Swedish Defence University
Not a member yet
3733 research outputs found
Sort by
Ett flygvapen reducerat till hälften : En argumentationsanalys av riksdagsdebatten kring System 37 Viggen
No full textDenna kandidatuppsats undersöker den parlamentariska debatten kring utvecklingsprojektet av enhetsflygplanet Saab 37 Viggen, motiverat utifrån bristen på tidigare forskning om beslutsprocesserna kring Sveriges vapenproduktion och -anskaffning samt deras politiska legitimitet. Genom att tillämpa ett teoretiskt ramverk med utgångspunkt i Niklas Stenlås artikel Embedded Technology, kompletterad av James Kurths bokkapitel Aerospace Production Lines and American Defense Spending, syftar studien till att belysa debatten genom en förståelse för Sveriges militärindustriella komplex och de faktorer som påverkar vapenanskaffning. Uppsatsen använder sig av en argumentationsanalys och en empirisk generalisering av riksdagsprotokoll, förslag och utskottsbetänkanden. Stödet för Viggenprojektet i riksdagsdebatten säkerställdes av en korporativ social struktur som berättigade försvarspolitiken och förstärktes ytterligare av 1958 års försvarsbeslutet, vilket garanterade ett kontinuerligt stöd för upprustning. Projektets värde formades av lärdomarna från andra världskriget, vilka betonade behovet av en inhemsk försvarsindustri — en uppfattning som upprätthölls genom ett långsiktigt och nära samarbete mellan nyckelorganisationer inom det militärindustriella komplexet och som cementerades genom en neutralitetspolitik. Även om Viggenprojektet väckte kontrovers på grund av bristande transparens och demokratiskt beslutsfattande, säkrades dess fortgång genom omfattande investeringar och en sluten politisk process som gav företräde åt teknokratisk expertis i beslutsfattandet. Debatten påverkades vidare av samtida förändringar i försvarsdebatten, som återspeglade projektet som en symbol för ett flygvapen reducerat till hälften.This bachelor’s thesis examines the parliamentary debate regarding the development project of the multirole combat aircraft Saab 37 Viggen, motivated by the lack of previous research on the decision-making structure of Sweden’s weapons production and procurement as well as their political legitimacy. By applying a theoretical framework based on Niklas Stenlås’ article Embedded Technology, enriched by James Kurth’s book chapter Aerospace production Lines and American Defense Spending, the study aims to enlighten the debate through the understanding of Sweden’s military-industrial complex and the factors influencing weapons procurement. The thesis employs an argumentative analysis and empirical generalization of parliamentary protocols, proposals, and committé statements. The support of the Viggen project in the parliamentary debate was safeguarded by a corporative social structure that legitimized the defence policy, further reinforced by the 1958 defence decision, which enabled continuous support for defence armament. The significance of the project stemmed from lessons learned during World war two, emphasizing the need for a domestic defence industry — a perception maintained through the long term, close relationship and cooperation between key organizations within the military-industrial complex and cemented by a policy of neutrality. Although the Viggen project raised controversy due to its lack of transparency and democratic decision-making, its continuity was secured by substantial investments, and closed politics that gave precedence to technocratic expertise in the decision-making. The debate was further influenced by contemporary shifts in the defence debate, framing the project as a symbol of an air force cut in half.
The promise and peril of deploying artificial intelligence for climate security
No full text“Climate security” or “climate, peace, and security” has become a prominent policy agenda promoting international peace and security. This comment discusses the potential and challenges of deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to safeguard human security from the adverse impacts of climate change and to enhance climate security interventions. Harnessing these benefits is contingent on the integration of AI tools into information environments that support global climate governance. However, AI systems pose risks stemming from data quality and availability, model and algorithmic biases, and transparency. These issues need addressing through strengthened regulations and mitigation measures
Implementing Military Doctrine
No full textThis thesis is about the relationship between written doctrine and the behaviour of armed forces. To the optimist, it might seem obvious that militaries behave in accordance with their doctrine – the authoritative nature of doctrine and obedient character of militaries suggest that what is prescribed in text should also be reflected in how the organisation operates. But to the sceptic, doctrine is doomed to be hopelessly out of touch with the realities of war and is likely to have limited, if any, impact on military behaviour. What is puzzling is that despite these binary and contrasting views there is variation in how doctrine is implemented, but previous research lacks both theory and empirics with which to explain such variation. This thesis is guided by the research problem of what is the relationship between doctrine and military behaviour? This is divided into three research questions: how is doctrine implemented, why does doctrinal implementation vary and what effects does varied implementation have on the utility of doctrine? These questions are addressed through four original essays and my primary contribution is a theoretical framework with three core components. I define doctrinal implementation and provide a typology of outcomes. I develop theory on doctrinal reluctance and four explanations as to why implementation varies. I discuss how varied implementation affects the utility of doctrine and identify a novel utility in the use of doctrine as a tool of debate. Beyond the theoretical framework, I also make an empirical contribution with novel data collected through interviews in the Norwegian and Swedish defence establishments. Taken together, this thesis further unpacks the relationship between doctrine and