Military Papers

Combat Operations on Mountainous Terrain, Challenges and Ways to Solve ThemChallenges Them

2025-02-20T12:35:51+04:00

The presented work discusses the challenges of fighting in the mountains and ways to solve them. The main goal of the work is to identify the main threats that the unit may face during military operations in the mountains according to combat functions. The difficulties of operating on mountainous terrain are also described and recommendations are formulated, which are important to be taken into account by the unit’s command ring during combat training and military operations. Mountains have attracted human attention since ancient times and have always played an important role in human history. They are part of our environment and deeply ingrained in our imaginations, we have not only given them symbolic meaning, but have made them objects of worship and art. Since ancient times, mountains have inspired man with respect and awe. From the anthropogeographic point of view, mountains represent a very diverse and often complex complex of geographical conditions. When analyzing these conditions, it is possible to bring to the fore the separate geographical conditions of this or that mountain landscape and their connection in the issue of preparing the country’s territory for war. When choosing a certain pass for communication routes, historical, economic and strategic conditions often play a greater role than natural conditions. The strategic and military value of mountains (such as the Alps, the Caucasus, the Himalayas, the Balkans, etc.) historically stems from the fact that they represent natural borders between states and have a significant impact on the country’s defense capabilities. High peaks, valleys, and dense forest cover make it difficult for the enemy to maneuver and move, giving the defensive side an advantage. As a result, from ancient times to the present day, mountainous regions are the arena for the development of wars and conflicts of various geopolitical types.

Active Measures, Information Warfare and Information Operations, Areas of Their Use and GoalsAreas Goals

2025-02-20T15:40:28+04:00

This article deals with one of the most important threats in today’s reality, information warfare and operations that have their origins a long time ago. It is true that the named phenomenon had a different expression in actions in the past, but the goal was the same. Propaganda, disinformation, which at the same time is a component of active measures, was carried out by means of print media and mass media, proclamations were spread, and human resources were used to influence and strengthen influence. Today, all this has shifted to another level, cybernetization has changed not only social relations between individuals, but also increased threats and risks in interstate relations.
The active measure is mainly carried out (was carried out) both openly and covertly, it is a component of specific intelligence and counter-intelligence measures and operations, and its purpose is to exert a beneficial influence within the framework of foreign and domestic policy in accordance with the interests of the country.
The successful use of such measures began during the Cold War, which took place after the Second World War between the former allies - the Soviet Union and the United States of America. Similar ways and methods were used by the Soviet Union against the North Atlantic Organization, which it perceived as a threat to be reckoned with.
It is necessary to distinguish “active measures” from purely operational intelligence and counterintelligence, as well as diplomatic activities. Also, we should not equate it with the term “ideological operations” of Soviet origin, which in terms of content can be perceived as a similar manipulation, since it is carried out in order to influence the mood. As for the purpose of active measures, it is expressed in the impact on public opinion and views, as well as on the actions of individuals, states and public organizations. The motive may be to realize the interests of the country, government institutions operating on the basis of apparent order and welfare, to destroy the negative and polarized background in the society, to gain goodwill. Often, the motive can also be retribution and revenge against countries with which the subject country is in open or covert confrontation.
As we mentioned, in the past, the aggressor state could influence the target state by using various resources, in particular, it was necessary to make human efforts to exert a negative influence, to spread proclamations, to spread rumors, to tell anecdotes, but today all this can be done remotely, by placing the desired information in cyberspace, destructively on information systems. and sabotage attack, disruption of critical infrastructure, etc.

“New” Wars from the Perspective of the 20th Century“Century

2025-02-20T16:32:48+04:00

The material presented below is based entirely on two of our earlier letters. The mentioned material is based on the 2009 IB Euro-Caucasian University of Social Sciences Faculty, Institute of Strategic Assessment and Management Problems report presented at the First International conference “Georgia’s Security in the Changing World” titled: “The war of the future in the context of globalization and the security problem of Georgia”. Naturally A question may arise, why we considered it necessary to “update” it, so to speak? The reason is, that now, when two bloody conflicts are going on in Europe and the Middle East, we are in a good position to determine what theorists could and could not foresee about the war at the end of the 20th century. However, this time too, we will limit ourselves only to the discussion of the fourth generation war doctrine.