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Perception of Security Threats in the CBRN Sphere: History and ChallengesReviewed - Reviewpplk. Ing. Pavel Otřísal, Ph.D., MBAVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2013, Vol. XXII. (LIV.): 46-64 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.22.2013.01.046-064 The period of the beginning of the 21st century is typical for the situation characterized by minimization of a global conflict and by decreasing risks of a direct aggression among neighbouring countries. Nonetheless, the occurrence and permanent existence of mass destruction weapons and industrial accidents caused by human beings, natural disasters produced by leakages of toxic industrial materials, are considered as a global problem that determinates not only the activities of national armies, but also activities of civil population. The danger of WMD deployment is especially high at time of danger, when forces are to be used or misused, and terrorist activities might multiply in some world's regions, even in technologically underdeveloped countries. |
Alternative Changes in Army AccoutrementsNonreviewed - Reviewkpt. Ing. Michal ZelenákVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2013, Vol. XXII. (LIV.): 193-200 The article presents some prospective variants of accoutrements supply for professional soldiers. The system might operate like that: the soldiers will receive cash money to buy equipment, outfits, even clothing by themselves, in civilian outfit distribution network. There are three possible variants in question, first equivalent items, identical with military categories of components, second sports items, and third field outfits that do not affect the functionality of uniform, its completeness, as well as external appearance. |
Controlling Implementation in Defence DepartmentReviewed - ReviewDoc. Ing. Roman Horák, CSc., mjr. Ing. Blanka Adámková, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2013, Vol. XXII. (LIV.): 91-104 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.22.2013.04.091-104 The article deals with controlling implementation into the mechanism of central institutions and state administrative management of the CzechRepublic (CR), hereinafter state administration. The purpose of this article is to present state administration controlling as an effective control tool, backed by best experiences and practice in the Germany. The authors explain and determine theoretical bases and circumstances to put controlling into practice. They comment the effecitivity of controlling implementation in Czech state administration, using as an example the Defence Ministry of the CR. |
The White Paper and my Alliance ExperienceNonreviewed - OtherJiří ŠedivýVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2013, Vol. XXII. (LIV.): 15-22 At the time of forming the team around a designated defence minister Alexander Vondra, in the early summer 2010, there was no doubt that we need a complex concept document, able to analyze and describe the then situation, to readjust directions and goals for defence department, so that it could stimulate the follow-up transformation of Czech Army. The author, who used to be one of the leading Defence Ministry officials, thus made use of his experiences he gained in NATO structures. He gives an apt, well-founded, and first hand description of key points of this very fresh military history. |
Basic Elements of Modular Force StructuresReviewed - ReviewPodplukovník Ing. Radek Dubec, Ph.D., Ing. Ján SpišákVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2013, Vol. XXII. (LIV.): 27-40 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.22.2013.03.027-040 Článek je shrnutím výsledků řešení projektu obranného výzkumu STRUKTURA: Tvorba modulárních struktur úkolových uskupení pro celé spektrum operací a jejich ověřování s využitím tvorby koncepcí a experimentování - CD&E. Je zaměřen na objasnění problematiky definování modulů jako základního prvku modularity a možné přístupy k výběru hodnocení a formování modulárních úkolových uskupení. Cílem článku je pojednat o možnostech tvorby úkolových uskupení a generování sil v podmínkách definovaných a popsaných scénářů. Hlavní části článku vymezují determinanty organizace modulárních struktur a jejich popis. |
Logistic Support and Sustenance in Crisis SituationsNonreviewed - OtherIng., Bc. Eva Lukášková, Ph.D., Ing., Bc. Helena Velichová, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2013, Vol. XXII. (LIV.): 201-209 This article presents a case study dealing with the system of logistical support at Kyjov town. This kind of support demands a full evacuation of all citizens, ensuring emergency housing and sustenance both deployed persons from integrated rescue corps and evacuated persons. The result of this study is a proposal to update the crisis plan of Kyjov. |
