Multiperiod capacity expansion and shipment planning with linear costs

In this paper we consider a multiperiod deterministic capacity expansion and shipment planning problem for a single product. The product can be manufactured in several producing regions and is required in a number of markets. The demands for each of the markets are non-decreasing over time and must be met exactly during each time period (i.e., no backlogging or inventorying for future periods is permitted). Each region is assumed to have an initial production capacity, which may be increased at a given cost in any period. The demand in a market can be satisfied by production and shipment from any of the regions. The problem is to find a schedule of capacity expansions for the regions and a schedule of shipments from the regions to the markets so as to minimize the discounted capacity expansion and shipment costs. The problem is formulated as a linear programming model, and solved by an efficient algorithm using the operator theory of parametric programming for the transporation problem. Extensions to the infinite horizon case are also provided.     

Optimal location of a facility relative to area demands

This paper deals with the Weber single-facility location problem where the demands are not only points but may be areas as well. It provides an iterative procedure for solving the problem with l^p distances when p > 1 (a method of obtaining the exact solution when p = 1 and distances are thus rectangular already exists). The special case where the weight densities in the areas are uniform and the areas are rectangles or circles results in a modified iterative process that is computationally much faster. This method can be extended to the simultaneous location of several facilities.     

Algeria: A case study of insurgency in the new world order

Much of the literature on the decolonization of Namibia is set in a narrative mode and demonizes one or the other of the protagonists. This article, organized in a topical fashion, concerns the diplomatic, military, and economic facets of the Namibian war and draws upon the literature of comparable twentieth century colonial and anti-colonial wars in Algeria, Angola, Kenya, Mozambique, the Philippines, South Africa, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. It explores the changing discourse of legitimacy concerning independence for Namibia, the conduct of insurgency and counterinsurgency in the bush war, and economic aspects of that war.     

Assessing regional security dialogue through the agent/structure lens: reflections on ACRS

Using insights from agent/structure dynamics, the authors highlight the interplay between social/ideational elements drawn from the international experience with arms control, and those that prevailed at the state/agent level, among participants in ACRS. At the agent level, they focus on Egypt and Israel, the major protagonists in the talks. Their analysis reveals implicit clashes that occurred among these different ideational dimensions, and their constraining impact on the ability of states to achieve agreement on cooperative security arrangements. They suggest that attention must be directed to these constraints in any attempt to reconvene the ACRS talks.     

COUP D'ÉTAT IN SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE

This paper argues for effective parliamentarian oversight of the expenditure of the security services. It discusses the general principles of public expenditure management and submits that, as the security services render a public service using public monies, they need to be subject to the same principles. The most important of these principles in relation to the security services are those of transparency and accountability. The security services are, however, involved in sensitive issues of state security and some modification in the application of these principles can be substantiated. Not detracting from the principles of public expenditure management and parliamentary oversight, special provisions regarding the management of security expenditure can be instituted. These include special legislation, the conduct of closed parliamentary committee meetings, and the institution of special parliamentary committees. The fundamental question is, however, ‘who decides’. The paper argues that the answer to this question lies squarely in the domain of parliament, which should ultimately decide on any deviations and exclusions from these principles as related to the security services.     

ACHIEVING NUCLEAR BALANCE

One of the most important questions affecting U.S. national security is the future size of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. While there is clear consensus within the U.S. government on the need to reduce the size of the arsenal, there is none on the best path to achieve these cuts; on the type of deterrent necessary to deal with future threats; or on the size of the production complex needed to support that arsenal. Creating a strategic commission to review these questions, as contemplated in the Fiscal 2008 House Defense Authorization bill, is a necessary first step to establish a sensible nuclear policy. The Reliable Replacement Warhead, which has the potential to transform the complex while preserving the current moratorium on nuclear testing, is a program worth exploring further if it stays within congressionally mandated bounds. As Congress considers both programmatic and policy matters related to U.S. nuclear weapons, it is vital that we also renew and strengthen U.S. leadership on nuclear nonproliferation.     

军事文化:一个范式的转换(节选)

本篇译稿节选了美国空军中校卡伦·O·杜尼文《军事文化——一个范式的转换?》一书的部分内容,作者考察了美国军事文化中的社会性变化,探究了美国军事文化中一种介于军事的传统与非传统之间的,介于男性战士为主的范式或信仰体系和以平等主义与兼容并蓄为特征的充满矛盾的进化军事文化模式之间的斗争。这是一场旧思想和新思想之间的竞赛。译者选编了作者战斗部队中的女性(战争中的女性)这一典型案例来阐述美国军事文化中范式与模式之间的差异。杜尼文中校在本书中还考察了美国军事文化中存在的长期冲突,她建议美国军方现在开始需再一次进行文化范式的转换———从传统的以男性士兵为主的排他性价值观向一种兼容并蓄的从军观念转变。作者强调美国军方必须在其发展过程中,削减其分离主义和排外性的倾向。她提出实施这一范式转换的三个对策(战略部署):改变军方的占主导地位的关于“战斗着的,充满阳刚之气”的具有排他性而非包容性的标准和想法;主动接受并控制正在持续的主要的社会性变化;同时接受与个人和组织对范式转换的职责。范式转换的先驱们必须特别地推崇一种兼容并蓄与平等主义的文化。杜尼文中校也强调了美国高级军事将领是产生美国军事范式转换的最佳催化剂———他们是真正的先驱,他们能够使兼容并蓄的文化范式制度化。杜尼文中校提出如下结论:如果美国希望其军方成为美国社会的一面镜子,无疑要接受一种兼容并蓄的文化范式。