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Czech Military Review

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Results 211 to 240 of 939:

A Brief Insight into the History of Operational Art and its Contemporary Aspects (Part I)

Military art

Ing. Ján Spišák

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 34-39 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.21.2012.02.034-039

Understanding the importance and role of present-day operational art is not always a matter of knowledge of relevant doctrinal publications or the use of experiences from military operations. Number of aspects of operational art had their roots deep in the history of warfare. Many of them are unknown or forgotten. This article aims to give the reader some basic information about the context that led to the awareness of the need of operational art and finally to real fulfilling the imaginary gap between strategy and tactics, which was the place for operational art. The article briefly describes the background of the emergence of operational art and the approach of two basic schools of military theory: Soviet and German that were crucial to its development.

Czech Professional Army: Initial Five Years

Book review

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 129-135

This year, the Hlávka Economy Institute published a book "Professional Army in the Czech Republic: First Five Years", by Bohuslav Pernica. It is a study dealing with first five years in which the Czech Republic transformed its forces from a conscription army to all-volunteer one. The author sees the necessity to go professional in context of changed global surrounding after the end of Cold War. The subject is treated mainly from economy point of view. He pays attention to three important issues related to this transformation: recruitment /retention, training /education, and substandard soldier's pay, which is one of roots of low service competitiveness on civil labour market.

The Operational Preparation of State Territory and a New System of Railroad Structure Reconstruction

Military professional

Ing. Jan Englich, doc. Ing. Radovan Soušek, Ph.D., Ing. Jan Strbačka, CSc., Ing. Pavel Viskup

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 145-159

The paper offers new looks at the system of railroad reconstruction in crisis and emergency situations. It originates from The Operational Plan of State Territory Preparation that is implemented in harmony with The Plan of Technology Protection of Railroad. This article is a free sequel to information published in this Military Revue No. 4/2005 dealing with drafting the plan of railroad technology protection. The authors´ main purpose is to give readers basic knowledge on key changes in railroad security system and main security measurements till 2013. The protection system is intended to be more flexible and economic.

Operational Analysis: Key Capability Supporting Decision-making

Military art

Ing. Pavel Zůna, MSS, Ph.D.

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 35-44

The defence environment is complex and dynamic. This is a result of the nature of modern conflict, rapid changes in technology, the need to deal with uncertainty in the face of limited sources, changed attitudes to risk and the sheer diversity of actors from different cultural backgrounds. Defence-decision makers are confronted with an increasing operational complexity that has strategic implications. Decisions on defence policy and strategy are characterized by uncertainty and risks. This Article describes differences in Hard and Soft Operational Analyses, and presents some examples and conclusions for military practice.

Updating Security Strategy Czech Republic 2011 (Inspirational Power of Security Community)

Opinions, controversy

PhDr. Antonín RAŠEK

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 99-121

In September 2011 the government approved the new Security Strategy of the Czech Republic. It was important that this document was discussed and elaborated with the participation of the security community, security professionals both from the army and civil institutions or schools; among others we must state the CEVRO institute or the CESES centre, Charles University Prague. The author familiarizes readers with its contents and the history of its genesis by means of polemics with individual items of this document. In addition to general statements, there should be concrete proposals, the authors supposes, for tangible precautions, which might help readers to comprehend proposed measures, and thus to open way to deeper understanding among wide public to security problems, i.e. impending threats and dangers.

Intelligence Services (A Multidisciplinary Approach to Problem)

Book review

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 136-138

In our country we can meet various publications on intelligence activities, nevertheless we feel the lack of expert books with wider overreach. Among those publications that fulfil such demands belongs the work by Ladislav Pokorný "Secret Agencies", Prague: Auditorium, 2012. The book covers intelligence organizations of all kinds, including military ones. In military section the reviewer cites the famous ironic sentence "Under the Czech Law, we have three intelligence services, in fact there are four of them, with five directors". The publication is of high information value and could also serve as a university textbook.