military behaviour, contributing to our understanding of the strategic functions of doctrine as a force multiplier, means of control and as a component in military transformation. Avhandlingen undersöker förhållandet mellan skrivna doktriner och militär praktik. För optimisten kan det verka självklart att försvarsmakter agerar i enlighet med sin doktrin – doktriners auktoritativa natur och hierarkin i militära organisationer antyder att vad som är skrivet även borde utföras. Men för skeptikern är det mer sannolikt att doktrinen uppfattas som hopplöst frånkopplad från krigets verklighet och har begränsad, om ens någon inverkan. Trots dessa kontrasterande synsätt på doktrin finns det stor variation i hur doktriner har implementerats historiskt, men tidigare forskning saknar både teori och empiri för att förklara denna variation. Den här sammanläggningsavhandlingen är strukturerad utifrån forskningsproblemet vad är förhållandet mellan doktrin och militär praktik? Problemet är indelat i tre forskningsfrågor: hur implementeras doktrin, varför varierar doktrinär implementering och vilka effekter har varierad implementering på doktriners användbarhet? Dessa forskningsfrågor behandlas i fyra vetenskapliga artiklar och mitt huvudsakliga bidrag är ett teoretiskt ramverk med tre huvudkomponenter. För det första definierar jag doktrinimplementering och presenterar en typologi med möjliga utfall. För det andra utvecklar jag teori bestående av fyra förklaringar till varför implementering varierar. För det tredje diskuterar jag hur varierad implementering påverkar doktriners användbarhet och identifierar ett nytt användningsområde för doktriner som verktyg för debatt. Utöver det teoretiska ramverket bidrar jag också empiriskt med nya data insamlad genom intervjuer inom det norska och svenska försvaret. Sammantaget bidrar avhandlingen till en djupare förståelse om förhållandet mellan doktrin och militär praktik och därmed vår kunskap om vilken roll doktrin spelar som en styrkemultiplikator, ett medel för kontroll, samt som komponent i militär förändring.
Världspolisens resignation? Att förstå det Amerikanska motståndet till stödet för Ukraina
No full textThis thesis aims to further and deepen the understanding of the American resistance to the support of Ukraine, a pressing and relevant issue, but to which none of the existing IR-theories has had a natural explanation. The thesis posits that ontological security studies can provide a meaningful addition to the partial understanding that the constructivist field of American identity studies can provide about the issue. The analysis does this by constructing a narrative from the statements of opponents of US support for Ukraine and then analysing this narrative through the lens of Ontological security, applying the concept of anxiety to help explain the mechanism through which narrative and action are co-constituted. The conclusion of the thesis is that introducing the dynamics of ontological security seeking through an application of the concept of anxiety allows for a furthering and deepening of the understanding of the American resistance to the support of Ukraine by illustrating the specific mechanism through which a narrative could be understood as guiding behavior
Effects and efficiencies of sanctions in the 2014 Crimean conflict : Building bridges between the institutions of military history and economy in the context of economic sanctions
No full textEconomic sanctions are a widely discussed area. Several studies, both scientific reports and literature, have been published on the subject, and the topic still comes up for discussion in various debates on how to properly use or implement these to prevent and discourage regimes from actual means of armed conflict. Regardless of the debate, a recurring conclusion is that the sanctions as a whole do not work, or at least not in the design they have. This is either connected to the lack of pressure from those introducing them or, if in the wounds of man's constant search for the easiest way forward, circumventing the imposed sanctions. This thesis again takes on the topic of economic sanctions, this time in a context where the bridge-building between economic and military historical science is also of interest. The discussion will revolve around the sanctions introduced in the wake of the Crimean annexation in 2014 and examine the case from a theoretical basis regarding the "effects vs efficiency" of the sanctions. The thesis aspires to provide a new picture in the discussion, even if it does not strive for groundbreaking new findings; however, this is rooted in a literary analysis of the debate incorporating both the economic research and the study of the military that was historically conducted. Thus, further, it demonstrates the weakness of sanctions and how they can backfire on one's side when they are incorrectly and imprecisely implemented.Dedicated to my late father, Karl-Axel Waplan, who I wish for the most could read this thesis today. He unexpectedly passed on 25 November 2024, just over a month before the completion of this thesis. He was an amazing leader and friend, however, most of all, a father, who always believed and was there regardless of what. Always the greatest supporter and source of inspiration, so much in my upbringing and education, as in giving the best start in life one can wish for. You will be forever loved and forever missed. Tack pappa.</p
What Watson can teach us about war and order : Revisiting The Evolution of International Society
No full textIn this article, Adam Watson’s use of ideal-types is revisited in order to distinguish between various kinds of international orders over time, and address the different types of war which are logically possible in relation to them. The argument is that war differs between ordered and disordered circumstances, as well as among members, or between members and non-members of a given order. The aim is, first, to analytically distinguish between various types of phenomenon which all happen to include organised violence between political entities, and all be called war; and second, to demonstrate the utility of abstracting far enough from actual history to be able to apply analytical categories, a purpose which Watson would recognise. This contributes to freeing theorising about war from its Westphalian and Eurocentric straightjacket
