The Political Warfare of the People’s Republic of China: Effects on maritime security in Ibero-America

By: Andrés González Martín (09/12/2021).

The political warfare sustained by the PRC the competition between the great powers does not manifest itself in the form of behaviours, such as territorial conquest or war, but as the accumulation of political, economic, military and cultural influence and, often, as the subtle application of coercion to obtain geopolitical or geoeconomics advantages. Political warfare is an ongoing process of conquering small advantages below the threshold of the direct use of force, where the grey zone expands. Political warfare seeks to arrive without stridency at a situation of ‘fait accompli’.

Future World: The Threat of Cyberattacks in a Hyperconnected Society

By: Mariano López de Miguel (15/10/2021).

Since the introduction of the World Wide Web in homes at the end of 1995, the Internet has evolved geometrically, leading the world to a state of hyperconnectivity called by renowned futurologists, such as Herman Kahn or Marshall McLuhan, as “The Global Village”. However, these societies are not without risk: From the arrival of information highways to the dangers based on cyberattacks, they have transformed the social, political and defense culture on how to act in the face of these attacks. Since 2016, cyberattacks have multiplied by hundreds, thus demonstrating the fragility of the planet in the face of an enemy that does not necessarily have a physical presence, and that acquires an advantage due to the opportunity offered by anonymity. Undoubtedly, the world is facing a new battlefield within the so-called irregular wars or asymmetric conflicts.

Three missed opportunities in Afghanistan

By: José Luis Calvo Albero (07/109/2021).

The tragic evacuation of Kabul, after 20 years of efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, should open a period of critical reflection. Post-hoc criticism runs the risk of falling into simplistic, and sometimes unfair, analysis, but it is essential to learn from the mistakes made and avoid, as far as possible, repeating them in the future.

South Atlantic: the role and regional security faced with the projection and construction of power by the United States and China

By: María Ana Leal (30/09/2021).

The South Atlantic region is internationally relevant not only because of the large reserves of strategic natural resources that it possesses, but also because of its proximity to Antarctica, the existence of the bi-oceanic canal, current and future demands in the area of ​​transportation and international trade, as well as the access to aerospace projection and cyberspace, among others. These aspects are valued both by the sovereign countries of the region and by international economic and military powers such as the United States and the People’s Republic of China, who have incorporated the South American region into their foreign policy planning, with conflicting interests between these actors.

Crisis in Ukraine and the rise of Russia in the post-Soviet era: a geopolitical look at Moscow

By: Josías Valle (24/06/2021).

This article analyzes the crisis in Ukraine, after the events of 2013 and 2014, which generated changes in Ukrainian politics, particularly due to the projection of Russia in an area that par excellence awakens the rebirth of Moscow. Starting from this scenario, it is shown how the current conflict in Ukraine, generated by a revival of Russia in the post-Soviet era, translates as the ultimate goal of the Kremlin to contain any initiative that Kiev intends to carry out with the European Union and with the United States, Moscow’s main rivals.

New threats to National Security: A pending solution

By: Victor Bautista Valle (03/06/2021).

Organized crime, common crime, illicit arms trafficking, human trafficking, illegal mining, health emergencies, among others, not only disturb the well-being of citizens but also affect the development of a country. In Peru, in addition to these threats, there are others that persist over time, such as terrorism and drug trafficking. In this article, statistical data of some of the threats that affect the security of the Peruvian State is analyzed in order to better understand their dimension and scope, but -mainly- with the purpose that the top decision-makers of the State adopt the necessary actions to deal with them effectively.

Approaches and Challenges of Peru’s National Defense and Security Policy

By: Paul Vera Delzo (26/05/2021).

In 2017, the National Security and Defense Council (COSEDENA) approved the National Security and Defense Policy (PSDN) in order to strengthen the operation of the National Defense System (SIDENA). This policy, still in force, contains three objectives and twenty-nine guidelines, which should guide the activities of all the actors involved in National Security and Defense.

Intervention of the Peruvian State in La Pampa: A pendant integral effort

By: Manolo Eduardo Villagra (18/05/2021).

In Peru, the increase in agricultural activities and illegal mining has increased deforestation in the Amazon region; Among the areas with the greatest impact, “La Pampa” stands out, located in the Madre de Dios Region. This serious situation made the Peruvian State start, in 2019, the implementation of the “Comprehensive Plan Against Illegal Mining in Madre de Dios (La Pampa)”, with the aim of stopping the illegal activities that had been developing and recovering the principle of authority through the execution of multisectoral actions.

The Chancellery and the Hybrid War: The Lavrov Case in the Russian Conflicts of the 21st Century

By: Alberto Castro Villa (05/05/2021).

This article shows and analyzes the important work of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as a core element of the strategy developed by the Kremlin in its conflicts in the 21st century. In this sense, the importance of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the direction and execution of this strategy, whose theoretical basis has been called the “Gerasimov Doctrine”, is highlighted. Likewise, the fundamental concepts, sources and operating procedures of this doctrine are cited, which the West – originally – called Hybrid War. For this, two of the conflicts in which Russia has participated in the course of the 21st century are presented, such as the cyberwar between Russia and Estonia, in 2007, and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, in 2014.

Will there be a “long telegram” from China?

By: José Pardo de Santayana (28/04/2021).

Kennan’s famous “long telegram”, which inspired the containment response to the Soviet Union during the Cold War, is a lesson in how to strategize in the face of geopolitical challenges of great magnitude and complexity. When rereading it, the clairvoyance displayed by the young American diplomat is still amazing.