Emerging New Threats in Unstable World

Reviewed

PhDr. Miloš Balabán, Ph.D., prof. PhDr. Martin Potůček, CSc., MSc., PhDr. Antonín Rašek

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 3-21

The article identifies new threats of global character influencing global security and quality of life. The inspiration is drawn from the debate over proposed updated Czech security strategy 2011, where several security scenarios were drafted. It is a free sequel to the study "Wild Cards in Future Development of World Security" published in this review in No. 2, 2008. The titles of some chapters are as follows: The Collapse of World's Monetary System and Global Economic Warfare, Crisis of Global Government, The Shortage of Key Commodities (oil, gas, coal, raw materials, water, foodstuffs), Migration, Organized Crime, European Union prior to Disintegration, The Crisis of NATO, New Religions, Will Rich People Live Longer?, etc.

Is Economic Education of Military Professionals Necessary?

Opinions, controversy

Prof. PhDr. Miroslav Krč, CSc.

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 69-76 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.21.2012.02.069-076

This paper deals with problem of education in a military college on the background of military-economic reality. It shows the requirements of the Bologna Declaration in the relation to economic education. Training of military officers has four levels: qualifying (in relation to the performance of different professional roles), developing (in relation to the developing leader personality), motivational (in relation to recruitment) and accepting (in relation between public and army). The economics is of great importance here. It should be beneficial for responsible managers, for their decision-making that can lead to optimization of the results based on economic behaviour, linked to motivational factors.

Nuclear Deterrence and Cooperation? (Russian Security and Foreign Policy 2008-2012)

Informational pages

Mgr. et Mgr. Lukáš Tichý

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 61-72 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.21.2012.04.061-072

The objective of this article is to analyse the security and foreign policy of the Russian Federation in 2008-2012, in terms of security culture. The article is based on the assumption that the Russian security and foreign policy during Medvedev's presidency was characterized by four features: promoting multilateralism, exaggeration Russian national security threats, emphasizing the possibility of the use of nuclear deterrence, and using energy as a political tool. The article is based on three Russian strategic documents, i.e. Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation, National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation to 2020 and the Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation. It also examines some events of Russian internal and external policy, especially Russian-Georgian conflict, Medvedev's proposal to create new security architecture in Europe, or the security relations between Russia and the EU, NATO and the U.S.

Security and Strategic Culture of USA, EU and CR

Book review

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 168-174

It is the title of homonymous publication by Jan Eichler from the Institute of Foreign Relations. The author depicts basic characteristics of main features of security and strategic culture of present world. He tries to answer the following three questions: What are historical and political factors of security /strategical culture of respective actors, what are main features of their doctrinal documents, and their impacts on the development of global international relations in the early 21st century? He deduces that the participation of the CR in military interventions in third world countries could generate a risk of terrorist's attacks against not only members of armed forces abroad, but also installations in our state territory.

Cost Analysis: Nourishment in Time of Crisis Situation

Military professional

Ing. Bc. Eva Lukášková, Ph.D., Ing. Bc. Helena Velichová, Ph.D.

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 131-139 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.21.2012.03.131-139

The inseparable parts of sustenance costs are expenses for nutrition of members of Integrated Rescue System (IRS) and evacuated civil population. The system covers distribution of foodstuff above all into evacuation centres, preparation of food (cooking), disposing wastes, remnants and leftovers. The collected data were used for calculating and analysis of overall costs spent for all discussed groups. Upon this analyses the authoresses draw final conclusions.

Military Expenditures and their Evaluation in Selected EU Countries

Military professional

Ing. Lenka Brizgalová, Ph.D.

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 111-121 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.21.2012.04.111-121

The article deals with the evaluation of military expenditures of European Union's four selected countries in the period of 2001-2008. Among examined countries belong the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia. The term military expenditures is used by many users, so the article defines first this term and also sources from which the authoress collected data for evaluation. The main source of statistical data about military expenditures is the Stockholm international institute, namely its research yearbooks.

Two Monographs on Security from Slovakia

Book review

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 137-143

Prof. Dr. Štefan Volner, CSc., is a very diligent and prolific author. He is the author of many monographs, books, papers and articles in the field of security and defence policy published worldwide. Now we have his latest two books: Security of Mankind (Bezpečnosť ĺudstva) and Security for the 21st Century (Bezpečnosť 21. storočí). In the former one, he comes out of a broad concept of security. Dr. Volner regards the theory of securitization as a lingual and socially determined construct, and so does analyses of security topics. The purpose of his first monograph is to familiarize experts and students with new theoretical concepts, ideas, methodological approaches and paradigms. The latter monograph has a classical structure tied with security studies; it contains theoretical fundaments, dealing with global risks and classifies wars of 21st century. He regards human security as a multifaceted phenomenon, at macro- and micro- levels.

