Fulltext search in archive
Results 1 to 30 of 171:
Civil War in Myanmar. Causes, Actors, DevelopmentReviewedMiroslav NožinaVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2024, Vol. XXXIII. (LXV.): 91-104 The civil war in Myanmar has been going on for more than seven decades. After the military coup in February 2021, it has undergone significant structural changes and gained new momentum. The causes of the conflict lie in the inability of different ethnic and political groups to find a way to coexist within a single state entity and the autonomisation of the military. The main actors in the war in Myanmar today are the military junta and its supporters, the democratic opposition and ethnic organisations. After the coup, the strength of the resistance movement and its operational capabilities are growing. However, this growth has its limits, given the continued disunity of opposition forces, the technical superiority of the Myanmar army and the strengthening of its numbers through compulsory conscription. |
The Information War in Ukraine as a Part of the Military StrategyReviewed - ReviewJan MěřičkaVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2022, Vol. XXXI. (LXIII.): 21-37 This paper assesses the information war in Ukraine in the context of the military strategy. An influence of the information operation (disinformation and deception) presents the strategic tool. The author pragmatically analyses the information war from the military art perspectives and as a part of the strategy used for support of the combat operations. He identifies phases of the information war in the context of the war. The author expects and confirms the opinion that the information war is led by both external actors (the USA and the Russian Federation). Their top representatives are involving in the information war because they support their own interests. This paper has been written as a neo-realist case study. The balance of power concept is in accordance with the used theory, as well as with the key interests of the external actors. |
Czech Defense Policy in the Light of Strategic CultureReviewed - ResearchVladimír Karaffa, Cyril SvobodaVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2025, Vol. XXXIV. (LXVI.): 3-23 The article analyzes key aspects of the development of the Czech Republic‘s defense policy since 1989, with a focus on the role of strategic culture. It examines historical, political, and social factors that have shaped the Czech Republic‘s approach to defense and security issues. Special attention is given to the transformation of the Czech Armed Forces, the transition to a professional military model, and responses to changing geopolitical threats. The analysis also considers public perceptions of the military, the influence of historical narratives on strategic culture, and the attitudes of political elites toward defense matters. The article highlights the importance of strategic culture as an analytical framework for understanding long-term trends and the evolution of defense policy, while suggesting potential avenues for future research in the Czech context. |
Reviewed - Research |
Resistance Operating Concept as a Tool for Increasing the Resilience of the StateReviewedRadek Dubec, Eva Nezvalová, Markéta LickováVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2024, Vol. XXXIII. (LXV.): 3-19 The article describes the issue of implementing the Resistance Operating Concept as part of a comprehensive approach to ensuring the defense of the state and its resilience. The basic conditions necessary for the introduction of that instrument are sought, and a comparative analysis of selected European countries that started to build a resistance movement is carried out. The article further describes the strategic definition of the resistance movement in the conditions of the Czech Republic, the legislative definition of the resistance movement and its anchoring in the framework of mental law, and the connection of the resistance movement to individual phases of the conflict. It analyzes the relationship of the resistance movement to individual phases of the conflict and categorizes the actors of the resistance movement, their roles and the methods used. In conclusion, it defines the necessary conditions for the implementation of the resistance movement into the security and defense system of the state. |
Islamist Territorially Anchored Violent Non-State Actor in the International SystemReviewed - ReviewMgr. Zdeněk LudvíkVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2015, Vol. XXIV. (LVI.): 62-80 Islamist territorially anchored violent non-state actors (ITAVNSAs) seeking to change the status quo of the current international system constitute one of the greatest challenges the international order based on mutual respect of equal sovereign states. These actors in areas without the presence of power states use explicit cross-border violence to achieve their objective in accordance with universal Islamist ideology - the construction of a caliphate. The paper presents in the theoretical and modern historical perspectives methods of reduction of anarchy in the international system - power, economic, legalistic and normative - and highlights the reasons why face to face of these actors, these heretofore functional ways, be it on a regional or system level of analysis, fail. |
Middle Eastern Proxy Wars Waged on the Background of Civil WarsReviewed - ReviewMirela AtanasiuVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2021, Vol. XXX. (LXII.): 27-44 The paper argues that proxy war is an increasingly often used tool in the Middle East, in the already conflicted territories where international involvement is not only enabled, but also attracted and encouraged by the international law for the purpose of region's securitization. Thus, the paper's aim is to increase awareness on the fact that the Middle Eastern countries passing through civil war periods and accepting external actors to deal with their crises do not only become fertile territories for proxy wars, but the intervening actors start pursuing their own interests beyond the host country's interest in resolving the conflict. |
