Defense and Security Studies Commons^™

The Potential Impact Of Simulation Based Learning In The Kosovo Security Force, Brikena Avdyli, Arbesa Zenuni

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

As the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) undergoes a strategic transformation into a fully operational military force, the need for modern and adaptive training methods has become increasingly urgent. While recent investments have focused on personnel growth, weapon procurement, and defense infrastructure, the integration of simulation-based learning (SBL) into training programs has not yet been considered. This study explores the potential of SBL - particularly virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and wargaming - as a tool for enhancing the readiness and adaptability of KSF personnel. Drawing on existing literature, the study evaluates the benefits and challenges of each technology in …

Itegration Of Emerging Technologies In Cybersecurity Education, Dimitar Bogatinov, Nevena Serafimova, Aleksandar Petrovski, Andrej Iliev, Biljana Karovska

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) are revolutionizing cybersecurity education by offering immersive, interactive learning experiences tailored to the tech-savvy Generation Z and Alpha learners. Traditional educational methods are increasingly inadequate for preparing students to navigate the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.

Virtual labs, AI-driven tutors, and cyber training environments create dynamic learning opportunities where students can engage in realistic simulations to develop critical skills in threat detection, response, and mitigation. However, challenges such as high implementation costs, rapid technological advancements, and a shortage of qualified instructors complicate the integration of these technologies.

Despite these challenges, …

Military Academic-Scientific Production In Times Of Generative Ai: Ethical Boundaries And Challenges For Strategic Stability, Arlindo J. Barros Junior, Rômulo F. Santos, Weslei J. Batista

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

The adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies, which includes Artificial Intelligence (AI), has driven profound transformations across various sectors and in human behavior in recent years, permeating nearly all fields of knowledge. In this context, the use of AI as a tool to support academic-scientific production cannot be considered an exception. Additionally, there is a growing need for AI literacy for its users, for regulation and for the establishment of criteria to ensure these technologies are employed ethically and responsibly. In light of this global trend, the Brazilian Army has been seeking ways to regulate, manage, and optimize the use …

Simulation-Based Learning In Security Studies: A Rubric-Guided Approach To Nato–Russia Dynamics On The Korean Peninsula, Travis Morris, Yangmo Ku, Maggie Mitchell

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This article examines the implementation and efficacy of a team-taught simulation-based learning series designed to deepen students’ understanding of NATO–Russia interactions on the Korean Peninsula. Drawing on the principles of Bloom’s Taxonomy and guided by a comprehensive rubric, this framework provides a structured, progressive approach to developing learners’ analytical, evaluative, and creative competencies. Through six sequential simulations using the SEERIST platform—culminating in strategic policy recommendations—students enhance their ability to recall foundational knowledge, apply complex concepts, analyze multifaceted scenarios, evaluate diverse outcomes, and propose innovative solutions. The article discusses theoretical underpinnings, the design and implementation of the simulation series, the associated …

‘Reflective Learning’ – Teaching The South African Military Academy Way, Jean Pierre Scherman Dr

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

Professional military education for young officers within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has since 1950 been vested within the South African Military Academy (SAMA), Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University. As an all services academy, the SAMA houses student from all four arms of service that constitute the SANDF, namely the South African Army, Navy, Air Force and Medical Health Services. With such a vastly different student body, the five schools within the SAMA correspondingly cover an extremely varied field of study ranging from military law and military management to military psychology all the way to more traditional …

Modernizing Military Education In Kosovo: From Theory To Practice Through Innovation And Technology, Linda Ziberi, Dardan Syla

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This paper examines the need for Kosovo's Military Academy (KMA) to modernize its education system, particularly its necessity to transition from a theory-based methodology to more modern and innovative teaching and training approaches that incorporate advanced technology. Despite ongoing institutional development, the Kosovo Military Academy continues to rely on traditional teaching methods, which limits its capacity to prepare cadets for the demands of modern military operations. Barriers such as limited funding, outdated infrastructure, and resistance to pedagogical change further complicate efforts to modernize.