The Securitization of UNRWA and the Role of Moral Support
No full textThe Copenhagen School's securitization theory has been criticized for neglecting the role of the audience (Léonard & Kaunert 2010, pp. 59–61). In response, Thierry Balzacq (2005) reconceptualized the audience into formal and moral support. This thesis adopts his concept of moral support to analyze the securitization of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). On October 28, 2024, Israel banned UNRWA from operating within its territories (BBC 2024), citing national security concerns.Using qualitative content analysis, the thesis examines statements from Israeli politicians and official press releases, alongside responses from the European Union, United Nations, and the United States as providers of moral support. The findings indicate that Israeli politicians securitized UNRWA as an existential threat due to its alleged affiliation with Hamas and perceived risks to national security. Furthermore, the findings reveal that actors providing moral support do not align with the securitization of UNRWA. However, while the EU, UN, and USA publicly support UNRWA and reject its securitization, their actions often do not align with their rhetoric, indicating a form of strategic ambivalence. This suggests that moral support may be more symbolic than decisive. This thesis highlights the increasing politicization of humanitarian organizations like UNRWA and the practical impact of moral support in securitization theory.
Future threat landscapes : The impact on intelligence and security services
No full textThis article examines the evolving nature of antagonistic threats in the context of intelligence and security services, with a focus on small and medium-sized countries. It explores the impact of hybrid threats and non-linear warfare in an increasingly blurred security landscape between war and peace. The study aims to understand the emerging dynamics of the grey zone and the new challenges these evolving threats pose to intelligence and security services. The article adopts a qualitative methodology, drawing on global examples and including the strategic use of hybrid warfare by both state and non-state actors. In addition, the study examines technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to assess their role in shaping modern threats. The article argues that modern antagonistic threats differ from traditional ones in both intensity and complexity. Hybrid threats operate across multiple domains, blending military and non-military tactics while exploiting societal vulnerabilities. The article highlights the growing importance of AI and ML in both offensive and defensive strategies as well as the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements beyond state control. The article concludes that intelligence and security services must adapt to these multi-dimensional threats by embracing flexible integrated strategies. Enhanced international collaboration, advanced technological integration, and a focus on resilience will be the key to countering hybrid threats. The findings underscore the need for intelligence services to operate beyond traditional boundaries to effectively manage the complexities of future security environments
Hur når man framgång på det moderna slagfältet? En strukturerad fokuserad enfallsstudie av kriget i Nagorno-Karabach 2020
No full textIn the current global situation, war is becoming an increasingly significant risk. The risk does not only concern wars between state and non-state irregular actors, but also large-scale wars between the conventional forces of two state actors. Given this, as well as the technological and tactical advancements that have occurred during the 21st century and are still ongoing, it is important to further the understanding of how the new technology and tactics are employed to achieve success on the modern battlefield. To further this understanding the study will analyze the Nagorno-Karabakh War which is a case of war between two state actor’s conventional forces. This study aims to contribute to the overall research and understanding of the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2020. In doing so the study thereby contributes to the overall research on modern warfare. Specifically, this study seeks to enhance the understanding of the outcome of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war by using Stephen Biddle’s theory as a framework to structure and focus the analysis of the war. The result of the study shows a correlation between the outcome of the war and the factors described in Biddle’s modern system theory. The state that to the largest extent, and the way in which the factors in the theory have been employed correlates with the state seen as victor in the war. In the case of the Nagorno-Karabakh war that state is Azerbaijan
Framgång i amfibieräder : En fallstudie om Operation Archery 1941
No full textThis study examines the factors contributing to the successful outcome of the amphibious raid Operation Archery, conducted by British and Norwegian forces against German-occupied Norway in 1941. The research addresses the limited understanding of success factors in amphibious raids, a topic of growing importance due to technological developments that is challenging the relevance of large-scale amphibious operations. The study applies Speller and Tuck’s theory of amphibious warfare to the case in order to make an analysis that aims to examine and explain factors which led to the successful outcome of the operation. The results confirm the relevance of several established success factors for amphibious operations and raids, and more precisely, identifies that detailed planning, specialized training and selection of soldiers, effective preparatory actions such as deception and preliminary bombardment, were critical for success. Furthermore, the findings suggest that isolation of the operational area, particularly through sea control, was less decisive than previously emphasized in existing naval and amphibious warfare theory, raising questions about its overall importance for amphibious raids