A Dangerous Method: How Mali Lost Control of the North,and Learned to Stop Worrying

Abstract

This article analyses changes and failures in the northern Mali system of security governance, taking into account the period running from the declaration of the Malian Third Republic (1992) to the present. Considering northern Mali as an area of limited statehood, the article develops a comparative diachronic analysis, distinguishing between three phases, namely Militiarisation (1992–2002), Fragmentation (2002–2012) and Multiplication (2013–ongoing). For every phase the focus is on (1) the mechanisms of coordination among actors, (2) the distribution of coercive capacities and ruling power and (3) the forms of authority. Unintended consequences and collective problems are highlighted, in order to understand the current situation of insecurity in the area.     

Classical geopolitics,realism and the balance of power theory

Since the end of World War II, classical geopolitics as a particular form of realism has been disengaged from the development of mainstream realist theories. This disengagement has not only concealed the value of classical geopolitics as a framework of analysis for policy and strategy, but also created an increasing rift between theory and policy in contemporary realist theories. This paper seeks to reengage classical geopolitics with mainstream realist theories by clarifying its realist traits and analytical characteristics, (re)stating its core propositions and probing into its potential contribution to the development of mainstream realist theories. This paper contends that classical geopolitics, while having a distinctive pedigree, can arguably be considered an integral part of the family of realist theories in view of its basic theoretical assumptions concerning international anarchy, the unit of analysis and power politics. As a framework of analysis, classical geopolitics incorporates three interrelated strategic propositions. Those three propositions not only constitute the theoretical core of classical geopolitics, but also manifest a peculiar balance-of-power conception that is essentially distinct from those proposed by mainstream realist theories. This paper argues that those three propositions combined promise to fill in prominent lacuna in the balance-of-power research programme, and also have significant implications for contemporary world politics.     

基于平衡计分卡的武器装备维修绩效评价指标体系构建

武器装备维修是武器装备维修保障的重要内容,加强装备维修绩效评价,建立科学规范的绩效评价指标体系,对深入推进装备维修工作健康发展将发挥积极作用。以平衡计分卡为研究手段,运用"5M1E"分析法,从一个内核和四个维度出发,分析武器装备维修绩效评价的影响因素,据此建立评价指标体系,并应用于装备维修管理实践,为有效提高装备维修保障效益提供有益借鉴。     

针对多振源密频及波动线谱主动控制的改进算法及试验

为了让船舶机械主动隔振装置在线谱频率波动和多振源密频耦合等实船复杂工况下,仍能取得良好的振动线谱主动控制效果,研究了以多通道窄带Fx-Newton算法为基础的改进算法,提出了窄带滤波相位失真的自适应补偿器,使控制算法对线谱频率波动具有高鲁棒性;研究了多参考信号Fx-Newton算法,从多振源分离提取互不相关的多参考信号...     

基于方位角和多普勒的机动目标无源定位跟踪可观测条件

可观测性分析是无源定位与跟踪系统的前提和基础,只有满足可观测条件才能对系统进行正确求解。应用线性系统理论,以目标方位角和多普勒频率为观测量,对匀加速和匀转弯这两类最常见的机动目标进行了可观测分析,为进一步研究机动目标的无源定位与跟踪提供了理论前提。最后给出了仿真实例,验证了理论分析的正确性。     

微小管道机器人机构设计及动力学分析

设计了一种蠕动式微小管道机器人,采用三组直流电机与螺旋传动装置,通过控制三组电机顺序协调动作,实现了机器人的蠕动前进。研究了机器人在竖直管道中驱动负载的情况,以及爪子适应管径变化的力学调节特征。利用ADAMS动力学分析软件,对机构做了运动学和动力学仿真,通过仿真得到了牵引力和移动速度与结构参数之间的关系。仿真表明,机器人可以适应15~20mm的管道,驱动力达到28N,移动速度为6mm/s。     

一种多约束条件下高超声速导弹对地攻击的三维最优变结构制导律

针对高超声速空地导弹多约束高精度末制导的基本需求,在三维解耦的俯仰平面和转弯平面上分别设计制导律。在综合考虑脱靶量、落角、入射角等多种约束条件后,运用最优控制构造的最优制导律设计了一种三维最优变结构制导律,接着利用梯度自适应下降法和T-S模型改进了速度约束控制。最后通过典型弹道的结果显示该制导律能够满足多约束高精度制导的需要,具有良好的弹道性能。     

分布式火控系统实时通信的设计实现

实时可靠的通信系统是实现分布式火控的关键。介绍了在一个小型实时通信系统的设计中,为保证通信的实时性采取了节拍控制、数据分级、重发限制等方法,为提高通信可靠性采用了断路重组技术、差错控制和冗余技术,软件采用了面向对象分层次模块化设计的方法,提高了可维性和可扩展性。通过这些措施,实现了5km距离内数据和语音的多点实时传输,误码率小于10-6,通信时延小于150ms,满足了分布式火控系统的要求。     

大口径火炮制退机内腔压力测试技术

从火炮反后座装置的特殊结构及测试技术两方面详细分析、总结了我国几种大口径火炮在内腔压力测试时出现不正常现象的原因,并从传感器的机械度、传感器的封装技术、传感器的绝热处理、传感器的频响和排气工装等几个方面改进内腔压力测试的技术工艺方法,并用改进后的方法对155-2型火炮的内腔压力进行了试验,结果表明其工艺方法可准确地测试出内腔压力曲线,从而解决了多年来火炮后座阻力测试技术中存在的关键问题。     

模糊多属性群决策与潜艇作战方案优选

分析了潜艇作战方案的优选实质是一个模糊多属性的群决策过程,建立了模糊多属性群决策的一般模型,介绍了一种以模糊理想解与模糊负理想解同时作为参照基准,以海明距离作为测度工具,以相对贴近度作为衡量标准的模糊折衷型多属性群决策方法,应用实例表明此方法可行有效。