Voenen Zhurnal 1s-2024

CONTENTS

NATO’S POLICY IN THE BLACK SEA REGION AFTER 2014

Dr. Atanaska Popova
Rakovski National Defence College (Bulgaria)

Abstract:. The results of research conducted on the policy and measures that NATO is undertaking in the Black Sea region after 2014 are presented. The attitudes of the respondents regarding the possible involvement of the Alliance in military operations were determined. A comparative analysis was performed with the data obtained from a study conducted in 2018.

Keywords: NATO; Black sea region; conflict

THE BULGARIAN PEOPLE’S ARMY IN THE NATO ESTIMATES OF THE SOVIET BLOC, 1950 – 1953

Dr. Boyan Zhekov, Assist. Prof.
Rakovski National Defence College (Bulgaria)

Abstract: In the period 1950 – 1953, NATO member countries and the People’s Republic of Bulgaria (NRB) were on the opposite sides of the Iron Curtain. As a result, the Bulgarian Armed Forces found a place in the Alliance’s estimates of the military potential of the Soviet bloc. Expectedly, the Bulgarian army was rarely an independent object of analysis in the NATO documents.

More often the Bulgarian armed forces were considered within the framework of the overall findings regarding the military capabilities of the USSR’s satellites. Of course, it is not enough just to describe what information about the armed forces of NRB can be found in the materials of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from the beginning of the 1950s. It is far more important to compare the estimates with other data concerning the Bulgarian army at that time.

Keywords: Bulgarian People’s Army; NATO; Soviet bloc

NATIONAL INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ENSURING NATIONAL SECURITY

Assoc. Prof. Dr.Vugar Mammadzada, Lieutenant colonel Eljan Ramiz
Military Scientific Research Institute – National Defense University (Azerbaijan)

Abstract: In the article, the essence and content of national interests are revealed, its classification is presented, and information is given about the factors influencing the formation of national interests. At the same time, an analysis of the category of national interests, the influence of national values on its understanding, and concepts such as public and national interests were considered. It analyzes the genesis of Azerbaijan’s national interests, the stages of its development, the effectiveness of the country’s leadership’s policy in the sphere of its protection. Along with that, the reasons and consequences of incorrect identification of the national interests of Armenia are shown.

Keywords: national interests; asymmetry of interests; ensuring national security; nation state; national values

POWER SYSTEM SECURITY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN ENERGY TRANSITION

Eng. Georgi Samandov
University of National and World Economy (Bulgaria)

Abstract: The report presents the results of a study of the forecast development of the electricity system (EES) of the Republic of Bulgaria and proposes measures to ensure its safe functioning. Scenarios with extreme maximum and minimum load of generating capacities are considered. The political commitments to the European Union concerning the „Green Deal“, the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability, the transition to a low-carbon

economy and the transformation of the energy sector have been taken into account.

Keywords: transition to a low-carbon economy; “Green Deal”; security of the electricity system; NRRP; transformation

EDUCATING MILITARY LEADERS ON FUTURE CHALLENGES

Major Dr. Gabriela-Florina Nicoară
National University of Defence „Carol I” (Romania)
Colonel Dr. Daniel Roman
National University of Defence „Carol I” (Romania)

Abstract: Each member state of North Atlantic Alliance is responsible for the quality of its human capital. Furthermore, by assuming membership status in the Alliance, it becomes accountable for the level of professionalism that it provides. Recruiting and selecting military leaders who operate professionally within NATO is one of the most relevant aspects in the contemporary security context. The pandemic context, military conflicts, and the instability of diplomatic relationships between states are some of the real-world problems that are challenging not only Military Forces but also for military higher education institutions. These institutions are addressed to equip graduates with previously unsolicited competences. The graduates must represent not only the officers of the Alliance but also the future leaders who will perform in a complex operational environment. By focusing on the characteristics of the contemporary security environment and identifying traits that are emerging in the future, this article aims to frame meta-competences supporting curricula to shape military future leaders.