To address these challenges, the paper advocates for the adoption of modern, learner-centered strategies, including Simulation and …

The Greatest Victory: Teaching Strategy And Peace Through Negotiation, W. Chad Austin

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This article examines how structured negotiation instruction, centered on the Circle of Value framework, enhances the critical and strategic thinking skills of cadets at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). Drawing on experiential learning, role-play simulations, and case studies—such as U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan—the article demonstrates how cadets apply integrative negotiation techniques to real-world geopolitical scenarios. The Circle of Value framework emphasizes interest-based negotiation, objective criteria, creative option generation, and the development of mutually beneficial outcomes. Through written analysis, live negotiation exercises, and reflective feedback, cadets build key competencies in communication, decision-making under pressure, and conflict resolution. The paper …

Language Alignment And Career Outcomes In International Military Education: A Study Of United States Military Academy Graduates, Erin Lemons

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

Host country/sending country language alignment is an understudied topic within the field of international military education. While individual-level language barriers are recognized, this study asks how national-level language proficiency levels can influence international military graduates’ retention. International cadets from countries with lower proficiency in the host nation’s language may be selected primarily for their language skills rather than their military potential. Moreover, the acquisition of the host nation’s language and culture during international cadets’ studies may increase the attractiveness of private-sector opportunities upon their return home. At the same time, countries with lower proficiency levels in the host language may …

In Extremis: An International Perspective On Military Leadership Training In Extreme Situations, Sarah Von Felten

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This comparative study explores how military leadership is developed and executed in extreme situations across diverse national contexts, including Switzerland, South Africa, India, Israel, and Canada. Each country adapts its leadership training and doctrine based on historical experiences, operational demands, and institutional culture. While some militaries, like Canada, emphasize values-based leadership aligned with democratic principles, others, such as India, prioritize cultural ethos and leading by example. Conscription-based systems like Israel’s and Switzerland`s rely heavily on early, experiential leadership, while professional forces like South Africa focus on psychological resilience and adaptability. Training approaches range from academic and doctrinal frameworks to immersive, …

Editor's Note, Leandrit Mehmeti

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This special issue of the Journal of Peace, Conflict and Security Studies (JPCSS) originates from the International Symposium of Military Academies (ISOMA) 2025, held in Prishtina, Kosovo, on November 11–13, 2025 and hosted by the Kosovo Defense Academy (KDA). The symposium convened scholars, military educators, policymakers, and practitioners from across the world to examine how military education can effectively adapt to the emerging demands and complexities of the twenty-first century. The overarching theme,“Adapting Military Education for 21st Century Challenges: Innovations in Teaching and Learning for Global Security”, encapsulates the necessity for transformation, interdisciplinary dialogue, and technological integration within modern defense …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Experts’ Validation Of The Fundamental Cybersecurity Competency Index (Fcci) Using A Commercial Cyber Range Through Human-Generative Artificial Intelligence (Genai) Teaming, Dariusz Witko, Yair Levy, Catherine Neubauer, Greg Simco, Laurie P. Dringus, Melissa Carlton

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The increasing volume of cyber threats, combined with a critical shortage of skilled professionals and rising burnout among practitioners, highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions in cybersecurity operations. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) offers promising potential to augment human analysts in cybersecurity, but its integration requires rigorous validation of the fundamental competencies that enable effective collaboration of human-GenAI teams. This research study employed a mixed-methods research project designed to evaluate human-GenAI teams, emphasizing the role of expert consensus in shaping the experimental assessment of the Fundamental Cybersecurity Competency Index (FCCI) in a commercial cyber range. We engaged 20 Subject Matter …

The Colder War: Predicting Government Deception In The Arctic Conflict, Chisom Nnennaya Okorafor

Undergraduate Honors Theses

As rising temperatures increase the rate of polar ice cap melt, the Arctic is rapidly becoming a region of significant geopolitical interest, creating the potential for a revived Great Powers struggle. A key consideration surrounding potential conflict for democracies is the role of official government secrecy in foreign policy decision-making. This particular study examines the intersection of the two topics, creating a model of understanding and predicting U.S. government deception in conflicts. Specifically, this research identifies the gap between internal U.S. government knowledge and publicly broadcasted messaging surrounding the justifications for military and covert action. By analyzing case studies of …

Arms Up Or Down? The Effect Of International Organization Membership On Military Expenditures, Maria Christina Kardash

