PRC ENGAGEMENT WITH LATIN AMERICA, AND CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: COMPARISONS AND INSIGHTS

Author(s): Robert Evan ELLIS / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This study compares PRC engagement with Central and Eastern Europe, with that in Latin America in four areas: Political and multilateral activities, trade and investment patterns, PRC soft power, and security. It finds the patterns in the two regions are broadly similar, with differences from the political orientation and institutional characteristics of each country, geographic imperatives, and the structure of economic opportunities in each country. In both regions, PRC-based entities engage in a broad range of areas and economic sectors, seeking to shape the relationship, and to secure access to commodities, strategic markets and technologies, while working to capture as much of the value added from such activities as possible. In both, PRC methods include building “people-to-people networks, leveraging hopes for economic benefits, and conducting security engagements. In both, “populist” regimes give the PRC greater opportunities for lucrative deals and strategic engagements, but are accompanied by uniquehazards.

ROMANIAN DIPLOMACY IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL SECURITY

Author(s): Gabriel MICU / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

In the era of globalization, international security depends to a great extent, if not primarily, on regional security. In turn, regional security is dependent on the environment of economic, political and social stability, existing both at the regional level and in the national space of each state in the area. The degree of diversification and deepening of relations between states determines an amplification and nuance of diplomatic actions, and the bi- and multilateral approaches of the states of the international community to be included in the fundamental objective of the UN Charter, to maintain international peace and security. In this article, we aim to briefly present not only the sources of regional instability, but also the steps that Romanian diplomacy undertakes to maintain regional security and stability.

FROM CURRENCY WARS THROUGH TRADE WARSTO CO NVENTIONAL WARS: REALIZATION OF OLD PREDICTIONS BEFORE OUR EYES

Author(s): Przemysław FURGACZ / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

CONTEMPORARY HUNGARIAN GEOPOLITICAL IDEAS AND ACTIONS

Author(s): Andi Mihail BANCILA / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Geopolitics is a national priority for our Hungarian neighbors, who have understood the need to study the main currents of Western thought and beyond. It is worth noting that these studies with theoretical impact in academia have now found their application in economic, political and cultural issues. Successive Hungarian governments in the post-Communist era, regardless of their political orientation, have sought solutions to promote the national interest, often at odds with the interests of their neighbors or NATO and EU allies. Perhaps the greatest challenge has been to find viable solutions, often bordering on the law, to promote the interests of the Hungarian state among the diaspora who continue to live in neighboring countries.

NATIONAL SECURITY UNDER THE IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION

Author(s): Cătălina-Gabriela CUREA / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The process of globalization was initially an economic process, but it has gradually become an impact on international politics and relations, with major implications, both in the cultural and social fields, Diplomatic, etc. Globalization is a process that intensifies after the second World War and is growing after the cold War. What certainly characterizes globalization at this beginning of the millennium is the fact that it has ceased to be a problem for economists alone. This phenomenon, which influences not only the trade, but also culture and health, is making waves.Globalisation means that events that take place on other side of the world can have an impact of our country, which can influence political stage, economic balance and social and cultural environment. This is the reason why we chose to study globalisation impact.

VALUES OF CYBER THREATS IN CYBERSPACE SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE

Author(s): Rodica LISEANU / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This article addresses the escalating cyber security threats resulting from the gradual digital advancements in an ever-changing and unpredictable world. The global economy witnessed a significant increase in the cost of cybercrime in 2020, with remote working practices during the pandemic exacerbating the situation. Additionally, the European Union faced cyber threats due to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. In light of these circumstances, it becomes crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the broad spectrum of cybersecurity, including its tools and actors. This article aims to provide an analytical overview of cyber threats within and beyond the European Union, emphasizing their transnational nature and the exploitation of human error. It highlights the need for prompt action to protect key sectors and combat cybercrime, emphasizing the vulnerability of digitally uneducated individuals and institutions. Safeguarding against cyber threats is essential as cyberspace represents the interconnectedness of complex digital technologies.