Keywords: NATO; leaders; meta-competences; higher education; security environment

FOREIGN MILITARY SALES AND DIRECT COMMERCIAL SALES AS ALTERNATIVES AND POSSIBILITIES TO BE COMBINED
IN DEFENCE ACQUISITION

Prof. Desislava Yosifova, DSc.
Todor Kableshkov University of Transport (Bulgaria)

Abstract: In this paper, attention is focused on the need to conduct a comprehensive comparative overview, and on that basis a comparison of the procurement of defence products/services from the US through the two main approaches perceived as alternatives (under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and the traditional manner using Direct Commercial Sales (DCS).

Regarding acquisition under the FMS programme, its rules of functioning and administration have a deep impact on the management, spending, execution and budget reporting for both types of customers: at the level of customer countries and at the level of customer international organisations (e.g. relevant NATO entities performing such procurement). This is insofar as the rules imposing large periodic advance payments drive ‘inconsistencies’ throughout the process (up to the point of effective actual delivery of the assets from the US), in the direction of modifying the fundamental accrual principle into a modified cash basis.

A major striving in this paper is to provide a structured view with appropriately selected criteria by which countries and international organizations that are potential commercial customers of the U.S. military industry can navigate in making a choice between the two alternatives for acquiring defence products/ services.

Keywords: FMS program; direct commercial sales; DCS; acquisition; combined approach

RELEVANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CENTER OF GRAVITY CONCEPT IN MODERN PLANNING AND CONDUCT OF NATO OPERATIONS

Dimo Savov
Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy (Bulgaria)

Abstract: This scientific article aims to prove the effectiveness of the Center of Gravity (COG) concept within the framework of the modern NATO planning and conduct of operations, along with the need for its flexible application in the context of the nature of modern armed conflicts and the lessons learned from the history of modern armed conflicts. To achieve the objectives of the study, first of all, the definition and the essence of the concept will be considered. Subsequently, the issues surrounding the practical application of the Center of Gravity concept in a modern operational environment by military commands of NATO member states will be presented, proving the relative effectiveness of a specific methodology for determining the CT. To achieve the goals of the report, the Falklands War of 1982 will be examined through the prism of the concept and the chosen methodology. The credibility and quality of the analysis were achieved by the use of various and authoritative official sources, such as: books of a scientific nature, military doctrines, manuals and scientific reports related to the subject.

Keywords: center of gravity; planning; operations; Falklands war; NATO

TRAINING OF TARGETING SPECIALISTS – NONSENSE
OR MISSION MANDATORY

Lieutenant colonel (OF-4) Dr. Radoslav Chalakov,
Assist. Prof.

Rakovski National Defence College (Bulgaria)

Abstract: Joint targeting is the result of the need to translate the joint force commander’s (JFC) plan into tactical actions. Joint targeting involves the process of selecting and prioritizing targets (classified in NATO as Facility, Individual, Virtual Entity, Equipment, or Organization (FIVE-O), and determining the appropriate means to influence them, taking into account operational requirements and available capabilities, to produce desired effects consistent with the objectives of the operation. It links tactical actions to the strategic desired end state through operational objectives by influencing prioritized impact objectives (IA).
Its practical application began in the early twentieth century, World Wars I and II, (Japanese Theater), continued with the Korean Conflict between North Korea and the United States, through the Vietnam War, was used during Operation Desert Storm, the Kosovo Conflict, the Iraq War, and continues to be applied in modern warfare.
It is hypothesized in this article that in the second decade of the twenty-first century, the first option in the title, „nonsense,“ is a thing of the past, while the second, „mission imperative,“ is valid and imperative.
Keywords: targeting; effect; specialists; training

ACQUISITION OF A NEW CAPABILITY BY THE ARMED FORCES COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM AS PART OF THE NATO FEDERATED MISSION NETWORK ENVIRONMENT

Colonel Dr. Ivan Chakarov, Assoc. Prof.
Rakovski National Defence College (Bulgaria)

Abstract: The text presents an overview of trends and transformations in NATO’s communication and information systems and reveals the need for acquiring new capabilities of the command and control system of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria, as part of NATO’s federated networks. Determined are the directions for the development and modernization of the communication and information systems of the armed forces at national level – in the context of a comprehensive reengineering of the network communication and information infrastructure.

Keywords: federated mission network environment; interoperability; capability; NATO.

