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Intelligence in Asymmetric Operation of US ArmyInformational pagesDoc. Ing. Oldřich Horák, CSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2006, Vol. XV. (XLVII.): 81-86 In today's conflicts, such as the Global War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, the threat is more difficult to define; in fact, there are often multiple threats working against our forces concurrently. Our army lacks first-hand information from current battlefields, so that the author must make use of mediated experiences. The paper is therefore based upon articles from foreign military magazines, namely Intelligence Synchronization on a Nonlinear Battlefield (Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin 4/2004) and Intelligence in Peacekeeping Operation (International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence 1/1997). It is not a mere translation or compilation, but ingenious summing up of discussed ideas. In this study, the author thinks over intelligence synchronization and proposes a new way of looking at it. Methodology heads from priority intelligence requirements towards specific information requirements, via indicators, and so on. The purpose of intelligence synchronization is to focus efforts to build, refine, or clarify the commander's understanding of the battlefield and the threat. |
Changes in Military Intelligence: Brigade Level, US Armed ForcesInformational pagesFrantišek KřížVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2006, Vol. XV. (XLVII.): 87-91 Armed Forces by František Kříž. After September 2001, in operations both in Afghanistan and Iraq, great attention is paid to terrorism throughout the war. In fact, new generation of warfare came in existence. War on terrorism is a large-scale low intensity conflict, without classical confrontations between states, without massive bulk of soldiers. For such type of warfare we can't use weapons of mass destruction, or classical types of warfare. At level of US Army brigade there were some changes in structure and scope of forces. Several new formations were established: Heavy Brigade Combat Teams, Infantry Brigade, Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, and Future Combat System Brigade Combat Teams. In operations, brigade S2 section is reinforced by an analysis and integration platoon, MI Company. The idea of augmentations and reorganizations of S2 groups is to elevate potential in the brigade system of Intelligence Battlefield Operating System. Article is based on articles form Military News, Military Intelligence, Global Security, etc. |
Decision Superiority in Operations Other Than War and Military IntelligenceInformational pagesVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2006, Vol. XV. (XLVII.): 100-101 Building up a picture of adversaries in complicated operations other than war (OOTW) requires fresh thinking on the collection and analysis of intelligence material, writes Dr Dave Sloggett in Jane's Defence Weekly No 48/2005. Operations undertaken in present-day theatres include the need to arrest war criminals, defeat insurgency operations and disrupt the activities from those engaged in criminal activities that do not respect national boundaries (trafficking, drugs smuggling and the proliferation of weapons of mass effect). OOTW pose problems for the development of what is now referred to as effects-based operations, where the use of kinetic devices to destroy a target is one way to achieve an outcome. One important element of a solution is to build common definitions of terms that enable a discipline to be brought to the underlying freedom of authors compiling contact reports. Projects such as Dabinett, a multifaceted system of systems programme, can link together information contained in existing systems. Commanders able to exploit this capability, against the complex background in which OOTW are conducted, will truly take superior decisions. |
The Problems of War InformationInformational pagesVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2006, Vol. XV. (XLVII.): 102-105 The essay summarizes several articles published in Vojenské rozhledy dealing with mass media and its activities during armed conflicts or peace-support operations. In fact, more attention to war information is paid by civilian press or books. The author, PhDr. Antonín Rašek (-ar-) cites e.g. English sociologist D. Hallin The 'The Uncensored War', D. Kellner The Persian Gulf TV War, and some books or reportages by Czech journalists and authors, K. Hvižďala, P. Procházková, V. Bělohradský, T. Halík, etc. The Vietnam War was the first televised war and it was largely uncensored. People saw the true horror of war on their television screens night after night, and that caused them to turn against the war. The media seems to be influencing the direction of government policy; the American military always claimed the media caused the war to be lost. But today, namely during the wars in Iraq, the media are blamed to be too subordinated to official policy, they present "a war of choice as a war of necessity". "Abedded" journalists and stringers sell war stories and information, their primary purpose is to make money. An example of the strict control of war information is Chechnya, closed for independent journalists and the only information available is released through official information's agencies, both Russian and opposing Chechen forces. |
Moznosti zpravodajstvi pro mezinarodni bezpecnostMjr. Ing. Libor KutějVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2005, Vol. XIV. (XLVI.): 59-61 |