FRANCE'S POSITION IN GLOBAL TECTONICS. GEOPOLITICAL STATUS AND GEOSTRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS

Author(s): Rodica LISEANU / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This article provides a qualitative analysis, supplemented with some quantitative analysis, of France's position in both national and international contexts during a time of increasing unpredictability. France's profile is shaped by geography, geopolitics, and geostrategy, encompassing physical features, neighbouring countries, natural resources, and the state's military and diplomatic activities. The analysis focuses on France's role and position as a significant actor in power dynamics, considering its interests, their intensity, and how other actors perceive its power potential in relationships with allies and adversaries. The article gradually explores the sources of France's national power, including geography, leadership, national will, population, economy, and military capability. Despite a changing global landscape, France maintains its status as a key power in Western Europe due to its strong economy, positive relations with neighbours, and active engagement in transnational organizations, employing diplomacy and tact

EXPLAINING THE PARTICIPATION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN THE BLACK SEA GRAIN INITIATIVE. A CRITICAL ASSESEMNT OF PROMINENT RATIONALS ATTRIBUTED TO THIS DECISION

Author(s): Alexandru LUCINESCU / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine included the blockade of Ukrainian ports from the Black Sea which triggered a severe worldwide shortage of agricultural commodities. Under the auspices of the United Nations and with support from Türkiye it was negotiated an agreement, known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, concluded in July 2022 between Türkiye, Ukraine and the Russian Federation and which made possible for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products to be resumed via the Black Sea. Since July 2022, the agreement was renewed twice and currently it is in force. The Black Sea Grain Initiative drew the attention of experts who put forward various explanations for the participation of the Russian Federation in the agreement, but their opinions differ in terms of both reasons and their degree of relevancy without yet getting them involved in a debate on this issue. The export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers without any impediment resulting from sanctions imposed on it following aggression against Ukraine and the maintaining of close relations with developing states, mostly from Northern Africa are commonly indicated as rationales behind this decision. This paper contributes to stimulate debate by critically examining these two explanations in terms of their relative importance for the involvement of the Russian Federation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative and by providing arguments in support of the prevalence of the latter one. The paper further encourages debate among experts as a result of broadening the second explanation by including under its scope the preoccupation of the Russian Federation for a close cooperation with China and Türkiye.

SOME CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE GEOPOLITICS AND THE GEOSTRATEGY OF THE POST-COLD WAR PERIOD

Author(s): Anton MURARU,Cornel OANCEA / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The article presents some aspects of the period that generated and then led to the end of the Cold War as well as the reconfiguration of the global system after the disappearance of USA-USSR bipolarity. In the perspective of globalization, manifest but contradictory, opinions and actions are presented regarding the perspectives of geopolitical and geostrategic evolution at the level of the international system.

THE THREAT OF A LARGE-SCALE LONG WAR OF AGGRESSION

Author(s): Iulian Chifu / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The large-scale, high intensity long Russian war of aggression in Ukraine (Chifu 2023b forthcoming) has brought back to Europe the perspective of a full-scale war as a direct threat to EU and NATO countries, especially in the Eastern Flank, as it never has been considered in any recent NATO document1. This perspective, even though disputable in the conditions of Russia’s heavy losses and its poor acting in war in front of the Ukrainian army, brought assessments of the needed changes for coping with such a threat in the foreseeable future2. Moreover, the indications of a Russian disposable infantry (Watling and Reynolds 2023) brought up as a new tactic by the evolutions in Bakhmut showed that the West is poorly prepared to face these new instruments in war (Kolesnikov 2022) unacceptable to any country respecting human rights. On this occasion, the assessments revalued the intangibles of war (Chifu and Simons 2023) that make differences on the ground – will to fight, resolution, prestige, sacrifice, solidarity – that weight in more than the number of missiles or soldiers.

BLACK SEA SECURITY ACT – A NEW PROGRAMATIC DOCUMENT THAT BRINGS THE BLACK SEA REGION INTO THE LIGHT

Author(s): Andreea-Amalia STANICA / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

In the current world context, characterized by geopolitical permutations, the Black Sea Region has become an area of significant strategic importance. Thus, at the international level, we are facing a resettlement of the poles of power, which can be analyzed from the perspective of the confluence between the theory of sea power and rimland. The carrying out of new actions that bring a negative impact to the security level of the states located in the Black Sea area has become a concern for the Euro-Atlantic community, the issue leading to the US decision to adopt the Black Sea Security Act in the first part of 2023, a document that launches the US desire to formulare a strategy in the region. In this sense, the current research will focus on making a presentation of the programmatic document, followed by a short qualitative analysis of the measures that will be implemented once the strategic document is adopted.