Student Publications

In this paper, I investigate the relationship between the total number of international organizations a state is involved in and its military expenditures as a percentage of GDP. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative analysis, I find support for my hypothesis that the more international organizations a state is a member of, the less a state will expend on its military. Qualitatively, I focus on the three main theories of international relations (realism, liberalism, and constructivism) to construct a theoretical foundation for my paper. Under realism, I focus on free riding behavior, under liberalism, I center on non-military priorities, and under …

Effectiveness Of Chinese Dual-Use Shipbuilding Within State-Owned Enterprises, Naveen Wineland

Student Publications

This paper examines how effectively China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have leveraged dual-use shipbuilding to support the naval modernization of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). While China’s commercial shipbuilding sector now dominates the global market and provides SOEs with massive economies of scale, workforce continuity, and supply chain depth, the ability to translate these advantages into advanced naval shipbuilding has been uneven. Drawing on theoretical frameworks of the developmental state and hidden developmental state, this analysis distinguishes between commercial and naval shipbuilding requirements and examines hull-level production data for major U.S. and Chinese surface combatant classes. The evidence suggests that …

Reform And Exploration Of Talent Cultivation In Public Security Intelligence, Lei Hong, Guangliang Gao

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] Public security intelligence work has undergone a significant transformation from passive defense to proactive early warning, with corresponding shifts in its core functions. The cultivation of public security intelligence talents rooted in practical combat has evolved alongside the development of intelligence work, necessitating a clear understanding of its historical development and future prospects.

[Method/process] By employing a comprehensive approach that integrates literature analysis, data interpretation, and historical examination, this study systematically reviews the evolution of public security intelligence education from the perspectives of practical intelligence work, the overarching public security education system, and the specific aspects of intelligence education.It …

Rethinking The Narrative Of Turkey’S July 15 Events: An Intelligence Operation Disguised As A Coup Attempt, Mustafa Kirisci, Ibrahim Kocaman, Murat Balci

Publications

Academia, think tanks, and international media have largely adopted the Turkish government’s narrative that the events of July 15, 2016, constituted a failed coup attempt. This dominant framing has shaped policy responses and scholarly interpretations despite the authoritarian context in which it was crafted. Many Turkish and Western scholars accepted the Turkish government’s narrative that the July 15 events were a failed coup attempt. They often rely on surface-level indicators and official statements without critically engaging with available evidence. Also, they disregarded substantial evidence and defendants’ statements in judicial proceedings that directly contradict official statements. One notable exception to this …

Book Review: Age Of Revolutions: Progress And Backlash From 1600 To The Present, Thimothy Martin, John Erickson

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Fareed Zakaria

Reviewed by Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Martin, director, Defense Strategy Course, US Army War College, and John Erickson, senior engineer, Axiom Technologies

Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present explores revolutions from the seventeenth century to today. Part I offers historical case studies of revolutions, including socioeconomic, political, and technological examples. Part II discusses current economic, technological, identity, and geopolitical revolutions and their implications—like the ways technology improves life but at the price of depersonalization and digital addiction for some. The reviewer recommends this book for lovers of international relations, history, philosophy, and strategic …

Book Review: Warfare In The Robotics Age, Jeremy Lewis

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Ash Rossiter and Peter Layton

Reviewed by Jeremy Lewis, US Army (retired)

With real-world examples and clear explanations of how robotics influence air, maritime, land, space, and cyber operations, Warfare in the Robotics Age offers an overview of the history of robotics in war. Covering topics including drafting robots into military service, reimagining robotic warfare, and adapting to a robot way of war, the reviewer recommends the book for policymakers, strategists, practitioners, and senior leaders.

Book Review: Upstart: How China Became A Great Power, R. M. Ihme

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Oriana Skylar Mastro

Reviewed by Lieutenant Colonel Kelly R. M. Ihme, PhD, General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chair of Aerospace Studies and assistant professor, Department of Distance Education, US Army War College

Upstart: How China Became a Great Power, by Oriana Skylar Mastro, tracks China’s transition from a minor regional influence in the 1990s to a global power. The author developed and used the Upstart Strategy, which examines emulation, exploitation, and entrepreneurship, to offer predictive modeling that political and military leaders can use to anticipate China’s future trajectory. Reviewer Kelly Ihme applauds the specific and actionable recommendations for America and …