groups in the country and where these groups stood when the Taliban came to power. It then discusses the efforts of the United States, Pakistan, and the Taliban to counter (or not) those terrorist groups. Specific attention is paid to real or potential cooperation between these efforts. The chapter ends with a discussion of trendlines of the past three years and what those …

Afghanistan, Wargaming, And Human Behavior, John A. Kirbow

Journal of Strategic Security

This article seeks to show how our successes and overall strategic failing in Afghanistan – in particular, the swift takeover by Taliban forces despite two decades of nation-building and partnering – can be a teachable moment. Specifically, how a more realistic, grounded understanding of human nature and decision making, informed by concepts of human incentives, uncertainty, and risk, can assist us in certain warzones. This understanding may be critical in current and future conflicts where the (1) the formal governing system is ineffective, (2) said government tends to be unresponsive to the needs of lower-level leaders and the population, and …

From Uncertainty To Strategic Failure: U.S. Military Interventions And The Complexity Of Nation-Building In Afghanistan, Goddy Uwa Osimen, Oluwamurewa Newo

Journal of Strategic Security

The American occupation of Afghanistan from 2001-2021 is widely regarded as a strategic failure, particularly after the Taliban took over the government in 2021. This work seeks to observe the strategic flaws of the 20-year occupation from the perspective of nation-building within the state. Using the theoretical lens of strategic culture and borrowing from Huntington’s discourse on the clash of civilizations, this article notes that nation-building failure in Afghanistan can be attributed to the ideological differences between the West and the Middle East. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and secondary sources such as books and peer-reviewed articles, the study employs …

China-Taliban Security Ties: A Reimagining Of South Asia's Security Discourse, Amit Kumar Mr., Veena Ramachandran

Journal of Strategic Security

This article examines how China constructs a distinct security discourse on terrorism through its engagement with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Moving beyond traditional materialist interpretations of security, the study draws on critical security studies to explore how China uses language, representation, and institutional practices to frame terrorism and project itself as a regional stabilizer. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has prompted China to expand its strategic presence in South Asia, particularly through economic diplomacy, intelligence cooperation, and regional multilateral and minilateral forums. Through qualitative discourse analysis of Chinese official statements, white papers, SCO documents, and state media narratives, …

Reliance On Local Contractors And Messy Withdrawals: Lessons From Afghanistan, Guido Rossi

Journal of Strategic Security

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 highlighted both American unpreparedness for evacuating large numbers of foreign civilians as well over-reliance on local contractors that made the evacuation a task of much greater proportions. As a result, the United States were forced to renege on its promises of protection to many Afghan collaborators who were left behind exposed to Taliban retribution. However, the U.S. could not only have handled the evacuation and resettlement operation of Afghan civilians much more effectively through better contingency planning, interagency communication, and coordination, but it could also have prevented massive reliance on local contractors through …

Afghan Generational Radicalization, Kaneshka Nawabi

Journal of Strategic Security

Abstract:

This study examines the evolution of political Islam and its role in shaping Afghan generational radicalization. Rooted in a romanticized vision of a "mythical golden age," Islam in Afghanistan has been instrumentalized to justify armed resistance, particularly against foreign invasions. The Soviet invasion marked a pivotal moment, catalyzing ideological shifts and embedding radical narratives. The Taliban's resurgence in 2021 has further entrenched radicalization, amplifying the role of madaris and sidelining moderate Islamic ideologies. By examining the interplay of political isolation, the unchecked expansion of madaris, and the distinct ideological divergences between “Islamism” and Deobandism, this research highlights …

Learning From Afghanistan: The Futility Of Occupation In Nation-Building, Jithin Raveendran

Journal of Strategic Security

This article explores the challenges and failures of nation-building under occupation Amidst an active warfare, using Afghanistan as a critical case study. Over two decades, the US-led intervention sought to establish stability and democracy but ultimately faltered due to misaligned strategies and systemic flaws. Efforts to impose Western governance structures clashed with Afghanistan’s deeply rooted tribal and cultural norms, fueling resistance and eroding legitimacy. The article identifies key shortcomings, including the neglect of local agency, cultural insensitivity, over-reliance on military solutions, and the perpetuation of dependency and corruption. It argues that nation-building by occupying forces is inherently flawed without prioritizing …

Taliban 1.0 And 2.0 In Afghanistan: Same Policies, Persistent Vision, Sharif Hozoori

Journal of Strategic Security

The Taliban emerged as a movement in 1994, toppled the government of the Mujahideen, and ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. They finally recaptured power in 2021 after the US withdrawal from the region. This paper refers to the first Taliban rule as Taliban 1.0 and their second as Taliban 2.0. Taliban 1.0 imposed draconian laws and regulations on women and minorities while harboring regional and international terrorist organizations. Later, the Taliban 2.0 followed its predecessor in policies regarding women, minorities, and sheltering terrorist organizations. Considering this background, this paper addresses whether Taliban 1.0 and 2.0 maintain the same policies …