ASPECTS OF CONSIDERING DOMAINS, DIMENSIONS, AND ENVIRONMENTS MULTI-DOMAIN OPERATIONS’ CONDUCT TO PRINCIPLES AND SPECIFITIES OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

Author(s): Luiza SIRBU (RADUSLAV) / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The evolution of the international security environment requires that the national strategies of the democratic states have at their centre a multidimensional concept, in which the military component has multi-domain capabilities to engage the confrontation with the adversary, which will allow them to achieve the strategic deterrence of potential adversaries, ensuring freedom of action, strategic manoeuvre, dynamic engagement of forces, integrated multi-domain operations, rapid and continuous adaptation. The multi-domain operation concept ensures a unified vision of conducting operations in the future, by including, in addition to the military component, central and local public authorities, private companies, volunteer organizations, and other structures. Such an approach has to manage, in addition to a large number of operational problems, complex situations that derive from the responsibility to respect and apply, in specific ways, the principles and rules of international humanitarian law that are, in turn, in the process of adaptation and renewal.

THE SPIRITUAL, PATRIOTIC, MORAL AND MATERIAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE MINISTERS OF THE HOLY ORTHODOX ALTARS TO THE SUPPORT OF ROMANIA'S EFFORTS IN THE WAR OF ALLIANCE

Author(s): Constantin NEAGU / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

In the history of the Romanians, the First World War (1914-1918) was consecrated as the War of the National Reunification (1916-1919), through which was achieved the liberation of some ancestral territories, as well as the fulfillment of the multi-secular yearning to create state unity. At this crucial moment for our existential destiny, the Romanian Orthodox Church played a substantial role in the equation of resistance and victory to the end, through some hierarchs, military priests, parish clergy, monks and nuns, seminarians, students and graduates in theology, church singers and lay believers. All of them raised prayers for the victory of our soldiers over the enemy and supported them spiritually, morally and materially. Also, they were permanently in the front line of saving the lives of the sons of the country wounded on the front, perpetuating the cult of heroes, helping orphaned children, war widows and refugees.

FORMULATING LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PRIORITIES IN THE NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE STRATEGY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA – GEOSTRATEGIC SECURITY AND THE ROLE OF THE BLACK SEA

Author(s): Mario MARINOV / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The formulation of long-term strategic priorities is a principal element in the construction of national-level security and defence strategies. In the case of the Republic of Bulgaria, such efforts should adequately reflect both national and affiliated allied security concerns and considerations in the context of NATO and Bulgaria’s specific geostrategic location. The following paper places its focus on the geostrategic element in the formulation of priorities and principally the role of the Black Sea in this process. The paper examines the historical and contemporary priorities of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Black Sea region and the evolution of the security environment over the preceding decade. The paper examines the transition of the Black Sea from a region of economic importance to one of expanded military significance, and the underlying risks and threats, which have materialised in the contemporary era. The paper further defines the policy course of the Republic of Bulgaria by analysing the specific frameworks and policy documents on the national level. The overarching deficiencies within Bulgaria’s approach towards the provision of national security are identified and the paper in its final chapter provides for the conditionalities and directions of future policy making and security commitments in the expanded role of the Black Sea region

THE FAKE NEWS PHENOMENON. HISTORY, USE, DEFINITIONS, FORMS AND FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND DISSEMINATION OF FAKE NEWS

Author(s): Ioan-Cristian GHEORGHIU / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The pervasive spread of fake news has become a pressing concern in the digital age, influencing public opinion, decision-making processes, and societal dynamics. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the historical evolution, varying definitions, diverse forms, and factors contributing to the acceptance and dissemination of fake news. Tracing its roots back to the early days of Antiquity, we examine the transformation of fake news within the history, exploring its rapid proliferation through social media platforms and other online channels. Additionally, we discuss the challenges associated with defining fake news, highlighting the blurred boundaries between misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda. By investigating cognitive, social, and technological factors, we uncover the mechanisms that facilitate the acceptance and dissemination of fake news, including different biases and manipulative tactics

IS GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE A BLACK SWAN IN COGNITIVE WARFARE?