Operational Concept: Reflections over Solving Military ProblemReviewed - ReviewIng. Ján SpišákVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2013, Vol. XXII. (LIV.): 88-93 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.22.2013.02.088-093 There exists a variety of deployment strategies, visions and concepts for armed forces, how they will operate in the future horizon. The key part of operational concepts consists of several key characteristics, which include e.g. the account of military problem, its military solution describing in broad terms how military forces will operate across the wide range of military operations in pursuit of strategic objectives and thereby consequent requirements for military capabilities development. The article does not provide a comprehensive answer to all the problems associated with the concept development. Rather, its purpose is to point out some aforementioned aspects crucial not only for operational concepts developers, responsible individuals and organizations, but it may be beneficial even for commanders in terms of their operational thinking and drafting an appropriate operational approach to solving day-to-day acitivities. |
Armed Forces and Ethnic Riots in Central EuropeReviewed - ReviewDoc. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2013, Vol. XXII. (LIV.): 132-142 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.22.2013.04.132-142 The article deals with particularly topical problem, the riots with ethnic background. The present situation is compared with history illustrations and with similar recent events abroad. Author's reflections and scenarios outline a variant of state failure and its institutions, with the exception of army. He identifies respective incoming risks, among others tied with the so-called Roma question. Actually, his hypothetical solutions are not backed by the current laws of the Czech Republic. The author comes to the conclusion that army deployment might be used only as an instrument of last resort, "ultima ratio". |
Forming Security Culture of the European Union (European Security Strategy)Reviewed - ResearchDoc. 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. |
Armed Forces Capability TheoryReviewed - ReviewDoc. Ing. Milan Kubeša, CSc., pplk. Ing. Radek Dubec, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2013, Vol. XXII. (LIV.): 41-51 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.22.2013.03.041-051 The paper presents reflections over the issue of armed forces capabilities. It is a phenomenon much discussed and written earlier, namely from the point of its building, estimation and development. Nevertheless the question is whether practical experiences are backed by theory fundamentals. Now we have a chance to introduce the live theory of quality management [1] into this specific and frequented military problem. The article is a polemic consideration over possibilities of introducing capabilities management into command and control capabilities system in armed forces. |
Command and Control in EU OperationsMilitary artPplk. Ing. Jaroslav KulíšekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 29-51 This article deals with the EU command and control functions and provides basic information on the structure and capabilities of the EU CCS in Battle Group EU operations. The author describes political and strategical levels CCS (COREPER, GAERC, COPS, CivCom, EUMC, EUMS, BDE HQ, prospective EU FHQ). Only US, EU and E3 (Britain, France, Germany) are capable to realize integrated expeditional operations. The ACR can work only with cooperation with them. The Czech Republic as a small EU member state is actively engaged in the building of the Battle Group EU. The Czech Army is going to increase its expeditionary capabilities as demanded and be prepared for a broader range of conflicts and crises in the vital area of the EU concerns. At present, the ACR is able to carry out a self-supported, integrated expedition operation only on the edge of all its strength. The political leaders must bear this fact in mind, as the army mustn't be overburdened, otherwise it might lose its credibility. All information and data for this paper were drawn from unclassified sources. |
The Debate on Compulsory Military Service Keeps Going (at least in German-speaking countries)Military professionalPplk. Ing. Bohuslav Pernica, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 145-147 After the end of Cold War, all Europe abandons the system of obligatory conscription in time of peace. Advancing European integration changes the configuration of threats, which is reflected in changed structure of armed forces. As Charles de Gaulle said in 1934 (which is also the motto of German book Wehrpflicht oder Freiwilligenarmee? Wehrstrukturentscheidungen im europäischen Vergleich, 2006): "We should not maintain an army we are used to, but we should build the army we really need." They are the structural changes in defence sector that could provide necessary means for common security and defence policy in being. The supporters of professional/obligatory military service differ according to their political beliefs. Surprisingly, in Germany, liberal, green or communist oriented parties prefer voluntary/ professional military service. The same discussions took place in our country after 1990. |
