The journal UNISCI (ISSN-e 2386-9453) publishes work on topics related to International Relations and Security, understood both in the broadest sense and from a multidimensional focus, open to different theoretical perspectives.
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Terrorism, Jihadism, Organized Crime in the Global Security Strategy of the European Union
Terrorism is considered by the Global Strategy for Foreign Affairs and Security of the EU as one of the main threats for the security of the European Union. The battle against terrorism has achieved important results in the past fifteen years. This article analyses the new Strategy asking if it will be enough to respond effectively and efficiently to this threat and if all the available tools are being used to end with it.
Cybersecurity as a critical factor for the Security of the European Union
Cyberspace is a very complex conflict scenario in constant evolution. Neither the European Union nor any other actor of the international system is safe from cyberspace threats. But the steps taken in the EU on cyber-security are clearly insufficient. Europe needs a cybersecurity Strategy really able of integrating the different national Strategies. It is urgent to have a stronger determination, more resources and better tools, allowing the Union to implement efficient crisis management and cyber-conflict prevention.
Climate change and the Global Security Strategy of the European Union
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges the world has to face. The UE has dealt with this issue in a clearly insufficient way from a theoretical point of view, with too static approaches and even becoming conformist with their own action. However, at the same time, it has been one of the first and main international actors in the fight against climate change. The Global Security Strategy in the EU does not deal adequately neither with the climate change as a crucial priority, nor with some of its implications in the politics of the Member States of the EU.
Energy Security and the Global Security Strategy of the European Union
This article proposes an expanded definition of the concept of energy security going beyond the classic concept of the IEA, incorporating issues related to energy efficiency, the acceptability of the energy model and the challenges posed by climate change All this, without losing the perspective of the economic competitiveness requirements of the global society. On the basis of this wider concept, the article explains the evolution of the EU energy security, paying particular attention to the final presentation of this topic in the Global Security Strategy of 2016.
The Challenge of Migration and the Global Security Strategy of the European Union
This article discusses the challenges of irregular migration for the security of the EU. They are analyzed starting with the European Security Strategy 2003, and the Report on its Implementation, 2008, and notes many failures: The EU Members did not follow the directives adopted in Brussels, the mismanagement of migration and asylum policies, and numerous actions that can be characterized or described as improvised, scattered or irresponsible. The 2016 Global Strategy recognizes these failures and call attention to the European leaders to reconsider how the EU functions and operates, suggesting the need for greater unity and cooperation to achieve a more effective migration policy. However, the article points out that practically all of the sections of the new Strategy dealing with migration were already embodied in previous Strategies, and stress that in parallel with the publication of the 2016 Global Strategy, actions are already undertaken, such as the EU readmission agreements signed with several important third countries of origin.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Global Security Strategy of the EU
The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) is one of the main security challenges facing the international community today. However the new Global Security Strategy of 2016 raises the question of non-proliferation of WMD only as an incidental matter, not addressing directly the threat, a fundamental threat in the regional and global security. This is a clear step backwards for the European common security.
The north of Africa, the Sahel and the Global Security Strategy of the European Union
This article tries to present an appropriate redefinition of EU policy towards North Africa and the Sahel, both geographically and in strategic terms, as set forth in the new European Strategy (June 2016). The article compares the principles and the evolution of the European Security Strategy (2003) and the European Neighbourhood Policy with the new European Global Strategy of June 2016. The new Strategy is considered as a guide for the implementation of the EU foreign and security policy, inter alia, in its periphery. Unfortunately, the conception of the region is rooted in the past.
Russia and the Global Security Strategy of the European Union
The present article reviews the relations between the EU and Russia in the past decade and shows the deterioration of the bilateral relations. The Putin´s Russia has become a very active geostrategic player, with a worrying behaviour, breaking balances in the international scene established since the end of the Cold War. Russia is a priority in the Foreign and Security Policy of the European Global Security Strategy, but has become also a clear competitor. This last aspect is not sufficiently underlined in the Strategy and thus the strategic framework is not clear. In parallel, it is not clear in the Strategy which are the tools the EU has to defend its neighbourhood when their independence, sovereignty or territorial defence may be put in question. This question goes beyond the support to the resilience of those neighbours.
Relaunching Rapid Deployment Forces: The Battlegroups
The utility of Battlegroups, nearly a decade after declaring their full operational capability, has been and will continue to be questioned due to the European inaction. In order to become a global international actor, as proclaimed for many years, the EU will need to consolidate its capacity of military rapid response capabilities to deal with multidimensional crisis and to carry on all the spectrum of the Petersberg Tasks. This article reviews the concept and development of the Battlegroups and proposes a package of reforms in order to become an effective tool for a military rapid response.
