An overview of conflict in Africa in 2014

Violent conflict escalated in Africa in 2014, with five sub-Saharan states – the Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan – accounting for an estimated 75% of all conflict-related deaths on the continent. This paper provides an overview of the five major sub-Saharan African conflicts in 2014 and considers the underlying causes and dynamics in the Seleka/anti-Balaka conflict in the CAR, the Islamist threats of Boko Haram and al-Shabaab in Nigeria and Somalia, the civil war in South Sudan, and the long-running conflict between Sudan's government and southern and Darfuri rebels. The paper unpacks the general trends evident in these conflicts and the implications for the settlement thereof, including the targeting of civilians, ethnic and religious mobilisation and the state as epicentre of violence. The paper concludes with a brief look ahead to 2015.     

THE BRAZILIAN WAY

This article examines the positions held by Brazil under the administration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2003–present) on nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, and disarmament regimes and on contentious issues in those areas. Under Lula's government, Brazil has wanted to mediate between nuclear weapon and non-nuclear weapon states to consolidate its position as a strong negotiator and to benefit from the possible gains of this position in terms of greater participation in international institutions. It has also wanted to pressure nuclear weapon states to fulfill their disarmament obligations in order to reduce asymmetries in its relations with powerful nuclear weapon countries. At the same time, Brazil has tried to preserve its autonomy and flexibility to protect commercial secrets and preserve national security in relation to its own nuclear program.     

进入角约束下的载机变结构远距引导

针对一般导引律在载机远距引导中存在的问题,结合远距引导的需求,设计了远距引导的三维变结构导引律。该导引律具有较强自适应性,可以使载机以期望的进入角接近目标。仿真结果表明,载机在该导引律作用下,能以较小过载,平滑轨迹快速接近机动目标,并保证载机引导结束时占有有利的空中战术态势。     

基于椭球模型的雷达/ESM联合定位算法

为了减少作战过程中雷达的开机时间,采用了ESM辅助的方法。在雷达关机条件下,利用多平台ESM对目标进行定位;当雷达开机时,采用雷达/ESM联合定位。本文首先分析了基于椭球模型的多平台ESM交叉定位算法,其次分析了雷达/ESM联合定位算法。通过仿真实验分析,这两种算法具有很高的定位精度;并分析了测量误差对定位精度的影响。该算法具有一定的应用价值     

SDI,NATO, and the Social Composition Function

The strategic defense initiative (SDI) intends to renew the leadership of the USA on the western alliance. The initiative takes place in a period when a summation technology prevails for the aggregation of contributions of NATO allies. We investigate if SDI induces a shift in Hirshleifer’s social composition function. Panel data tests over the period 1970–1990 do not confirm any break toward a best-shot aggregator. SDI does not alter the core of deterrence. It is indeed a public good at the US level but not at the NATO level, where, it is one of the joint products of the alliance. We also investigate the lessons to be drawn for the current debates on ballistic defense.