The Report by Madeleine Albright's Team and Its Wide-ranging Contexts ("Council of Wise Men" and Drawing up the Alliance's New Strategic Concept)ReviewedPhDr. Antonín RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 15-30 This concept has been preparing since the early 2009. In short, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation must be increasingly prepared to intervene far beyond its borders. In the coming decade, NATO will have four central inter-related military missions. The first requirement is to "deter, prevent and defend" against aggression, so as to ensure the political independence and territorial integrity of NATO member states. The report insists on the need to send out military missions beyond the treaty area "when required to prevent an attack on the treaty area or to protect the legal rights and other vital interests of Alliance members". Any expeditionary mission must be based on the principles of the UN charter. Another key item is to cooperate better with those partners, and others worldwide, in order to tackle the new threats posed by cyber attacks, piracy, arms proliferation and energy supply insecurity and climate change. However, in order to achieve the new goals, NATO "must halt the precipitous decline in national defence spending", and to introduce reforms to make spending more efficient. |
Analytical Thinking and Team Leadership in Intelligence AnalysisMilitary artDoc. Ing. Oldřich Horák, CSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 49-54 This paper deals with aspects of intelligence analysis that very often influence the quality of intelligence information utilized by end users. Such analysis requires not only analytical thinking, but also specific experiences of all personnel exploiting collected information. The same body of information may result in multiple analytic products, with different security classifications, time scales, and level of detail. The result of this process is an analytical product - evaluation without any idle speculation and pseudo prophecy. Evaluation and interpretation must describe up-to-date conditions and demonstrate the clusters of future images with alternative developments. Reasonable evaluation reduces uncertainty and makes user's decision easier. At the end the author concentrates on rules of analytical team control and management. |
NATO and Russia at the End of First Decade of 21st Century: Mistrust, Common Interests, Co-operation?Informational pagesPhDr. Miloš Balabán, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 89-99 Relations between NATO and the Russian Federation are one of key factors influencing overall policy of the whole North Atlantic Alliance. They are complicated and sophisticated questions still predisposed by the heritage of the Cold War.But there are mutual fears, common security problems they both have to counter. NATO policy must be established upon present-day reality. It is self-evident that there are common fields of common interests in which mutual balance must be reached. There are among others: armament, preventing arms proliferation, halting proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical agents, antimissiles defence, counter-terrorism, drugs smuggling, open sea security, common peace operations. After two years the Russian-Georgia war started, military cooperation between Russia and NATO was re-established. Separate problem in midterm prospects presents the solving of conflict in Afghanistan. |
Facilities for Battalion Task Force Augmentation with Artillery Pieces, with the Use of Automated System of Artillery Support ControlMilitary professionalProf. ing. Ladislav Potužák, CSc., pplk. Ing. Josef Vondrák, kpt. Ing. Michal Sobarňa, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 132-144 The artillery of the Army of the CR is indispensable part of Czech armed forces. It will take part in operational activities, in the frame of EBAO concept (Effect Based Approach to Operations), acting in contact with various task forces. To meet those objectives, it must reach highest level of modulability. The article depicts all variants of effective augmentation by artillery firepower, artillery reconnaissance, and close artillery support. It enumerates all possible combinations of this reinforcement. Backed by those acquired specifics, the authors further extrapolate demands for automated control system of artillery fire support. |
Connecting Planning and Budgeting Processes in MoD DepartmentInformational pagesPplk. Ing. Jaroslav MoravčíkVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 109-115 The Ministry of Finance Regulation No. 415, 2008, sets the scope and structure of initial documents for midterm plans of state budget. The Regulation was further specified under the Order by Minister of Defence "Planning Activities and Development of Department", No. 22/2004, MoD Bulletin, October 29, 2004, now updated. It prescribes to follow the Financial Chapter of MoD by individual targets. The final objective thus becomes a specific indicator of defence spendings. This arrangement thus becomes a basic document for monitoring, evaluating and implementation of respective remedies. It will be tied with running Planning, Programming and Budgeting process. They both will share a common target database for data necessary for planning financial means. Its implementation should be accompanied by educational and schooling programmes for personnel involved, the author proposes. |