The Cyber War ContinuesInformational pagesPhDr. Antonín RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 73-89 The author summarizes present-day knowledge of this problem. Worms and viruses have transformed to serious security challenges and perfect instruments of cyber espionage. They have become a tool in information warfare. Cyberattacks transformed to risks calling only for technical responses. The growing awareness of the seriousness of the cyber-threat is enhanced by incidents, e.g. the malware "Stuxnet" attacking the Iranian nuclear programme. Actually, cyber space is regarded as a fifth dimension of military deployment, apart for land, air, water, and cosmos. Some nations are already investing massively in cyber capabilities that can be used for military purposes. Most Western nations have considerably stepped up their defences in recent years and are forming special units for cyber warfare. |
Public Procurements: Themes for Further Developing backed by White Paper on Defence in Connection with Governmental Assessment of Public ProcurementsInformational pagesProf. PhDr. František Ochrana, DrSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 105-117 The White Paper on Defence is a frame document that only points out main directions of military activities that further must be worked up in detail at all levels of defence department. This study presents all possible themes in the field of public procurements. As he set principles in the Whiter Paper correspond to those set in governmental document Public Procurements, it depends only on MoD experts to what measure they meet governmental requirements and implement them into drafted concept materials, incorporating rules for placing, assignment, rating, examination and audit. |
Legitimate and Illegitimate Wars after 1990 (Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, the Balkans)Reviewed - ResearchDoc. PhDr. Jan Eichler, CSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 12-24 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.21.2012.04.012-024 This treatise is a follow-up to an article by the same author in Military Review No. 2, 2012, dealing with legal and illegal war after 1990. Now the author concentrates on another key question: the legitimacy and the unlawfulness of force deployments in internationalrelations. The paper is grounded on fundamental works by the former Australian foreign secretary Gareth Evans, setting international rules or criteria determining when it is right to fight. The effectiveness of the global security system is not only on the legality of its security decisions, military actions, but the common perception of their legitimacy-whether they are made on solid evidentiary grounds, for the right reasons, morally as well as legally. |
New Defence Capabilities for New NATO Missions (Lisbon 2010)Pplk. Ing. Ivo Pikner, Ph.D., pplk. Ing. Miroslav Krčmář, doc. Ing. Milan Kubeša, CSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 3-8 Article deals with new insights into the Alliance missions for the upcoming period of five to ten years that are to be conditioned by achieving higher level of future military capabilities for provision of defence and security within the Alliance and its Partners. Some initiatives are described that are needed to be implemented to achieve the required capabilities and also necessary resources and process measures imposed to the Alliance member states and the Alliance as a whole are indicated. The new Strategic Concept aims to define NATO as a modernized Alliance and a cooperative team player in a globalized world. It gives a comprehensive framework for preserving the core ideals of NATO while transforming it into a dynamic Alliance capable of confronting the unconventional and unpredictable threats that define today's international security environment. The article refers to the ideas and thoughts mentioned in a study of the US NDU's Center for Technology and National Security Policy. |
The Application of Fuel Dopes for ACR Cars, Material and EquipmentsMilitary professionalProf. Ing. Aleš Komár, CSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 94-98 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.21.2012.04.094-098 The article presents the results of advanced defence research for the higher economy and security support of military cars and vehicles. The Czech national programme to cut or lower exhaust fumes belongs among our eminent and foremost tasks. Exhaust gases form 20 per cent of total volume of harmful emissions. The newly developed dopes supplemented to fuels, namely to solid fuels, polluting a lot our atmosphere, significantly contribute to the fulfilment of this national task. The article is accompanied by relevant charts and tablets. |
Security and Strategic Culture of USA, EU and CRBook reviewVojenské 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. |
