Russia's Afghan ambitions go beyond hurting US aims

Significance Even if firmer evidence emerges, few recorded attacks are likely to be attributable to Russian payments. The main thrust of Russian policy has now shifted from helping the Taliban to supporting US efforts to withdraw from Afghanistan. Impacts The story may have the limited effect of making Russia communicate its aims on Afghanistan more clearly. The claims will remain a US campaign issue as they touch on Trump's judgement, care for the military and willingness to confront Russia. True or not, the claims will reinforce Moscow's reputation as a ruthless and determined player.

Significance This marks the highest-ranking combat casualty suffered by the Nigerian army to date and is part of a series of recent ISWAP attacks as the group transitions into another fighting season following the end of the rainy season. Impacts The military will soon look to launch another major operation into ISWAP-held territory. Absent more robust and flexible ground capabilities, newly delivered A-29 Super Tucano aircraft will have limited effect against ISWAP. Humanitarian services will be confronted by increasing risks.


Significance The situation has highlighted several issues of concern around the influence of the Mexican military, the government’s reliance on it and the challenges Mexico and its security agencies face in trying to meet US demands while addressing domestic threats. Impacts Mexican militarisation was facilitated by Trump administration apathy on human rights; this will change under President Joe Biden. Increased US-bound migration, encouraged by Biden’s more humane rhetoric, will heighten the need for bilateral security cooperation. Future Mexican administrations will struggle to reverse the political influence the military has obtained.


Keyword(s):  

Significance Allegations about ‘terrorist’ and ‘communist’ leanings played a leading part in the polarising elections that brought new President Pedro Castillo to power. Impacts Sporadic armed attacks by SL remnants in the VRAEM area will persist. SL will remain a divisive influence within the left. The military will oppose attempts to bring SL within the compass of formal politics.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Ryan

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reflexively reconsider the effects of the author’s pre-understandings, both academic and non-academic, on the subject matter and the research setting. The unforeseen implications of this disjuncture on our research practice and the expected deliverables are discussed.Design/methodology/approachThe paper engages in a critical, self-reflexive dialogue of a journey through a stimulating yet, uncomfortable piece of feminist, organizational ethnographic research drawing on the insights from the author's research diary.FindingsThe account presented in this paper describes the problematic nature of undertaking a collaborative, reciprocal research project in the distinctive and foreign cultural landscape of the military. The author shows the importance of delving into matters of positionality and preparedness for what might emerge, as a form of closure.Practical implicationsThe paper provides insights into the importance of sponsors to access “the field” and our obligation as researchers to produce written deliverables.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the emerging literature on the significance of reflexivity in feminist inspired organizational ethnographies in highly gendered settings such as the military.


Significance The deployment of the UK troops comes at a time when jihadists attacks are intensifying across the Sahel amid an escalating internecine conflict between the al-Qaida-affiliated Group for Supporting Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). Impacts Mali’s coup is likely to distract the military leadership away from its core mandate to improve national security. The G5 Sahel Joint Force may continue to struggle to curb jihadist cross-border operations. The deployment of UK troops underscores the still strong commitment of Western governments to improving the security situation in the Sahel.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Ruiz Moreno ◽  
María Isabel Roldán Bravo ◽  
Carlos García-Guiu ◽  
Luis M. Lozano ◽  
Natalio Extremera Pacheco ◽  
...  

PurposeThis paper aims to report the findings of a study examining the relationship between different leadership styles and engagement through the mediating role of proactive personality.Design/methodology/approachServant leadership, paradoxical leadership, authentic leadership, employee engagement and proactive personality were assessed in an empirical study based on a sample of 348 military personnel in Spain. The questionnaire data were analyzed through SEM using EQS and bootstrapping analysis using the PROCESS macro for SPSS.FindingsThe results reveal that servant leadership style in officers partially impacts their cadets' engagement through proactive personality but that authentic and paradoxical leadership styles do not mediate the relationship. The authors also verify a direct relationship between proactive personality and engagement.Practical implicationsThe study implications advance the literature on leadership in emphasizing new leadership styles to increase proactive personality and engagement in the military context. This study verifies the importance of military leaders fostering servant leadership as an antecedent of proactive personality. Finally, the authors show that servant leadership partially impacts engagement through proactive personality.Originality/valueThis study explores the relationship among servant, paradoxical and authentic leadership styles, proactive personality, and engagement – relationships that have not been explored theoretically and tested empirically in the military context.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviane de Oliveira Cubas ◽  
Frederico Castelo Branco ◽  
André Rodrigues de Oliveira ◽  
Fernanda Novaes Cruz

PurposeThe authors examine predictors of self-legitimacy for police officers belonging to the Military Police force of São Paulo (Brazil). Considering the variables mobilized by the literature on self-legitimacy, the authors seek to identify what explains the self-legitimacy of militarized police officers.Design/methodology/approachA survey was applied to 298 frontline police officers in the city of São Paulo, analyzing indicators separated into two groups: relationship dimension and organizational dimension. An ordinary least square model is used to test the “relationship” and “organizational” variables on police officers' self-legitimacy.FindingsEffectiveness is the strongest predictor for self-legitimacy. Organizational justice and distributive justice also present important effects, as the perception of citizens' attitudes toward police reinforces the conception of self-legitimacy as a dialogical construct, comprising here the public's expectations of police work as well as the police officers' perceptions that they are respected and considered important by the public.Originality/valueThere are no other studies on self-legitimacy related to Brazilian police officers or exploring these aspects among police officers submitted to a militarized structure. These results contribute to the ongoing debate on the militarization of police activities and their possible effects on police legitimacy.


Significance Some MPs called for this action in the wake of the storming of the US Capitol last month, but the move has been considered for some time following concerns about extremism within the military. Impacts The growth of extremism is linked to a growing divide between conservative white rural areas and cosmopolitan cities. Separatist sentiment in the western provinces may develop a newly radical element from links to extremism. The business sector may face some disruption from an increase in protests and demonstrations. Canada’s reputation for welcoming immigrants could be damaged if there are high-profile incidents involving white supremacists.


Significance His departure is ostensibly a blow for Sudan’s military leaders and a symbolic victory for Sudanese calling for the military to leave power. However, the stand-off between the two groups remains fundamentally unchanged. Impacts If leaders cannot find enough civilians to form a cabinet, they may offer some posts to serving or retired military. Protests and possible strike action will continue but may have only limited impact, unless rising casualties trigger a new flashpoint. Significant new international sanctions are unlikely to materialise.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherry Bhargava ◽  
Pardeep Kumar Sharma ◽  
Ketan Kotecha

PurposeCapacitors are one of the most common passive components on a circuit board. From a tiny toy to substantial satellite, a capacitor plays an important role. Untimely failure of a capacitor can destruct the entire system. This research paper targets the reliability assessment of tantalum capacitor, to reduce e-waste and enhance its reusable capability.Design/methodology/approachThe residual lifetime of a tantalum capacitor is estimated using the empirical method, i.e. military handbook MILHDBK2017F, and validated using an experimental approach, i.e. accelerated life testing (ALT). The various influencing acceleration factors are explored, and experiments are designed using Taguchi's approach. Empirical methods such as the military handbook is used for assessing the reliability of a tantalum capacitor, for ground and mobile applications.FindingsAfter exploring the lifetime of a tantalum capacitor using empirical and experimental techniques, an error analysis is conducted, which shows the validity of empirical technique, with an accuracy of 95.21%.Originality/valueThe condition monitoring and health prognostics of tantalum capacitors, for ground and mobile applications, are explored using empirical and experimental techniques, which warns the user about its residual lifetime so that the faulty component can be replaced in time.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document