Dangerous Legitimacy: The Risks Of Normalizing Hamas As A Fundamentalist Terror Group In Western Discourse, Shevach Berkovits, Darnell Downes, Hunter Lacroix, Michael Dobkowski

Journal of Strategic Security

This article examines the dangers of Western discourse misrepresenting and normalizing Hamas, a fundamentalist terrorist group, as a legitimate actor in regional crises and conflicts. It explores Hamas' origins as a global terrorist organization, its history of armed conflict with neighbors and the broader Western world, and its ideological roots in religious fundamentalism and totalitarianism. The article argues that Hamas’ principles and actions are fundamentally incompatible with Western democratic ideals, posing a significant threat to regional and global security. It also addresses the ongoing challenges of "Western washing" Hamas through propaganda spread via social activism and social media. The article …

Cyber Wargaming: Research And Education For Security In A Dangerous Digital World. By Frank L. Smith Iii, Nina A. Hollars, And Benjamin H. Schechter, Eds. Washington, D.C: Georgetown University Press, 2023., Edward M. Roche Phd, Jd

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Cyber Security Of Autonomous Vehicles: The Implications For City Planning, Tegg Westbrook

Journal of Strategic Security

The rise of autonomous vehicles (AVs) has proclaimed positive consequences for urban quality, including reductions in accidents and deaths. As automobiles become digitalized, questions over cyber or electronic threats require further contextualization in urban security scholarship. Focusing on literature on radiofrequency interference of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-aided and -dependent systems, the aim of this article is to consider threats to vehicle safety from electronic interference and the implications for users, city planners, asset managers, and vehicle manufacturers.

While well-known issues such as privacy aversion, tax avoidance, and fraud are documented, it expands on other less-well-known threats to autonomous vehicles …

Understanding The Strategic Value Of The Assassination Of President Juvénal Habyarimana, Jonathan R. Beloff

Journal of Strategic Security

This article examines the assassination of former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana through the utilization of strategic theory. The President's assassination on the night of April 6, 1994, ignited the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which killed up to a million Rwandan Tutsis and non-extremist Hutus within 100 days. While the assassins are still unknown, speculation exists of whether the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) or the former ruling akazu ordered the attack. It concludes that the akazu was the most likely actor behind Habyarimana's assassination, given that the structure of strategic incentives favored its position over the alternatives.

Rethinking Cyber Deterrence: Adapting To The Realities Of The Digital Battlefield, Peter Pijpers, Kraesten Arnold

Journal of Strategic Security

The question of whether deterrence is achievable in or through cyberspace has sparked considerable debate among academics. Over time, arguments have evolved, further entrenching this discourse and moving it out of the mainstream spotlight. This article examines how recent armed conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza may reinvigorate discussions surrounding this issue. It emphasizes that cyber activities can indeed produce deterrent effects while also recognizing the necessity for a new terminology to accurately capture these effects. In cyberspace, traditional deterrent logics—such as deterrence by denial or punishment—along with core principles including credibility, communication, and cost-benefit analysis, do not uniformly apply due …

Subversion: The Strategic Weaponization Of Narratives. By Andreas Krieg. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2023., Chad M. Briggs Phd

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Authoritarian Strategic Alignments In The Ukraine War: Russia, Iran, North Korea, And China, Yasin Çağlar Kaya, Yunus Emre Aydin

Journal of Strategic Security

This article explores how Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea have adapted their strategies during the Ukraine war. Rather than forming treaty-based alliances, they have turned to flexible partnerships shaped by sanctions evasion, arms transfers, and coordinated diplomacy. The framework draws on concepts such as authoritarian solidarity, hedging, norm subsidiarity, and wartime strategic learning, and the analysis focuses on four domains of cooperation: defense industries, finance, information operations, and institutional platforms. Empirical cases highlight Iran’s drone supplies, North Korea’s transfer of artillery and munitions, and China’s provision of economic lifelines, with Russia serving as the central coordinator. These relationships display …

Surveying New Battlegrounds: Ukraine And The Future Of Cognitive Warfare, Chad M. Briggs, Anita Tusor

Journal of Strategic Security

Cognitive warfare (CW) has emerged as a decisive battlespace in modern conflict, shifting the focus from physical terrain to the perceptions and resilience of societies. This article analyzes the Russian Federation's application of CW in Ukraine since 2013, contrasting it with the strategic concepts developed by the People's Republic of China (PRC). Russia's approach, rooted in Soviet-era maskirovka and reflexive control, integrates cyber operations, disinformation, and the use of non-state proxies, including private military companies, organized crime, and the Russian Orthodox Church, to destabilize adversaries and manufacture uncertainty. In response, Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable resilience through a whole-of-society mobilization, effectively …