Management of Sources at a Level of Army Unit: Commander's Position

Military professional

Doc. dr. Luboš Štancl, CSc., pplk. Ing. Karel Vávra

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 120-137

Topical problems of insufficient military budget, limited means are a drive force for searching unoccupied financial means to saturate set goals and ensure their unbiased reallocation and rational exploitation. The necessary prerequisite is control implementation and managerial accounting. This ought to create primary predispositions for introducing managerial accounting system, which would be oriented not towards financial, and property operations, but towards effective economy. The article describes phenomena tied with an army unit, together with the position of its commander in the process of gradual implementation of integrated informational system of state treasury, which is most manifested in the field of planning, budgeting and accounting.

Strong and Week Features of "Responsible Ownership of Technology" Concept

Military professional

Ing. Marie Poláchová

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 138-144

There is an urgent need to recognize changed priorities and evolve new approaches to non-proliferation and disarmament objectives for a sharper focus on the real and present dangers to international peace and stability. The focus must now shift to more effective monitoring and verification of compliance at various levels. The proposed ROOT system (Responsible Ownership of Technology) might be one of such means to meet above mentioned challenges that could eliminate present-day dangers and contribute to international peace and stability. It is the technology for security in the 21st century.

Starting Points for the Preparation of Updated Security Strategy of the Czech Republic 2011

Reviewed

PhDr. Miloš Balabán, Ph.D., PhDr. Antonín Rašek

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 3-19

In our country, existing strategical documents related to security used to be compiled very carefully, but proved to be not very effective, as they did not fit to practical everyday security policy, they did not comply with day-to-day requirements. The only exception was the 1991 doctrine dealing with the creation of Integrated Rescue System and the implementation of professional armed forces. At present, there is a tendency to rewrite those strategy documents again, namely in the field of security. The preparation of a new version of Czech security strategy is taking place in time marked with new trends in world politics and economy. The main attention is attracted by crisis management, arms control, disarmament, WMD non-proliferation, cooperation with non-NATO nations, and international organizations, last but not least counterterrorism and cyberspace security strategy. In short the study mentions Czech political-military ambitions, defence strategy, defence capacity and resources, it appreciates in value knowledge gained by the Centre of Security Policy, Faculty of Social Science, Charles University Prague, and it contains conclusions and recommendations for the preparation the 2011 Czech National Security Strategy.

Al Qai'da Hybridisation in North Africa and its Implication for Europe

Military art

Bc. Martin Janků

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 55-70

The article is focused on issue of hybridisation of Al Qai'da in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), in North Africa, and its implications for European countries. The process of hybridisation is being conceived as growing nexus and convergence between violent non-state actors, while these processes could be in this case identified mainly in issues of use of kidnappings and secondary also reported involvement of AQIM in regional smuggling, mainly drugs, activities through Sahel and Saharan region to Europe. Regarding GSPC background, AQIM could be in long term theoretically able to re-establish its financial and supporting networks in Europe via cooperation with organized crime, which were largely disrupted after major crackdowns by security forces between 2004-2007. Event though a direct Al Qai'da attack in Europe is-according to the author-excluded, the purpose of this article to draw our attention to an eventuality of rebirth of European operation network of AQIM operational predecessor, i.e. GSPC.

New Global and Regional Actors and World and European Security

Reviewed

PhDr. 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.

Food Terrorism and Agroterrorism

Military professional

Ing. Hana Vlachová, Ph.D.

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 160-168

People commonly imagine terrorist attack as hijacking or improvised explosive device hidden in crowded place. However terrorists can also attack against food, cattle, farm crops or water resources. These kinds of attacks can be ranked among agroterrorism or food terrorism, whereas agroterrorists attack against cattle, farm crops or water resources; food terrorists attack against foodstuffs. This paper is intended to provide information about agroterrorism and food terrorism as possible forms of wilful violence. Food security became discussed issue especially after anthrax incidents in 2001. There are many authorities that deal with these issues, for example EU, NATO or World Health Organization.