INFLUENCE OF THE CONCEPT OF EURASIANISM ON THE EVOLUTION OF TURKISH GEOPOLITICAL IDEAS

Lieutenant Colonel Mihail Peev, PhD Student
Rakovski National Defence College (Bulgaria)

Abstract: The report analyzes the main factors for the emergence and development of the concept of Eurasianism in the geopolitical space and ideological discourse of Turkey. For this purpose, publications reflecting the views of representatives of the Turkish political, academic and intellectual circles, in relation to Russia and the Turkic republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus, but also in relation to maritime policy and neighboring Greece and Cyprus, were analyzed. The main argument of the article in this regard is that the concepts of Eurasianism and Neo-Eurasianism have an impact on the formation of Turkey‘s geopolitical doctrines, as well as that to a certain extent they evolve and find development in Kemalist Eurasianism, Pan-Turkism and Neo-Ottomanism, the idea of the so-called Turkic World and the doctrines of “Strategic Depth” and “Blue Homeland”.

Keywords: geopolitical concepts; Eurasianism; Neo- Eurasianism; Kemalist Eurasianism; nationalist Islamism; Pan-Turkism; Turkish World/Turkish World; Turkish Eurasia; Great Turan; new Ottoman Empire; Eurasian Heartland; Neo-Ottomanism; Erdogan‘s Kemalism; civilizational geopolitics; doctrine of Strategic depth; “Blue Homeland” doctrine

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY AND POLEMOLOGY – RELATIONSHIPS IN THE THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Dr. Radoslav Bonev, Assoc. Prof.
Rakovski National Defence College (Bulgaria)

Abstract: Fundamental historical-geographical and political-geographical categories and concepts with methodological interrelationships in the description of polemology are presented. Through a propositional-logical connection in historical geography and polemology, the modern significance of the nation-state in the theory of international security is examined.

Keywords: historical geography; political geography; polemology; theory of international security

GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS

The purpose of these Guidelines is to ensure the highest possible visibility of published texts in scientific databases.

The guidelines have been developed in accordance with the current BDS ISO 690:2021 standard – Guidelines for bibliographic references and citations to information resources.

Voenen Zhurnal scientific journal only considers manuscripts that have not been published, or submitted for publication, in another journal. A submitted manuscript that does not fit the journal’s subject matter, or is not formatted according to the Guidelines, will be rejected without going through the anonymous review process.

The manuscript should contain original ideas and scientific results. Detailed presentation of theoretical statements, concepts or definitions freely available from other sources is discouraged. The journal reserves the right not to publish a manuscript found to have high similarity rate.

The manuscript should cite only references used in the text. Self-citations, as well as citation of sources not used in the text, do not contribute to the scientific impact of the manuscript.

A standard word processing program should be used to format the manuscript. Appendices in the form of graphs, tables, or illustrations must be readable and processable with programs commonly used for such purposes.

Preferably, manuscripts should be sent electronically as an attachment to the accompanying e-mail – to the e-mail address: zhurnal@rndc.bg. In the same email, the author should explicitly declare that the manuscript has not already been published or submitted for publication in another journal and that the text does not contain classified information.

Decision on publication will be taken based on the reviewers’ opinion. Editors may edit manuscripts when necessary.

Manuscript should be deemed accepted for publication when the author receives a letter of confirmation. If a confirmation letter is not received within six months within the submission, the author has the right to withdraw the manuscript in written form. The Journal does not make an explicit commitment to inform an author whose manuscript is considered rejected.

Manuscript preparation

General guidelines

  • Manuscripts may be submitted in Bulgarian or in English depending on the author’s opinion or on the reviewers recommendation. Manuscripts in other languages could be published at the discretion of the editors.
  • It is not recommended to specifically format the text itself with regard to tabs, bullets and other similar symbols. Tabs should be used for table layout only.
  • Recommended manuscript length: 40,000 characters (including spaces) – for a research article, and 20,000 characters – for a review. There are no formatting requirements in terms of font type and size.
  • Manuscripts should be compiled in the following order:
    • title of the paper (without any abbreviations);
    • names of the authors with their scientific degree, academic position and institution;
    • abstract, that indicates the research goal and methodology, and outlines the research novelty and results. The abstract should correspond to the title, keywords and main text of the study. Recommended abstract volume: 100 – 150 words;
    • 3 – 6 keywords, related to the topic, divided by each other with ; ;
    • full text;
    • acknowledgements (if any) – this is the place to thank other supporters, or to indicate funding for a survey which results lay in the manuscript;
    • appendixes (as appropriate);
    • notes;
    • references;
    • full business card of the author(s) – academic position, affiliation, personal ID in scientific databases, name of faculty and/or institution, postal address, e-mail address;
  • Figures (illustrations) and their captions, in addition to placing in the main text, should be separately provided in a supplementary file. Where the size of the figures is large and it is not possible to include them in the main text, their place is indicated by remarks (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc.).
  • Tables should be used for presenting numerical data and dependencies. Plain text tables are not encouraged, as they cause difficulties in reading and understanding the text. Tables and their captions – in addition to placing in the main text – should be separately provided in a supplementary file.