The European Union and NATO in the new Global Strategy of the European Union
The article analyzes the relationship between the European Union and NATO on defense issues, as reflected in the different security strategies of the European Union, with particular attention to the 2016 EU’s Global Strategy. The paper focuses on the 2003 European Security Strategy, the 2008 Implementation Report, and the new approaches to both the international environment and the European security, that are developed in the Global Strategy. The evolution of NATO policy is also discussed, as well as the changes of the United States security and defence policy towards Europe during the Obama administration. Finally, the article discusses the future of the Common Security and Defense Policy of the EU (CSDP) after Brexit, and the consequences for the EU-NATO relationship.
Jorge Dezcallar (2015): "Valió la pena: Una vida entre diplomáticos y espías Barcelona", Ediciones Península. ISBN: 978-84-9942-449-1, 479 pp.
Colom Piella, Guillem (2016): "De la compensación a la revolución: la configuración de la política de defensa estadounidense contemporánea (1977-2014)". Madrid, Instituto Universitario General Gutiérrez Mellado. ISBN: 978-84-60864004, 340 pp.
García Cantalapiedra, David y Herrero de Castro, Rubén (2015) "Aliados. Relaciones Transatlánticas: Seguridad e Imágenes del siglo XXI"
Toby Dodge and Emile Hokayem (2014) "Middle Eastern Security, The US Pivot and the Rise of ISIS"
Detecting conflictive cultural factors in complex scenarios of intervention: Military and local actors in interaction
The integration of cultural elements into the operational planning process is a complex task that requires practical and theroretical tools for a wide comprehension of the context to help solve the problem. This article shows the results of an empirical research which presents conflicting cultural factors as the starting point for the construction of mediating structures. The main result of our research is a partial cognitive structure, a system of ideas, represented in a template listing the basic conflictive factors at the tactical level that military could find in the development of their tasks. The template is also a valuable aid to design military training curricula and to be applied to any post-conflict stability operation in complex environments resulting from irregular or asymmetric conflicts.
The Communicative Dimension and Security in Asia-Pacific: A communicative-viewing proposal for reform of the Japanese Intelligence Services
The postwar development of the Intelligence Services in Japan has been based on two contrasting models: the centralized model of the USA and the collegiality of UK, neither of which has been fully developed. This has led to clashes of institutional competencies and poor anticipation of threats towards national security. This problem of opposing models has been partially overcome through two dimensions: externally through the cooperation with the US Intelligence Service under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security; and internally though the pre-eminence in the national sphere of the Department of Public Safety. However, the emergence of a new global communicative dimension requires that a communicative-viewing remodeling of this dual model is necessary due to the increasing capacity of the individual actors to determine the dynamics of international events. This article examines these challenges for the Intelligence Services of Japan and proposes a reform based on this new global communicative dimension.
The Intelligence Studies in Spain: The state of the art at the end of 2015
Everything related to intelligence has been progressively getting into the public debate on democratic societies. Spain is not a separate case. In the last few years the courses on intelligence offered, with different perspectives and disciplines have increased exponentially. In this study we analyze the courses offered on different intelligence topics in Spain from 2012 to 2015, reaching several conclusions on the state of the art on intelligence studies and the road ahead
Japan´s energy future: Between a return to nuclear energy and a turn to renewables
After the triple disaster of 11 March 2011, Japan is at an energy crossroad. In the short and medium run it depends on fossil fuel imports to ensure its energy security, but the long term will be determined by the decisions taken at present. For Japan energy security is a national security challenge, as stated in its National Security Strategy. The article reviews the Japanese nuclear path, studies the factors shaping the Japanese electricity market and analyzes the current energy situation. Moreover, it also assesses the principles that have marked Japan’s energy policy and the two last Strategic Energy Plans -one prior to Fukushima and the other after it- before tackling the debate on the optimal future energy mix that Japan should adopt to meet its energy security trilemma, marked by its environmental commitment.
The Approach to Daesh in Tunisia: From Bardo to Ben Gardane, aYear of Terror
Starting from a descriptive analysis of the main attacks by Daesh in Tunisia, this article examines the nature and evolution of the terrorist organization in this North African country. Thus, it examines the characteristics and vicissitudes of the attack on the Bardo Museum in March 2015, the attack on the Susa beach in June 2015, the bombing of the Presidential Guard in November 2015 and, finally, the military offensive against the town of Ben Gardane in March 2016. In addition, it presents some previous facts that are relevant in this research, such as the important presence of Tunisian foreign fighters in Syria or Libya, and, in particular, the threat of Daesh in Libya to the Tunisian State
The advantages of applying the business triangulation model between Spain, China and Latin America. A win-win relationship for all poles
Spain can play an important role in the process of internationalization of Chinese enterprises in Europe and Latin America thanks to the historical experience of Spanish multinationals in these regions. Given the good tune existing in the diplomatic relations between Spain and China, if Spain takes advantage of its privileged position compared to other European economies, China might be interested in getting the support of Spain in Latin America, thereby facilitating the implementation of cooperation initiatives among the three poles. The key points to build a win-win partnership, based on a triangular scheme, is the importance of a local partner for the Chinese enterprises in their expansion in Latin America, in addition to the expertise and know-how needed in business processes, being the Spanish companies the best positioned in these areas.
