Conceptualizing caveats for political research: Defining and measuring national reservations on the use of force during multinational military operations

The upsurge in post-Cold War coalition operations has stimulated research on caveats: national reservations on the use of force in multinational military operations. However, because the concept of caveats has no agreed-upon definition, it is used inconsistently. This in turn impedes comparing research findings across academic and policy studies and therefore systematic research. This article is a contribution to the scholarly debate on how the analytical concept of caveats are to be delimited. Crucially, we argue that caveats result from some calculated political decision, and should not be confused with reserved behavior due to financial and technical limitations, or lack of coordination. We suggest that caveats are empirically observed and measured in two ways: First, we argue that coalition rules of engagement should be used as a yardstick for measuring direct reservations on the use of force. Second, we suggest reservations on task-assignment and geographical mobility should be used to register indirect reservations.     

Hybrid warfare through the lens of strategic theory

Hybrid warfare is the latest of the terms/concepts that have been used within the defence community in the last three decades to label contemporary warfare. It has been officially adopted in the core strategic documents of NATO, EU and national governments and has already inspired many articles, policy papers and books; however, this paper is unique in the sense that it analysis the hybrid warfare concept through the lens of strategic theory. It is argued that hybrid warfare does not merit the adoption as a doctrinal concept. Strategic theory instead, which lies at the nexus of all dimensions of warfare, provides a better viewpoint to approach contemporary warfare. It concludes that efforts should be directed towards exploring warfare under the light of eternal principles instead of proving the emergence of new types of warfare.     

Carlo Bianco and Guerra per bande: an Italian approach to irregular warfare

Since the end of the Cold War, a huge debate over how war has been changing has emerged; a common feature is that modern conflicts are not state vs. state wars, but ‘irregular wars’. In order to better understand modern irregular warfare, it is important to analyse past authors and ideas. Carlo Bianco’s concept of Guerra per bande highlights elements of mobility with different cooperating units, of terror, and of complex terrain. The present study offers the first English analysis of Carlo Bianco and underlines the similarities of his work to the hybrid warfare concept.     

网络舆论斗争系统模型与应对策略

装备技术已成为制约网络舆论斗争作战效能的关键性问题。论文突破传统的网络舆论斗争研究定式,根据网络舆论斗争的作战流程,建立了网络舆论斗争系统结构模型,分析了装备技术组成,给出了应对策略。论文的研究成果,对于发展网络舆论斗争装备技术,占领网络舆论制高点,具有重要理论意义和参考价值。     

大数据在信息作战指挥决策中的运用

针对信息作战指挥决策中大数据的运用问题,通过对大数据的海量信息检索能力、交叉复现的分析能力、“全信息”运算能力、智能决策执行能力的研究,提出了大数据为其提供按需订制的情报信息、多元多维的决策视角、动态实时的决策支持、智能自主的决策方式的观点,初步探索了大数据在信息作战指挥决策中的运用,对将大数据引入信息作战指挥决策具有十分重要的指导意义。     

信息心理战理论模型以及量化模型探讨

军事理论的研究在心理战方面已经取得了一些成果,但在量化分析方面显示不足。从信息心理战基本作用原理入手,利用数学建模的思想,构建基本信息传播扩散原理模型并且设置合理参数模拟动态过程,从而获得军事行动中心理战的心理攻击信息内部传播动态数学模型,对于未来信息化战争量化分析以及效能分析有一定参考价值。     

悬浮式深弹在水面舰艇规避 尾流自导鱼雷作战中的应用研究*

针对传统对抗方法难以有效对抗尾流自导鱼雷这一问题,籍由悬浮式深弹拦截原理、在分析尾流自导鱼雷可能航向范围的基础上,建立悬浮式深弹作战使用等模型,对悬浮式深弹在水面舰艇规避尾流自导鱼雷中的作战使用问题进行了探讨。仿真结果表明:使用悬浮式深弹能有效地拦截尾流自导鱼雷,从而提高水面舰艇的生存能力。研究成果为研制新型反鱼雷装备、改进现有装备的战术技术性能提供了有价值的参考。     

无人机在电子战中的作用

现代战争是高技术的信息战、电子战。无人机是一种无人驾驶飞行器,由于其具有隐蔽性好、造价低廉、机动灵活、不惧伤亡等特点,在未来的电子战中,无人机可用于现代战争中的战场侦察、电子干扰、电子辐射等电子战的各个环节。随着无人机技术的不断发展,无人机在现代战争中必将起到越来越重要的作用。     

区域防空网络化作战体系结构研究

区域防空网络化作战是未来防空作战的发展趋势。基于对区域防空网络化作战的需求分析,围绕网络化防空作战中网络连接对象和连接方式两个核心问题,建立了区域防空传感器网络、指挥控制网络、武器系统网络的体系结构。此项研究对于区域防空网络化作战体系的优化分析和规划具有一定的指导意义。     

海上游击战的信息作战机理分析

科学地研究游击战的获胜机理是军事学领域尚未解决的核心问题之一。运用信息作战原理,在海上游击战环境中,通过潜艇与航母战斗群反潜直升机的对抗来分析海上游击战的信息作战原理,研究表明:航母受到攻击的威胁通常为潜艇的1.5到5倍,只要发挥潜艇的信息与火力的联合作战优势来削弱航空母舰战斗群的反潜信息与火力的联合作战优势,仅单艘潜艇就可对航空母舰造成重创。信息作战原理不仅揭示了游击战环境中各种小概率事件及随机因素的影响机理,而且也可用作为对游击战指挥控制原理进行研究的理论基础及方法。