Hydrometeorological Service of the Army of the Czech Republic Celebrates the 90th Anniversary of its Establishment

History pages

Ing. Milan Skála, Ing. Eduard Vařejka

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 149-167

The outcomes of battles and fighting are significantly influenced by weather conditions. Together with other important circumstances they decide a chosen combat strategy, operational art, warfare tactics, and ways of personnel and vehicles deployment; consequently the volume of losses or casualties. The authors recount the establishing of weather service within individual arms, creating fi rst weather charts, they give details on situation in pre-war republic, during WWII, in the 50s, even after the Velvet Revolution in 1989. They mention the names of eminent personalities of Czech Hydrometeorological Service to be honoured and remembered. We must also remind that our Hydrometeorological Service works not only in favour of the ACR, but also for other NATO countries.

Discovering Future as a Challenge

Book review

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 195-200

The identification of security threats and subsequent risks is the base on which we form security and military strategies. It is also the core of all security scenarios. That's why we must welcome all books dealing with futurology predictions, like The Cognition of Future as a Challenge by Martin Potůček at al, Karolinum, Charles University. He summarizes knowledge and experiences done by CESES, the only scholarly lab dealing systematically with drafting up visions and strategies the Czech state might be confronted with. The CESES is a Czech acronym, which stands for the Centre for Social and Economic Strategies, at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Prague.

The Czech Republic and the Two Models of Professional Armed Forces

Military professional

Mjr. Ing. Bohuslav Pernica, Ph.D.

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2006, Vol. XV. (XLVII.): 143-146

The professionalization of armed forces is a process causing qualitative changes in the personnel structure of the armed forces. This process should form the armed forces as a professional institution, where the most of soldier is not enlisted for a life-long career of soldiering, but enrolled only for certain amount of time (Soldat auf Zeit). The U.S. Armed Forces (all-volunteer service) and the Royal Armed Forces serve as an example of a kind of professional armed forces in the NATO. There are two contrasting models of professional armed forces: the US-inspired armed forces and the lifelong-careerof-soldiering armed forces. Both models served as an inspiration for application in the Czech Armed Forces. The Czech Act No 211/1999 "Career Soldiers" defines military service of Czech professional soldiers in terms of all-volunteer forces. As there were some problems with the unification of career officers and volunteer soldiers, nowadays we gradually return to the concept that again differentiates between those groups.

Forming Security Culture of the European Union (European Security Strategy)

Reviewed - Research

Doc. PhDr. Jan Eichler, CSc.

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 22-36

The Document ESS 2003 laid down foundations of our present-day security and strategy culture. It was formed as a summary of several historical and political factors that are introduced in two starting chapters, followed by the more detailed analysis into ESS 2003, its main characteristics influencing EU security and strategic culture. The ESS 2003 is compared with the American doctrinal document NSS 2002. The European security strategy of 2003 is not compared with following American strategical documents, as they were unknown in time of its drafting. The author comes into the conclusion that in spite of indisputable differences, the EU shares the same values as the US, and the EU as an American strategical ally is facing the same threats and challenges as the US does, and in case of need, there is a possibility of combined military actions.

The Strategic Control of Czech Republic Defence: a Part of National Security

Reviewed

Ing. Vladimír Krulík

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 3-22

One of most discussed themes in this field is also a critique of unfinished, non-stable structure of master documents, e.g. Security Strategy of the Czech Republic. They are often told to be obsolete. The latest document, the White Paper on Defence, Critical responses are not quite justified. There are a lot of good ideas, innovations. Many things have been done, many set tasks have been met at the level of Defence Ministry. Positive effects of results reached are obvious. They are summarized in the White Paper mentioned above. The only danger lies in arbitrary decisions by political management, including employing variable means of their implementation, wanton interpretation of leading defence principles, low respect to approved strategical decisions. We must name mentioned handicaps as a first step towards the real and true remedy.

The White Paper and the Security of the Czech Republic

Opinions, controversy

PhDr. Antonín Rašek

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 86-92

The existence of the Czech Army is at state. We need to get over present cut in military budget, ill-advised savings, without searching for new appropriate financial and material sources. To save something important means always to sacrifice or to give up something. Some security and military experts wish to dissociate themselves with approved methods. They think that the White Paper doesn't express opinions on many important things. It assumed that after five years there will be need to revise this White Book. So, proposes the author, wouldn't be better for us to regard the White Book only as an analytical document containing certain proposals for the following Defence Strategy of the CR, as originally intended?