Urban Operations: War, Crime, And Conflict. Edited By John P. Sullivan, Nathan P. Jones, And Daniel Weisz Argomedo. Boulder, Co: Keypoint Press, 2024., Michael Hampson Phd

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

The Future Of War: Kill-Chain Supremacy And Ukraine's Lessons, Ashley Ruiz

Journal of Strategic Security

The war in Ukraine has reshaped contemporary understandings of how wars are fought and sustained. This article argues that the defining characteristic of modern warfare is not only the compression of kill chains – the sequence linking detection, decision, and destruction – but their diversification and resilience under continuous disruption. Drawing on empirical evidence from Ukraine’s integration of unmanned systems, digital battle management tools, and artificial intelligence, the analysis demonstrates how technological acceleration can yield short-term tactical advantages while exposing long-term structural vulnerabilities. Russia’s extensive use of electronic warfare, hybrid attacks, and adaptive countermeasures reveals that kill-chain supremacy is both …

Ukraine’S Proxy War Against Russia And Its Lessons For Europe, David M. Sip

Journal of Strategic Security

Much focus in the research on the topic of proxies and Ukraine is on the Russian proxies in the Donbas. But Ukraine itself is fielding several proxy groups formed from Russian exiles and minorities such as Chechen's fighting for the freedom of their home. By interpreting Ukraine’s proxy war against Russia as a means of inter-war deterrence this article proposes that Ukraine aims at deterring Russia from a general mobilization and an all-out escalation of the war. The effectiveness of this approach, its limits, and problems are analyzed, as well as the mistakes Ukraine has made in taking this approach. …

Artificial Intelligence In Warfare: The Case Of The Russia-Ukraine War, Baurzhan Rakhmetov, Kamila Murzagulova

Journal of Strategic Security

The last decade has marked the rise and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across various spheres. Nowadays, militaries worldwide apply AI to optimize and revolutionize warfighting tactics. The war in Ukraine has shown how AI-driven technologies enhance traditional military equipment, such as by automating drone take-off, landing, and even targeting. Moreover, AI has begun to play a crucial role in information warfare, enabling both sides to manipulate public opinion, destabilize adversaries, and mislead populations, but also counter disinformation. This qualitative study analyzes the approach to AI integration in information and kinetic warfare by both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, forecasts …

Ukrainian Studies On Terrorism: Contemporary Overview And Thematic Classification, Lesia Horodenko, Yevhen Tsymbalenko

Journal of Strategic Security

This article presents the first systematic and reproducible map of Ukrainian academic scholarship on terrorism (2000–2024). It addresses three questions: what directions the field has developed, which methods prevail across periods and disciplines, and where the gaps lie. The central argument is that clarifying the boundary between media terrorism—amplification via media logics—and information terrorism—manipulative information operations—reorients the field under conditions of hybrid warfare. Methods: systematic search of national repositories and journals; mixed-methods content analysis with iterative thematic coding and periodization (pre-2014; 2014–2021; post-2022). Corpus: n=896 publications. Results: a post-2014 surge and a post-2022 consolidation around hybrid warfare strategies, information operations, …

Energy Weaponization In The Ukraine–Russia War: Sanctions, Rerouting Flows, And Implications For Smaller States, Aysel Quliyeva

Journal of Strategic Security

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine intensified the use of energy as a geopolitical weapon, transforming global energy markets and testing the resilience of states dependent on Russian oil and gas. This study examines the mechanisms of energy weaponization in the context of the Ukraine-Russia war, with particular emphasis on sanctions, the rerouting of energy flows, and the strategic implications for smaller states. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of energy security, hybrid warfare, and small-state vulnerability, the paper integrates policy analysis with trade and price data from 2014 to 2024. The findings reveal that sanctions accelerated Russia’s eastward energy pivot, …

Sea Denial: The Ukrainian Case Study And The Future Of Naval Warfare, Jithin Raveendran

Journal of Strategic Security

This article examines Ukraine’s maritime campaign in the Black Sea as a contemporary case study in sea denial against a conventionally superior navy. Despite lacking a blue-water fleet, Ukraine effectively contested Russia’s naval dominance through an integrated use of land-based anti-ship missiles, unmanned surface vehicles, special operations, and real-time intelligence—including support from Western ISR assets. High-profile incidents such as the sinking of the Moskva and sustained strikes on Sevastopol illustrate how denial can be achieved without parity in platforms or tonnage, reaffirming and extending insights from theorists such as Milan Vego, Ian Speller, and Sam Tangredi. While Ukraine’s methods build …