The Report by Madeleine Albright's Team and Its Wide-ranging Contexts ("Council of Wise Men" and Drawing up the Alliance's New Strategic Concept)ReviewedPhDr. Antonín RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 15-30 This concept has been preparing since the early 2009. In short, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation must be increasingly prepared to intervene far beyond its borders. In the coming decade, NATO will have four central inter-related military missions. The first requirement is to "deter, prevent and defend" against aggression, so as to ensure the political independence and territorial integrity of NATO member states. The report insists on the need to send out military missions beyond the treaty area "when required to prevent an attack on the treaty area or to protect the legal rights and other vital interests of Alliance members". Any expeditionary mission must be based on the principles of the UN charter. Another key item is to cooperate better with those partners, and others worldwide, in order to tackle the new threats posed by cyber attacks, piracy, arms proliferation and energy supply insecurity and climate change. However, in order to achieve the new goals, NATO "must halt the precipitous decline in national defence spending", and to introduce reforms to make spending more efficient. |
A Brief Insight into the History of Operational Art and its Contemporary Aspects (Part II)Military artIng. Ján SpišákVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 48-54 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.21.2012.03.048-054 Operational art is the use of creative thinking by commanders and staffs to design strategies, campaigns, and major operations and organize and employ military forces. This article is a sequel to the study published in a previous issue of this Military Revue. The author discusses the fundamental pillars of operational art, upon which Alliance countries build their doctrinal and defence documents concerning operational art. A separate section deals with conditions and status of operational art in the Army of the Czech Republic in the last 20 years. The author calls for the need to introduce operational art in several key areas of Czech doctrines. He recalls the necessity to implement those issues in the prepared Doctrine of the ACR. |
The Czech Fiscal Policy for Internal and External Security after 1998Opinions, controversyPodplukovník Ing. Bohuslav Pernica, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2011, Vol. XX. (LII.): 66-75 When the Czech Republic joined NATO, some structural changes in the national security sector were expected. Actually, changes in national defence strategy were declared by national strategic documents, such as military and security strategies. In addition to it, since 2002 the Czech Republic has been taking part in Global War on Terrorism and, generally speaking, it implies higher expenditures spent on security purposes. Surprisingly, many things have remained the same. The strategic documents were mostly ignored, deep changes did not happen due to fiscal policy based on a traditional incremental budgeting. Proportions between expenditures for internal and external security were only fluctuating. |
The Strategic Control of Czech Republic Defence: a Part of National SecurityReviewedIng. Vladimír KrulíkVojenské 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. |
Operational Analysis: Key Capability Supporting Decision-makingMilitary artIng. 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. |
Strategic Culture: Concept PresentationReviewed - ReviewIng. Tomáš PospíšilVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 26-33 Studies of the importance of culture have gained greater attention in the post-Cold War era. In present world, there are many fenomena that can't be explained in terms of neorealism. There is the consensus in national security policy studies that culture may significantly affect grand strategy and state behaviour. It limits behavioural choices, from which we could derive predictions about our strategic choice. This study is based among others upon Johnston's strategic culture concept related to three generations. The study is divided into five parts: at first the author introduces general concept of strategic culture, the second, third and fourth parts correspond to individual generations. In closing part the author explains his own understanding to this concept. |
Obama's First Year in the White HouseReviewedPhDr. Antonín RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 3-23 President Barack Obama came to power at a difficult time in America's history. Home and foreign policies are hard to manage, among others, as we are on the threshold of post-ethnic society, and in the war with terrorisms. Obama does not give up American leadership, but he is seeking to find the balance between security and liberty, between power and freedom in the world, broadly speaking. As the consequence, Mr. Rašek presumes emerging the new global security situation: the rise of multipolar world, divided into several new political spheres. This author's opinion is backed by comments by reputable world's political analysts. As far as Euro-Atlantic relations are concerned, or relations with Russia, there are excellent prospects, namely there is the progress with Russia on arms control-part of Obama's determination to put the world on a path toward nuclear disarmament. The author ascribes the drop in Obama's popularity to failed healthcare reform; outside the US, to the fact that Obama is not able to define clear goals and missions in Afghanistan. |