1st Lieutenant (ret.) Česlav Valošek, War Veteran, Member of Czechoslovak Independent Armoured BrigadePersonal dataDr. Petr MajerVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 198-201 He was born in 1925 in Cieszyn Silesia Region of the former Czechoslovakia, where three nationalities lived together: Czechs, Gemans and Poles. His family was forced to adopt the so-called Volksliste No. 3 and therefore in 1944 he had to joint the German army. He became an artillerist and was transferred to France, where he deserted toether with his two friends, also from his native MoravianSilesina Region. After detention in a POWs camp in Scotland he volunteered for the Czechoslovak Independent Armour Brigade. He fought in France, later even in Czech lands. In civil life he graduated as a teacher and started to teach at the school for junior officers, but as a member of western armies was not allowed to teach in military school. But is was possible for him to work in civil schools till 1957, when he was found politically incompetent and began to work as a coal miner. In the period of liberalization in 1968 he returned to school. |
Decision-making and Planning in Defence DepartmentMilitary artPplk. Ing. Radek DubecVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 38-46 The article familiarizes readers with theoretical assumptions of planning and strategical decisionmaking in Defence Department and Czech armed forces. The author finds connections and similarities among others with public sector and civilian structures tied with budget spending. The strategical level of planning is a highly complicated and expert procedure. At present, planning process in defence department, within MoD sector, is specifi ed by the Order of Defence Minister No. 33, 2004. In this document, there are highly elaborated principles and rules of planning of activities and development implemented in defence sector. The article is based upon papers and reports presented at the Defence Sources Course, MIDMC 2001-06, Resources Management Institute, USA, held at the Military Academy Brno in 2001, and documents dealing with managerial problems. |
Theory of Gravity in War on International TerrorismMilitary artIng. Ján SpišákVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 47-64 Official objectives of war on terrorism are as follows: we must face theorist threats, prevent terrorist strikes; suppress the power of terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda. War on terrorism is not a classical or conventional warfare; the term is wide-ranging, covering longterm strategies of national importance. The war on terrorism and employed means are also a source of controversy. It is a question of adequacy of used tools. It is necessary to implement the new strategy of improving conditions in Muslim countries to eliminate their background supporting negative religious and political attitudes towards democracy. Outlined ways of "smoothing edges" in economical, social spheres can noticeably change hateful attitudes of Muslim population towards values of Western democratic society. |
Hydrometeorological Service of the Army of the Czech Republic Celebrates the 90th Anniversary of its EstablishmentHistory pagesIng. Milan Skála, Ing. Eduard VařejkaVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 149-167 The outcomes of battles and fighting are significantly influenced by weather conditions. Together with other important circumstances they decide a chosen combat strategy, operational art, warfare tactics, and ways of personnel and vehicles deployment; consequently the volume of losses or casualties. The authors recount the establishing of weather service within individual arms, creating fi rst weather charts, they give details on situation in pre-war republic, during WWII, in the 50s, even after the Velvet Revolution in 1989. They mention the names of eminent personalities of Czech Hydrometeorological Service to be honoured and remembered. We must also remind that our Hydrometeorological Service works not only in favour of the ACR, but also for other NATO countries. |
Predictive Methodology in Intelligence ServicesReviewedBc. Petr ZelinkaVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 29-39 This article aims at building a bridge upon a gap, which separates academic sphere and intelligence community in the issue of predictive methodology. The author tries to accomplish this objective by presenting intelligence predictive methods based on open-source literature research. First, the question of uncertainty and probability in prediction is introduced (Cynefin template). Then follows basic introduction to predictive methods in civil and military intelligences, so that the reader might grasp the fundamentals of early warning systems. The academics and above all journalists should know the risks and perils in forming intelligence forecasts, estimates, foresight and warning scenarios, e.g. the so-called Black Swan scenario, the author explains potentials failures of the Delphi method. This study ought to be regarded as an introductory to predictive intelligence concurrently done by governmental agencies for purposes of national security and defence. |