Models of Proliferation of Rocket Technologies Used by Hybrid Actors in the Middle EastReviewed - ReviewLadislav KulhánekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2019, Vol. XXVIII. (LX.): 73-84 Rocket technology occupies an elite position in the doctrines of hybrid actors in the Middle East. The thesis of proliferation of tactical ballistic missiles analyses four models - political, technological, substitutional and propagandist-psychological. An effective reduction of ballistic missiles and technologies has been identified in the political model, where sanctions and embargoes limit the proliferation of missile technology. In the technical model, which plays a key role, the limiting factors are those of development and dissemination of high-energy laser weapons. The substitutional model illustrates the application of tactical ballistic missiles as carriers for improvised devices. It is of marginal importance, despite covering targets that involve secondary damage. Studying the model of propaganda and psychology confirms the psychological effect on the population associated with the losses, but it does not affect the reduction of missiles. |
Islamic State: Conflict Actors, their Participation, Motives and GoalsReviewed - ReviewMgr. Josef Kraus, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2015, Vol. XXIV. (LVI.): 20-36 This text is focused on current situation in Syria and Iraq and so called Islamic State, the one of the biggest threats of contemporary world. The rise of this quasistate at background of civil war in Syria and still not fully solved conflict in Iraq is the result of involvement of many internal and external actors. The form of their involvement and especially their goals are very different from each other and despite sporadic and declaratory agreements in partial points the main reason the Islamic State still exists in very good shape is disunited attitude of local and external powers against it. The main aim of this text is to explain and to analyze main motives and goals of all relevant actors and sides of mentioned conflict and describe the way they affect its dynamics. Due to that it is possible to increase the knowledge of readers in such a chaotic, unclear and often misinterpreted situation in the Middle-East. |
The UN and NATO as the Main Pillars of the International Security Architecture with a Focus on the Middle East RegionReviewed - ResearchYvona Novotná-ŠabackáVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2024, Vol. XXXIII. (LXV.): 18-35 This study provides a summary overview of the creation and the activities of the international security architecture in the form of their two main pillars, i.e. the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the Near and Middle East region. Within the framework of international security relations, this is a very unstable and conflictual region, where this instability has lasted practically since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The global UN, its overall activity and importance, especially humanitarian and peace-building activities not only for the Near and Middle East region, is very beneficial, through out the Cold War period up to the present day. As a security organization, NATO is among the most important global actors influencing current international security relations. Through their activities, both of these organizations represent a essential means of ensuring world peace and security. |
Palestine in a Vicious Circle of Violence, Wars and Terror (1948-2023)Reviewed - ResearchJan EichlerVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2024, Vol. XXXIII. (LXV.): 36-55 This article deals with one of the most explosive areas of the world today, which is the Near and Middle East (NMEA) and especially the territory of historical Palestine, where the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (IPC) has been going on for a long time. The text deals primarily with historical and military factors and is written as a historical explanatory analysis. It focuses on the most significant historical events and explains the ways of functioning and the consequences of the processes that have been taking place there for a long time. |
From Plan Gideon to Plan Tnufa: Israeli defense strategy and the buildup of the Israeli Defense Forces in the wider context of the Middle East after the Arab SpringReviewed - ResearchĽubomír Zvada, Jiří LachVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2023, Vol. XXXII. (LXIV.): 24-44 Based on the content analysis method, this study analyzes the first ever published security strategy of the Israel Defense Forces, which was published in 2015. The main objective of the paper is not only to present the circumstances of its creation and discuss the main objectives of this strategic security document, but also to outline the broader geopolitical context from which it emerged. The authors argue that the document primarily emphasized two areas - the use of force and capacity building of the Israeli military. Among other things, the publication of the strategy was intended to have a deterrent effect. In the conclusion, the authors compare the Gideon Plan and its follow-up, the Tnufa Plan, and point to the considerable importance that consensus among political and military elites has in the implementation of such a document and reflect on what lessons and inspiration can be drawn from this case in our geographic space in the process of formulating or reformulating strategic security documents. |
Leaderless Resistance: Development, Countering and Research of Insurgent ConceptReviewed - ReviewMiroslav MarešVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2020, Vol. XXIX. (LXI.): 41-56 The paper deals with an insurgent strategic concept "leaderless resistance". It was elaborated by US intelligence officer Colonel Ulius Louis Amoss. It is used by various insurgent actors and it is researched within the context of insurgency and counterinsurgency and interconnected issues (extremism, terrorism etc). The author of this contribution deals with the development tendencies and with the strengths and weaknesses of this strategy (including the derived concepts as "leaderless Jihad" etc.). Its adaptation in the era of modern political and hybrid warfare is explained. Challenges for successful countering from the point of view of security architecture (intelligence and law enforcement agencies, army, non-.state actors) are discussed. |