Author(s): Tudor URSEIU / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The themes of cognitive warfare, assuring cognitive superiority, black swan events, game theory, and the assessment of the most potent AI platforms for military decision support are explored in this article. The emphasis is on evaluating how well AI platforms can support military decision-making and maintain cognitive supremacy in the face of unforeseen circumstances. The essay starts off by outlining cognitive warfare and how it makes use of AI technology to sway and control the opponent's thinking. The use of strategies in a military environment is highlighted. It is highlighted how important it is to comprehend and respond to black swan situations because they present difficulties and have repercussions for military decision-making.

THE IMPACT OF COGNITIVE WARFARE ON PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING IN MILITARY CONFLICTS

Author(s): Danut-Adrian SERBAN / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Advanced technologies such as cognitive warfare and artificial intelligence are ushering in a transformative era for human civilization. Revolutionary initiatives led by international military organizations are cultivating the development of innovative technologies, serving as a catalyst for the modernization of society while simultaneously strengthening global security. The pace of technological progress is on a relentless upward trend, propelled by economic and military incentives, and the desire of scientists and researchers to push into previously unexplored territories is a response to the daily challenges we face. The complexity of military conflicts is escalating due to the unparalleled progress of contemporary military technologies. When harmonized with traditional technologies, these modern advances overturn traditional paradigms of strategic planning and operational deployment of forces and resources, thus exerting a significant influence on decision-making in military conflicts.

THE MAIN TOOLS OF COGNITIVE ATTACKS ON CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY – DISINFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA

Author(s): Ilie IFTIME,Marina IFTIME / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The dynamic of the current security environment outlines a diversified panel of tools registered in the cognitive attacks domain. These have been used since ancient times, literary taking different forms such as “the deception”, which Sun Tzî refers to by saying: “The whole art of war is based on deception” (Sun Tzî 2012, 44). Over time the methods and means have adapted and new terms and concepts appeared. Therefore, nowadays we are talking about the psychological war phenomenon which is present almost every time alongside the classic one, supporting some strategies and operations in the battlefield. The psychological war is planned on the basis of some complex studies taken in social engineering domain by which some various indicators are identified (social support of the government, the war perception, the morale of the troops, the main national goals, social fears/desires/hopes, etc.)and can be used later in different cognitive attacks, such as disinformation and propaganda

USE OF CHATGPT GENERATIVE AI IN UAV FIELD

Author(s): Marian Darius CRET / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This academic paper explores the utilization of ChatGPT in military fields, with unmanned aerial drones. Recent developments of Artificial Intelligence and the spread of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have opened up new opportunities for improving military operations. ChatGPT, an OpenAI large language model, offers an attractive possibility to incorporate natural language processing capabilities into military UAV, enabling efficient communication and effective decision making processes. The paper concludes with a discussion of ChatGPT’s future potential in military UAV, emphasizing with the importance of continued research and development to overcome the challenges and maximize advantages.

COGNITIVE SUPERIORITY AN EMERGENT ASPECT OF HYBRID WARFARE

Author(s): Daniel-George GABOR / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Cognitive superiority emerges as a new aspect to be considered in the context of hybrid warfare. Whether from an individual perspective or a social standpoint, relevant aspects can be identified through which cognitive superiority/inferiority can reveal advantages/disadvantages that can be exploited in a multidimensional hybrid war. We aim to explore how cognitive superiority can be used in hybrid warfare, addressing various aspects such as analysis and anticipation, countering disinformation and manipulation, techniques of influence and psychological aggression, the use of technology and artificial intelligence, data mining and what it can reveal about various aspects of society, as well as the importance of collaboration and information exchange. We will also identify ways to increase resilience to aggression and policies for achieving cognitive superiority. Who are the actors and what relevant policies can be implemented to enhance the ability to withstand knowledge-based aggression? We will emphasize the role of education and the influence of media and social media, the protection of critical infrastructures, especially in the cyber domain, collaboration and information exchange. We also highlight critical thinking and resilience to manipulation, research, innovation, ethics in the use of disruptive technologies, and the legislative framework in which they can operate. The multidimensionality of hybrid warfare requires decision-makers and stakeholders involved in maintaining and developing security to consider the extensive implications of competitive advantages that can be derived from the exploitation of cognitive superiority, as well as the vulnerabilities that can be identified in the area of interest in the context of cognitive inferiority compared to a presumed hostile actor