In autumn 2015, we in the Editorial Board of Contemporary Military Challenges decided to re-publish for our readers the topics, which had been first published between 2012 and 2014 and are related to the development of the Slovenian Armed Forces. The Slovenian versions of these articles have already been published before, while the aim of this issue is to share the views and thoughts of the authors also with others in the international environment. Therefore the articles have been translated into English.
For many years, we have been members of various international and security organizations. Over this period, we have gained a lot of experience in the field of international cooperation, both in peacetime structures and in international operations and missions. Looking ahead, it is important to possess abundant knowledge, both theoretical and practical, and to exchange it. In quality exchange of knowledge, writing of articles, first and foremost in one's mother tongue, can also be of assistance. In 2011, I discussed the importance of writing and producing Slovenian military literature in Slovenian language with Dr Ada Vidovič Muha, expert in Slovenian language and the first Head of the Department of Slovenian Studies at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana. She mentioned that the texts of highest quality were always produced in a native language, while those produced in a foreign language never identically depict what the author had said or wanted to say.
Certainly, we all agree with her statement. The translations of articles in this issue were first reviewed by Slovenian proof-readers, then by translators employed in the Slovenian Armed Forces (i.e. Ministry of Defence), who have long been closely and carefully taking care of the texts produced in the Slovenian defence system. The authors also did their share of work by thoroughly reading through and authorising the translations of their articles.
When articles, which have been written some time ago, are re-published, there is always a question of their topicality. Is a specific topic already irrelevant? Were the author’s predictions for the future when he wrote the article correct or false?
After the articles translated for this issue had been published for the first time, we received different responses and comments. But it is also true that none of those commenters ever wrote any articles to substantiate their comments. Therefore, the articles remained written down, while the opinions and comments on them were lost somewhere on air. Now, you, as the readers of this issue, have the opportunity to assess the topicality of the articles yourselves.
Igor Kotnik based his article Professionalization of the Slovenian Armed Forces – a goal or a path on the project “Transition to professional armed forces complemented with contractual reserve” (PROVOJ), which started in 2003. The author defines the present-day situation and wonders how we should proceed in the given circumstances and considering the restrictions which he divides into nine thematic challenges.
Viktor Potočnik writes about Slovenian Armed Forces size and character. A lot has already been written, in general, about how many members and which types of units the Slovenian Armed Forces should have. In this paper, the author reveals the truth. His overview and the calculations are very simple and transparent. Just as when the article was first published, we again wonder whether there is anyone among the readers who does not agree with his opinion and would be willing to write an article about it.
The article by Mojca Pešec and Uroš Krek Can the process of professional military education create military strategists presents the authors’ views of the education programmes for military strategists in Slovenia both from the theoretical and practical points of view. The authors also substantiate the need for more intensive and better quality strategic theory study programmes.
Ivan Žnidar acquaints readers with Transformation challenges to safety and security at Slovenian sea. He states that comprehensive approach, cooperation, coordination and integration of various services for safety at sea provide some of the answers to the question of the rationalisation of the modern security environment.
The article Participation of the Slovenian Armed Forces in international operations and missions in light of foreign policy of the Republic of Slovenia by Branko Podbrežnik highlights international, political and legal frameworks that affect and define the functioning of the Slovenian Armed Forces in the turbulent international environment.
THE SLOVENIAN ARMED FORCES 15 YEARS AFTER THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA JOINED NATO