Military Keynesianism, Defence Expenditures and the Growth of Economy Militarization in Advanced Countries of World

Informational pages

Ing. Vendula Hynková, Ph.D., doc. dr. Luboš Štancl, CSc.

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 108-120

Keynesian economics argues that private sector decisions sometimes lead to inefficient macroeconomic outcomes and therefore advocates active policy responses by the public sector, including monetary policy actions and fiscal policy actions by the government to stabilize output over the business cycle. This paper defines the core of Keynesian economics in the mirror of defence expenditures and their influence on country's economy growth. The main attention is paid to the analysis of military-industrial complex and its pressure on armed forces, as one of most important factors introducing a danger of the so-called militarization of both state economy of advanced industrial countries and their social life.

Decision-making and Planning in Defence Department

Military art

Pplk. Ing. Radek Dubec

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 38-46

The article familiarizes readers with theoretical assumptions of planning and strategical decisionmaking in Defence Department and Czech armed forces. The author finds connections and similarities among others with public sector and civilian structures tied with budget spending. The strategical level of planning is a highly complicated and expert procedure. At present, planning process in defence department, within MoD sector, is specifi ed by the Order of Defence Minister No. 33, 2004. In this document, there are highly elaborated principles and rules of planning of activities and development implemented in defence sector. The article is based upon papers and reports presented at the Defence Sources Course, MIDMC 2001-06, Resources Management Institute, USA, held at the Military Academy Brno in 2001, and documents dealing with managerial problems.

The Current Reality of Nuclear Threat

Reviewed

Mgr. Jan Ludvík

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 16-23

This article addresses vital issues of possible threat of nuclear weapons in contemporary world. First, the general nuclear order-particularly the NPT regime-is briefly examined. Analysis proceeds to a critical exploration of the prospective use of nuclear weapons by small nuclear states and the so-called rogue states. Some attention is also paid to the conflict between India and Pakistan, since these two states are often considered as the most dangerous from perspective of possible use of nuclear weapons. The author considers the threat of nuclear war between great powers and then the threat of nuclear terrorism. His analysis suggests that deterrence between great powers is reliably working. The threat from rogue states is limited by technological difficulties in process of development and production of nuclear weapons and limits of small nuclear arsenals. Even though threat of nuclear terrorism should not be underestimated, this paper argues that technical obstacles and availability of other comparatively cheap methods effectively reduce the terrorists' desire to acquire nuclear weapons.

Combined Joint Exercise (CJEX) 09 "COMBINED DESTINY": Knowledge and Experiences

Military art

Plk. gšt. Ing. Ján Spišák

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 83-92

The Combined Joint Exercise was focused on the European approach to crisis management operations and involved an annual exchange of students and directing staffs between of the Higher Command and Staff Colleges from France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain. The aim of this article is to provide knowledge and personal experience of its author based on his own participation in this exercise at the Escuela Superior de las Fuerzas Armadas (ESFAS) Madrid. The purpose of the exercise was to foster the understanding, mutual knowledge and dialogue among the offi cers of the aforementioned colleges through the practice of operational planning. Among general information describing the character of the exercise, the article defines some areas of the operational art, namely Operational Planning Process, Operational Design, Decisive Point Concept and Centre of Gravity Analysis.

Analytical Thinking and Team Leadership in Intelligence Analysis

Military art

Doc. Ing. Oldřich Horák, CSc.

Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 49-54

This paper deals with aspects of intelligence analysis that very often influence the quality of intelligence information utilized by end users. Such analysis requires not only analytical thinking, but also specific experiences of all personnel exploiting collected information. The same body of information may result in multiple analytic products, with different security classifications, time scales, and level of detail. The result of this process is an analytical product - evaluation without any idle speculation and pseudo prophecy. Evaluation and interpretation must describe up-to-date conditions and demonstrate the clusters of future images with alternative developments. Reasonable evaluation reduces uncertainty and makes user's decision easier. At the end the author concentrates on rules of analytical team control and management.

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