The Russian Foreign Policy in the Middle East. Continuity or Change?
The USSR and Russia´s foreign policy towards the Middle East in the last century has been one of continuity. Time changes and influences by several internal and external factors have hardly altered the main features of such a policy. Russia’s foreign policy has been developed mainly in response to the US’s policy in the region rather than being an attempt to consolidate its own and a more coherent policy. However, the situation after the 2011 uprisings or Arab springs, as well as the Syrian conflict has allowed Russia to recover a more active presence in the region in political and military terms, obtaining significant economic and commercial gains. Russia’s limited intervention in Syria has consolidated its position as a key strategic player winning considerable political and diplomatic benefits.
New Tendencies in Criminal Organization and Geographical Mobility. Geopolitical Approach and Criminal Intelligence
This article aims to provide an explanatory introduction to the types of possible relationships in the organized criminal field, organizational models and geographical mobility, through the conjunction of the disciplines of criminology, geopolitics and criminal intelligence. The study has two objectives: first, to provide a reflection that favors the opening of research on the morphological diversity of criminal organizations, the alliances forged between them as well as their territorial expansion, and second, maximizing the knowledge in order to support the strategic decision-making, public policy and detection of exploitable vulnerabilities for the development of intervention strategies.
The Narcotisation of FARC and ELN guerilla activities, 1998-2012
This article aims to present the security policies implemented by Andrés Pastrana (1998- 2002) and Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010) and how these policies transformed the FARC and ELN guerrillas, taking into consideration the change in the spatial dynamics of the armed conflict, which has increasingly focused on peripheral and border enclaves and the increased reliance of funds coming from illicit crops. All this ended up distorting the guerrillas and enhances the ability to understand the new dynamics of violence in Colombia and the real options for overcoming the conflict.
Double Reassurance or Double Instability?: The US Role in Asia and the Conflict over the Senkaku / Diaoyu islands
Since the Second World War the US has been considered an external balancer in Asia for decades. In the current situation, as the US and the PRC are fighting for the hegemony in Asia, that condition might be changing. Different conflicts in the region, in particular that of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands might show this change.
German-Polish relations. Political and economic aspects
The aim of this article is to analyze the Polish-German relations in the last 25 years. The article will concentrate on the expectations declared in the early 1990s as well as on the results that were achieved. I argue that economic strength was successfully used by the German government to give German-Polish relations a new quality. Polish-German relations are an example of successful implementation of geo-economics strategy by the German government.
Poland and Ukraine are the two biggest and most populated countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Because of their size, neighbourhood and position in the region the two countries have often been compared to France and Germany. Both countries are deeply interested in their mutual cooperation. Such situation steams from five factors: direct neighbourhood, common (albeit difficult) history, attractiveness of the Polish labour market for the Ukrainians, membership of Poland in the Western structures, and last but not least, the Russian threat. Despite complimentary interests, both countries have difficulty to effectively develop their mutual relations and turn them into a real "strategic partnership". These problems are due to the internal political and economic situation in Ukraine, limits imposed by the membership of Poland in the EU, Russian policy aiming at keeping Ukraine within its zone of influence and, finally, the EU reluctance to effectively engage in Ukraine.
Poland and Russia at the turn of XXI century. Between a liberal illusion and imperial realism
In this article the author examines how Poland and Russia perceive international relations and the objectives of foreign policy using specific research approaches Later, the article tries to illustrate the incompatibility of the ways these two countries perceive the world. In order to achieve this goal, it was necessary to refer to concepts explaining these two approaches. In this regard, the author takes advantage of selected currents of structural and offensive realism, the concept of interdependence, institutionalism and liberal theory, which in the context of identification of preferences and perceptions were complemented by research reflections originating in constructivism.
Poland’s foreign and security policy: main directions
This article tries to present the main areas of Polish foreign and security policy.Poland’s membership in the EU and in NATO was the strongest determinant of its position in international relations, and the guiding light of its foreign policy. Poland’s work in the EU was focused in particular on EU policy towards its eastern neighbours, common energy policy and security issues, while in NATO, Poland has always been a proponent of the open doors policy and has maintained close relationship with the US, supporting many of its policies and initiatives.
Polish International Relations Studies and Post-Historiography, Disciplinary Development after the Cold War
The purpose of this article is to present the methodological and institutional development of international studies in Poland, which were formed under the influence of the unique historical experience resulting from Poland’s geographical location between Germany and Russia. This unfavourable geopolitical location was overcome after the Cold War, when Poland joined Western institutions: NATO and the European Union. The integration with the West provided a qualitatively new impetus for the development of international studies and especially the issues of security and European integration; moreover, entirely new possibilities of academic cooperation opened up in the field of international relations studies. The article focuses on the following issues: first, the historical tradition of international relations studies in Poland until the end of the Cold War; and second, the process of autonomisation of international studies in Poland as a discipline of social sciences after the fall of communism.