From the Common Security and Defence Policy to the Common Army of the European Union?Reviewed - ReviewVojtech Jurčák, Radoslav IvančíkVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2023, Vol. XXXII. (LXIV.): 18-34 Voices about the need to build a joint European Union army have been appearing on the European scene for several years, but recently these voices have become stronger, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, in the article, the authors deal with the issue of the possibility of creating a common European army. They draw on from socio-scientific political science approaches to current security frameworks, examine the current state, and at the same time point out that, despite the threats Europe is facing, there is still no clear plan for how such an army should be created. Considering the facts mentioned in the article, the authors state that the creation of a common European army, at least for now, seems unlikely, as a supranational model of the European army would require the transfer of sensitive national competences from the member states to the EU level. |
Possibilities of Developing Medical Support Capabilities in the Area of Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear DefenceReviewed - ReviewAleš Tichý, Richard SaibertVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2023, Vol. XXXII. (LXIV.): 98-117 The article deals with the evaluation of current possibilities of medical support capabilities in the area of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence. The evaluation of national strategic documents shows that the area of providing care in the event of chemical and biological hazards is significantly more developed than in the area of radiation, while the security threats associated with radiation are constantly growing. Analysis of NATO standardization documents in the field of medical support and relevant Czech doctrinal documents was carried out, based on which the diagnostics and triage of irradiated persons, called biological dosimetry, was identified as a potential capability. Using the capability planning methodology and based on the evaluation of the functional areas, a conceptual approach to the development of biological dosimetry capabilities was defined. The presented recommendations also include a proposal for the organizational structure of the Czech Armed Forces biodosimetric network. |
The Hidden Contents in the Professional Military Education ProcessReviewed - ReviewMarkéta LickováVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2021, Vol. XXX. (LXII.): 141-153 Increasing pressure on the quality of the educational content brings the need to address the issue of hidden mechanisms in the educational process that have impacts on the quality of knowledge and skills. This article discusses the existence of the hidden curriculum in lifelong learning and puts it into the context of the lifelong Professional Military Education as it is provided at the Centre for Security and Military Strategic Studies at the University of Defence. The uncovering of the hidden content in education may not be a welcome process, in extreme it may become unacceptable. However, hidden content can affect the achieved learning outcomes, as well as their deliberate disclosure and appropriate processing. The aim of the article is to describe whether and with what benefit can the concept of the hidden curriculum be applied to professional military education in the Centre for Security and Military Strategic Studies environment . |
Strategic Communications: From a Reactive Fight Against Disinformation Towards Comprehensive Use in Support of National Security and DefenceReviewed - ReviewVendula DivišováVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2022, Vol. XXXI. (LXIII.): 34-53 The concept of strategic communications rose to prominence especially with the events linked to the Crimea annexation and Russian intervention in Eastern Ukraine. As such it has been mostly related to the reactive fight against disinformation and propaganda or other elements of the hybrid campaign. This paper aims to point to the much broader potential for the tool of strategic communications in support of goals in the realm of national security and defence, while it is understood as proactive efforts and specific mindset using the information effect to advance national interests. Based on the literature review, benefits of strategic communications beyond hybrid campaigns are identified also in the fields of foreign military operations, counterinsurgency, counter-terrorism, deterrence and crisis management. It describes the informational, particularly, the cognitive, dimensions of these security threats as well as of the measures to counter them. |
The Internationalization of Conflicts: Theoretical Background, Conceptualization, and Contemporary Middle-East RegionReviewed - ReviewJosef KrausVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. MC/2017, Vol. XXVI. (LVIII.): 23-31 This article deals with the research of the internationalization of conflicts, trying to examine this phenomenon from the theoretical perspective and as a definition. Then the term of internationalization of conflict is conceptualized in order to be applied to a chosen internationalized internal armed conflict. The text also deals with various actors intervening in the internationalized conflict. They are divided into external and internal actors, while their interventions during civil war can be multilateral or unilateral. The concept of the conflict internationalization is also compared with the concept of the proxy war. The closeness of both terms can be confusing for many researchers and their division is one of the important outcomes of this article. There is also a typology of internationalized internal armed conflict types in the text as well as identification of reasons for military actions against a neighbouring state in civil war. At the end, two case studies of Syrian and Yemeni civil wars are introduced to the reader in the framework of the conflict internationalization concept. The text itself is a conference contribution and it has no ambition of bringing new scientific findings and extending knowledge. Rather, it presents a general survey of the examined phenomenon, which can be developed and researched by social sciences based on case studies. |
