Georgetown Security Studies Review
The latest issue (fourth) of the student run peer–reviewed Georgetown Security Studies Review can be downloaded here.
Table of Contents:
Opinion: Unsustainable Peace in Mali
Whit Miller argues that regional pressures will break the ceasefire signed between the Malian government and the Tuareg rebels.
Reevaluating U.S. Defense Conversion Assistance to Russia
Lisa Bergstrom analyzes post-Cold War U.S. defense conversion assistance to Russia. The article shows that, while defense conversion has economic, political, and social benefits, and may even promote the peaceful resolutions of conflicts, the Department of Defense approach to conversion assistance was flawed and unsustainable. The article concludes that, if the United States provides defense conversion assistance to other overly militarized states, Washington should adopt a less centrally-managed approach.
Morality in Intelligence Practice
Natasia Kalajdziovski analyzes morality in domestic counterterrorism intelligence activities through a historical analysis of the moral questions encountered by the British intelligence services throughout the Troubles in Northern Ireland. This case study highlights three important considerations: the complexity of the threatscape as it emerged, the length of the conflict and its many phases, and the level of public scrutiny for the security establishment as the conflict protracted. The article concludes that, with proper oversight and review mechanisms, domestic intelligence requires a “different morality” than what exists in civilian life.
Evolving Civil-Military Relations
Faiqa Mahmood analyzes the role of the Egyptian military in politics and considers how civil-military relations may be improved. This article traces the historical development of civil-military relations in Egypt and then compares the situation in Egypt with those of Turkey and Pakistan. The analysis demonstrates that, while the militaries of neither Turkey nor Pakistan can boast the levels of civilian control present in some Western governments, Egypt can still draw lessons from the evolutionary paths of both militaries.
Winning Minds: The Role of Education in Securing Afghanistan
Elizabeth Royall questions the effectiveness of education in the counterinsurgency effort in Afghanistan. Both the Coalition and the Taliban claimed a correlation between Afghan education and their strategic goals. This article addresses whether Afghan education content and provision affect security. It reviews the history of education in Afghanistan, examines the Taliban’s evolving view of education, and analyzes existing metrics of security and education.
Additional resources and articles and all the back issues of the review can be found here.