Notes

  • Notes are grouped as a separate paragraph after the main text. Their place in the main text is indicated as an upper index as endnotes. The Notes section also consists additional explanations or information, deemed as a burden to the main text.

References

  • The References list should contain only sources that are available in long term for checking or referring. All other (marginal) sources, should be listed in the ‘Notes’ section.
  • The references list should consist sources in Latin script. If there are sources in Cyrillic script, they should be presented in Latin script – preferably by transliteration, followed by indication for the original language [in square brackets].
  • Sources are being arranged in ascending order by last and by first author name, followed by the year of publication. In case of multiple sources with the same author and year, the year is followed by lower case letters (a, b, c…).
  • The references are being presented in accordance with the BDS ISO 690: 2021 standard (by name and year – Harvard system). The examples below show how this should be done.

Journal article

Consecutively are being listed author name, year of publication, article title, journal name (in italics), annual volume, issue number, page numbers (separated by a long dash).

REFERENCES

GRIGOROV, M., 2021. Antiteroristichni operatsii – ponyatie i spetsifiki pri provezhdaneto im. Voenen zhurnal, vol. 128, no 1, pp. 77 – 86. ISSN 0861-7392 [in Bulgarian].

Such a source is being indicated in the body text as (Grigorov 2021). If necessary to indicate specific page (e.g. p. 80), the indication is as follows: (Grigorov 2021, p. 80).

If an article in an online periodical is cited, after the journal name (in italics), the source of the text (accessible web address or DOI number) should also be placed at the end of the cited source.

LOMAZZI, L.; CADINI, F.; GIGLIO, M. & MANES, A., 2022. Vulnerability

assessment to projectiles: Approach definition and application to helicopter platforms.

Defence Technology, vol. 18, no 9, pp. 1523 – 1537. Available on: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.

dt.2021.09.001. [last viewed: 29 October 2022].

Such a source is indicated in the body text as (Lomazzi, Cadini, Giglio & Manes 2022), or as (Lomazzi et al. 2022).

Books

The book title is given in italics. Mentions also are the city and the publisher of the book.

REFERENCES

NEDYALKOV, D., 2022. 130 godini balgari v nebeto. Kratka istoria na balgarskata voenna aviatsia. Sofia: Prozorets. ISBN 9786192432300. [in Bulgarian].

Such a source is indicated in the body text as (Nedyalkov 2022). If necessary to indicate specific page (e.g. pp. 18 – 19), the indication is as follows: (Nedyalkov 2022, pp. 18 – 19).

Edited books

Only the title of the cited book / collection is given in italics, after the title is indicated the page range of the quoted text.

REFERENCES

YORDANOV, P., 2022. Izsledvane na riskovete za kibersigurnostta vav vaorazhenite sili na Bulgaria. In: Savremenni aspekti na sigurnostta –predizvikatelstva, podhodi, reshenia, pp. 357 – 366. Sofia: Izdatelstvo G.S. Rakovski. [in Bulgarian].

Conclusion

  • By submitting a text and/or illustrations for evaluation and possible publication, the author agrees to grant the rights for publication to Voenen Zhurnal for a period, in accordance with the Authorship Rights Bulgarian law. Published text should not be freely distributed, including through academic and social networks for sharing research results (e.g. ResearchGate.net and Academia.edu).
  • In academic and social networks for sharing research results, the author only shares the manuscript in the originally submitted for consideration version. If the manuscript is being published, after the publication the author adds to the shared original manuscript the name, volume and issue of the journal in which the text was published.
  • Publication of a manuscript does not necessarily imply editorial agreement with the views advocated by the authors.