Concepts of the Hybrid Warfare and the Czech Armed ForcesReviewed - ReviewMartin HavlíkVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2021, Vol. XXX. (LXII.): 38-51 The goal of this review article is to briefly describe the development trends in the conceptualization of the phenomenon of hybrid warfare and to try a basic comparison of the key features of twenty important concepts with emphasis on selected Western, Russian and Chinese theoretical concepts. A substantial part of the article also deals with a closer characterization of hybrid warfare with the intention of clarifying the possible relationship of this type of warfare to the activities of the Czech Armed Forces. In connection with the importance of hybrid warfare and hybrid threats, the article is supplemented with essential recommendations that the Czech Republic and the Czech Armed Forces should reflect. The emphasis on content and the above arguments confirm that looking at the phenomenon of hybrid action and warfare as a novelty is very debatable. Rather than a new concept of warfare, it is a newly accentuated term "hybrid" describing long-known combinations of power tools used. |
Warfare and its FormsReviewed - ReviewJán Spišák, Jan Gireth, Marek FiebichVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2020, Vol. XXIX. (LXI.): 20-35 The article deals with the issue of warfare. Its aim is to describe and clarify the character of warfare in its contemporary doctrinal context. The authors of the article focused on the specifics of individual forms of warfare and its complexity within the annexation of Crimea by the armed forces of the Russian Federation in 2014. Description, content and comparative analysis of used sources and doctrinal publications were used. The authors conclude that the complexity of contemporary warfare creates appropriate conditions for the nation and its armed forces to enforce its interests and achieve strategic goals. The main contribution of the article is to provide information that is not available in professional literature or it is not part of doctrinal or other national military publications. |
Human Resources of the Mobilization of the Czech Armed Forces at the Beginning of the 21st CenturyReviewed - ReviewPetr DosoudilVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2021, Vol. XXX. (LXII.): 52-66 The article focuses on identifying the key factors of human resources within the Czech state needed to carry out mobilization of the armed forces in case of a military conflict. It primarily answers the questions of whether these factors are sufficient and can be used effectively in the mobilization process. It addresses the issue of military records, sustainability of military reserves and their profitability. It also deals with the influence of secondary factors on the possibilities of creating and training reserves, especially the motivation of citizens to defend the state and the physical fitness of the mobilized population. |
The Revolt of French Soldiers Against the Failing Immigration PolicyReviewed - ReviewJan EichlerVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2021, Vol. XXX. (LXII.): 3-22 The article is about the revolt of French soldiers against the failing immigration policy of their country. It explains its rational causes at the historical, geopolitical as well as security levels. It analyses its three main acts since 2013 until today and presents their key actors: the high level generals and politicians. These acts are presented as historical accidents. The article shows that French soldiers refuse to be silent face to face big stakes, especially on the field of defence of the Republic against the growing violence of young immigrants. The text continues with the analysis of two manifests of French soldiers from spring 2021 that evoke the threat of the civil war in France and the role of the Armed forces in such a scenario. |
Analysis of the Malian conflict dynamics - exploiting ACLED databaseReviewed - ReviewJan Kofroň, Michal Opletal, Matyáš ZrnoVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2020, Vol. XXIX. (LXI.): 46-64 Focusing on current Malian conflict, the aim of the article is to demonstrate usefulness of the "Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project" database for the analysis of intra-state conflicts. At the macro-level the paper analyzes geographical spread of the conflict and its key quantitative characteristics (numbers of fatalities stemming from different types of incidents). At the micro-level it focuses on Malian region Mopti. At this level the paper analyzes geographical distribution of various incidents and the interaction of the key armed groups operating within the region. |
Current Nuclear Strategies and Arsenals of the United States of America and the Russian FederationReviewed - ReviewAdam PotočňákVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2021, Vol. XXX. (LXII.): 23-44 The article holistically analyses current strategies for the use and development of nuclear forces of the USA and Russia and analytically reflects their mutual doctrinal interactions. It deals with the conditions under which the U.S. and Russia may opt for using their nuclear weapons and reflects also related issues of modernization and development of their actual nuclear forces. The author argues that both superpowers did not manage to abandon the Cold War logic or avoid erroneous, distorted or exaggerated assumptions about the intentions of the other side. The text concludes with a summary of possible changes and adaptations of the American nuclear strategy under the Biden administration as part of the assumed strategy update expected for 2022. |
