FOUNDATIONS FOR REGIONAL SECURITY: PREPARING TO KEEP THE PEACE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the continent of Africa, particularly Greater East Africa, has played an increasingly signifi cant role in United States (US) national security strategy. Transnational security threats and political authoritarianism continue to plague the region, creating calls for greater US and international involvement. Before reacting to the situation, however, it is prudent to pause, reflect, and understand that the United States developed strategic relations with nation-states in the region well before contemporary concerns for international terrorism and ungoverned spaces entered the strategic lexicon. Toward a more comprehensive understanding of Greater East Africa's strategic history, this paper examines the core strategic relationship in the region, US-Kenya relations, its origins and implications, and offers policy recommendations that will affect future international security.     

The Race that wasn't

ABSTRACT

Graham Farmelo's new book on the early British nuclear weapon program assembles a fascinating cast of characters in a gripping narrative. It particularly succeeds at illustrating the importance of “atomic energy” imagery in the United Kingdom well before the discovery of fission, and provides nuanced insights into Churchill's handling of issues relating to the atomic bomb and scientific expertise. However, in arguing that the British had a “lead” on the manufacture of atomic bombs that was “lost” to the United States during the early Manhattan Project, the book overstates its case, and in the process misunderstands what it took to make the bomb.     

Increased Chinese and American defence involvement in Africa

There is often a perception put forth of a fight for supremacy between China and the USA. This is often the case when discussing the continent of Africa. Both countries have recently increased their involvement in Africa for a variety of reasons. In 2011, China surpassed the USA as Africa's largest trading partner, with Africa predicted to be Beijing's largest trading partner by 2017. As expected, their bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation with strategic countries and organisations has matured and expanded along with it. Washington's own economic interests, al-Qa'ida and threats to maritime security are some of the crucial elements behind the US's presence on the continent. This article analyses both the USA and China's rising defence involvement in Africa. It compares and contrasts their similarities and differences, and argues that cooperation in certain areas can prove beneficial for all parties involved.     

从X-47B看美国无人作战飞机发展

无人作战飞机代表了航空装备无人化发展的方向.美国X-47B无人作战飞机已经完成了航母上自主弹射起飞和拦阻着舰,标志着美军海空作战模式将发生革命性的改变.这是人类的一小步,但对于无人系统来说却是技术发展的一大步.文章以X-47B为例,回顾了美军无人作战飞机的发展历程,分析了美军对无人作战飞机的概念和认识的变化,以及无人作战飞机对未来空中作战的影响,总结了值得借鉴的经验和教训.     

中国小说史上的第一座丰碑——论唐传奇在小说史上的地位

唐传奇的出现,标志着中国古代小说的真正成熟.从"辅教"到"有意为小说",从"实录"到"作意好奇",标志着小说创作自觉时代的开始.从写鬼神灵异、奇闻佚事走向现实生活,使小说表现的题材得到极大拓展.小说情节曲折,结构谨严,人物形象鲜明,艺术上有了长足进步.它承前启后,对后世小说的发展产生了极大影响.唐传奇是中国小说发展史上的一个里程碑.     

统计抽样方法在外语单词测验中的应用

本文通过分析一般工业产品计数抽样检验方法与外语单词专项测验的特点,发现二者本质相同。利用统计抽样方法不仅可以获得随机样本(试卷),排除某些主观干扰,同时还可以对受试方和考核方风险率进行评价和选择(按四个分级标准,给出了风险率不同的六组测验方案)。此法已为《大学英语词汇系统软件》采用.     

规范外训教学 提高培训质量

根据多年外训教学实践的体会,探讨了外训教学当前存在的主要问题,提出了改进意见,并对外训教学的规范化问题提出了自己的看法。     

反辐射及抗反辐射导弹的技术现状及前景

以反辐射导弹技术发展为前提,综述抗反辐射导弹的技术措施及发展途径。     

Dangerous work: Terrorism against U.S. diplomats

The goal of diplomats is to represent their countries’ interests through diplomacy, not arms. Because they are not military personnel, they may be perceived as at lower risk of being the target of terrorists. However, recent events have called this perception into question. Despite this danger, there has been little research on terrorist attacks against diplomats. Drawing on the terrorism studies literature, this article argues that diplomats are targeted more than non-diplomatic targets in countries where certain U.S. foreign policies are implemented. An empirical analysis of 471 attacks against U.S. diplomats from 1970 to 2011 reveals that while U.S. alliances and foreign aid increase the likelihood of attacks against diplomats, U.S. military intervention and civil war, on the other hand, increase the risk of terrorism against non-diplomatic targets. This finding is relevant because it shows terrorist attacks against diplomats result from certain types of foreign policy.