Let's Give the Green Light to Military Deception!Opinions, controversyDoc. Ing. Milan Kubeša, CSc., Ing. Ján SpišákVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 65-71 In conclusion of article in Military Review No 3, 2011, the authors gave notice about a sequel to this article. Today they describe military deception form another point of vies. They depict the creation of false picture, deception in the frame of operational planning. The authors accentuate that not only Asian countries, but also western ones look back to classical works on military art, e.g. Sun Tzu, The Art of War (around 2,000 years ago). Sun Tzu's philosophy recommended a strategic method to win that rarely required actual war. Spies, diplomats, deception, and a correctly organised internal structure were his main tools. If it came to war, he recommended among others to use detailed and elaborated military deception. |
Public Sector Economy in Management PracticeMilitary professionalIng. Svatopluk KuncVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 155-161 There is an ambiguous relation as far as management and economy in public sector are concerned. Using the example of British army, the author explains the roots and consequences of changes in the field of source management and compares collected results with the situation in the CR. Both public sector and the Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) are administratively ordered and controlled and meeting the army goals that are not conditioned by economy results. The accounting books do not offer true picture of army possession and properties, among others because the current accountancy system that is not able to classify individual operations, military goals are not measurable. He proposes to set an array of fixed rules to identify ACR economical effectivity. |
The Question of Deployment Length in Peace-keeping MissionsMilitary psychologyMjr. Mgr. Marek NovýVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 122-128 | DOI: 10.3849/2336-2995.21.2012.04.122-128 From research reports cited in this article, the period of six months seems to be suitable time for the deployment abroad. A soldier should not be redeployed for at least one year, following his previous mission. The majority of soldiers cope with deployments well and without any psychopathology. Most reported mental problems are alcohol misuse, followed by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and by the depression. Alcohol seems be even the higher risk for soldiers less exposed to combat stressors (e.g. fire), but more to chronic stressors (boredom, isolation, helplessness) than PTSD for a soldier in action. Therefore pre-deployment training of our soldiers should be more devoted to mental health aspects, starting with alcohol overuse. |
The Development of Security Policy and Strategy of the Czech Republic 1990-2009ReviewedIng. Vladimír Karaffa, CSc., PhDr. Miloš Balabán Ph.D., PhDr. Antonín RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009, Vol. XVIII. (L.): 5-22 This study is based on a paper presented at the conference with the same heading taking place on January 8, 2009. First, the authors enumerate starting points of Czech defence and security polity together with key factors influencing their developments. The whole scale of new threats-from WMD and ballistic proliferation to cyber attack and even non intentional threats like climate change and pandemia-are to be addressed not only in NATO but also in the EU. Existing states of affairs are gradually reflected by Czech security and defence documents: Security Strategy 1999, 2001, 2003; Military Strategy 1999, 2002, 2004, 2008. In this historical context we joined NATO defence alliance and took part in peacekeeping missions abroad. Previous twenty years when we lived in peace could be regarded as a challenge to build Czech statehood. There is no time like a present. Only the future will show us whether we mastered it as much as we could. |
Operational Art: Theory for PracticeMilitary artIng. Ján SpišákVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2012, Vol. XXI. (LIII.): 45-54 The aim of the article is to provide the readers information related to the theory of fundamental elements and tools of operational art, which are for the preparation and conduct of military operations, particularly at the operational level of war, critical. The operational level of war depends on methods that will create appropriate conditions to achieve the closing state, set by a superior commander, in accordance with the complex strategy of military and non-military instruments of state power. Although the methods of application of specific operational art components rest mainly in the mind of the English Annotations and with several acts tied with civil emergency preparation. |