New Global and Regional Actors and World and European SecurityReviewedPhDr. Miloš Balabán, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 30-37 Taking into account the prepared 2011 Security Strategy and the White Paper on Defence in our country, due attention ought to be paid to political ambitions and economy influence of emerging actors, both world and regional. In ten or twenty years to come we shall face basic transformation of international system. Today, there are four main global power centres: North America (United States, Canada), the European Union, China and Japan. The author of this study concentrates predominantly on their economy strength that is also a base of all sources spent on armed forces. Among emerging powers belongs above all India, regional power in South Asia, Brazil in Latin America, followed by Indonesia, Turkey, and Mexico. They together cover 52 per cent of word's economy production. Different interests give rise to various disputes, but they are able to act cohesively against e.g. decisions by G-20. Among other's the article is accompanied by the table comparing military powers of the USA and Russia. |
Reasons of formation and integration of cyber forces and information operations into the Army of the Czech RepublicNonreviewed - OtherMartin HavlíkVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2020, Vol. XXIX. (LXI.): 72-86 The goal of this informative article is to comprehensively describe the causes of the formation and integration of cyber forces and information operations into the structure of the Army of the Czech Republic, including other significant connotations. The intention is not to present new scientific findings, but to point out the meaning of the existence of cybernetics and information operations as a necessary separate component of the Army of the Czech Republic capable of responding to the dynamic development of the security environment and the continuous development of modern technologies. The content and main arguments of this article reflect the transition from the classical form of warfare to the new platform, represented mainly by cyber space and a hybrid combination of a wide range of power tools with an emphasis on information operations. |
Analysis of Iranian Revolution Guard Corps in the Context of its Inclusion on the List of Foreign Terrorist OrganisationReviewed - ReviewMatěj MacháčekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2020, Vol. XXIX. (LXI.): 92-106 United states of America classified from 2019 Iranian revolution guards as "foreign terrorist organisation". Article analyses consequences of this step. Text in the introduction presents Guards and highlights the differences between this organization and "classical" terrorist organization. Goal of the main part of text is to analyze American steps and finds consequences resulting from it. This work concluded that though legal consequences of putting Guards on the list of "foreign terrorist organization" are small, on the other hand its practical impacts are huge. There was also found link between putting Guards on this list and new American strategy of "maximal pressure" against Iran. |
Key roles and interests of Pakistan and India in AfghanistanReviewed - ReviewMartin HavlíkVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2019, Vol. XXVIII. (LX.): 18-31 This review attempts to analyze in detail the specific roles and interests of the key players represented by Pakistan and India in Afghanistan. The focus of individual actors in the South Asian region was focused on identifying key objectives, defining specific national interests and strategies in Afghanistan. The aim of the article is to find out, analyze, interpret and understand information about the power relations of Pakistan and India in relation to the security situation in Afghanistan. The content focuses on the analysis of Pakistan-India relations and their intertwining in Afghan society. The aim is not to relate the content to a generalized theory or known theoretical paradigm of international relations, but to analyze the aspects of the Afghanistan in relation to Pakistan and India. |
Analysis and model of Cyber security corps professional developmentReviewed - ReviewPetr Františ, Jan HodickýVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2019, Vol. XXVIII. (LX.): 97-116 The paper deals with the professional development of cyber security corps. In the introduction the individual elements that are active in cyber security are described. Strategic analysis of the education is carried out to define the initial state. The main part of the paper is devoted to the design of the education system. The individual elements are defined in the paper, and the model of relationships between these elements is shaped. The attachment contains complete set of topics and their classification into the strands to fulfil the profile of the cyber security expert. |
Some Tools of the Czech Republic Security Policy to Prevent Proliferation of Nuclear and Chemical WeaponsNonreviewed - OtherMartin Fokt, Antonín Novotný, Pavel OtřísalVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2019, Vol. XXVIII. (LX.): 128-148 The article deals with selected international treaties, current agreements and international cooperation initiatives in the field of non-proliferation of nuclear and chemical weapons, in which the Czech Republic is represented through specific bodies or ministries. There is also a general description of the view and the specific military approach. The involvement of the MoD and the Czech Armed Forces in NATO structures enables to influence the strategic decision-making in the area of CBRN and thus support the current trends concerning forensic analysis, sampling of CBRN samples and response to new trends in the field of WMD elimination. |