War GameMilitary artIng. Jaroslav KulíšekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 60-82 War game is a simulation of military operations intended to train military commanders or to test a proposed strategy. It is a game in which model soldiers are used to create battles, in order to study tactics. This article illustrates the importance of War Game COAs (course of action). It was tested against opposing force COAs. Such exercise will help to identify advantages and disadvantages and the key elements of execution planning for each COA. The lesson learned during OHQ CZE/SVK BG EU Staff Exercises that took place in Olomouc from January 19th, to January 23rd, and from February 16th, to February 20th, 2009 is that war-gaming (although time consuming) is something closer to "reality" than the "theory" in doctrines. The war-gaming practices teamwork, facilitates team-building and enables to share mental model COA. Commanders and their staff ought to be engaged in simulations and war games more frequently. All information and sources for this paper were drawn from unclassified materials. |
The Political Economy of Conflict: A New Direction of Research on Internal Conflicts?Informational pagesMgr. Vladimír Vaďura, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 138-154 The key term in this article is "war economy" It is used to describe the contingencies undertaken by the state to mobilise its economy for war production. Often confused term "resource conflicts" needs explaining. First, there are raw materials, mineral resources (diamonds, precious metals). Another group of resources are critical items, water supplies, and fertile lands. This article concentrates on conflicts provoked by the abundance of natural sources, not by their insufficiency. Their driving motive is "greed-based" model (the effort to take over the control over lands, crude oils). Another model is "grievance-based" model, based upon the feeling of hate, having its roots in e.g. underprivileged position of certain part of population) tied with worsening economy). "War economy" got a new meaning. It moved far away from Clauzewitz's paradigm, the sense of such war is in itself, the war is protracted, it is war for war's sake. |
The Research "Army and Public" (Trend Analysis)Military sociologyMgr. Nataša BallováVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 1/2010, Vol. XIX. (LI.): 206-213 After 1989 public opinion polls have become inseparable part of examining our society. By analysing aggregate response data over time, we can see trajectories into the future. This might help MoD officials in decision-making processes, planning long-term developments. The "Army and Public" poll is concentrated on the attitudes of Czech population to topics such as the prestige of a professional soldier, military profession, NATO membership, confidence in public administration, last but not least, the Czech missions abroad. Positive mindsets appeared namely after 1996-97, when Czech army helped during catastrophic flood. In assessing period 2006-2009 most of respondents agreed with the statement that foreign missions proved the qualities of our army, their approval with our engagement in Afghanistan and Iraq rose significantly (by 33,1 per cent), attitudes against Kosovo were unbalanced. |
Command and Control in EU OperationsMilitary artPplk. Ing. Jaroslav KulíšekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2008, Vol. XVII. (XLIX.): 29-51 This article deals with the EU command and control functions and provides basic information on the structure and capabilities of the EU CCS in Battle Group EU operations. The author describes political and strategical levels CCS (COREPER, GAERC, COPS, CivCom, EUMC, EUMS, BDE HQ, prospective EU FHQ). Only US, EU and E3 (Britain, France, Germany) are capable to realize integrated expeditional operations. The ACR can work only with cooperation with them. The Czech Republic as a small EU member state is actively engaged in the building of the Battle Group EU. The Czech Army is going to increase its expeditionary capabilities as demanded and be prepared for a broader range of conflicts and crises in the vital area of the EU concerns. At present, the ACR is able to carry out a self-supported, integrated expedition operation only on the edge of all its strength. The political leaders must bear this fact in mind, as the army mustn't be overburdened, otherwise it might lose its credibility. All information and data for this paper were drawn from unclassified sources. |
Socialni pruzkum za asymetrickych operaciVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2004, Vol. XIII. (XLV.): 167-168 |
Historie vojenskeho obranneho zpravodajstviVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2004, Vol. XIII. (XLV.): 126-143 |
Some Aspects of the Development of Intelligence Branches inside Strategic Military Intelligence ServiceMilitary artPlk. gšt. Ing. Libor Kutěj, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2007, Vol. XVI. (XLVIII.): 51-58 Military Intelligence plays important part in national defence, indicating particular kinds of potential threats to the Republic or Allied partners. Its effectiveness mainly consists in evaluating the security situation continuously and in exchanging of intelligence information between our services and the Allies, with the aim to detect any potential threats and to eliminate a possibility of surprise in time. According to Act No. 153/1994, concerning the intelligence services, its activities are strictly limited by law. It gains information from open sources (OSINT), by means of signal intelligence (SIGINT), human intelligence (HUMINT), and by using intelligence equipment and tools (IMINT, imagery intelligence). The author proposes to establish central organizational unit, in order to organize, assess, and evaluate individual intelligence branches, their intelligence support to individual target addressees. It should be allowed to reallocate both material and financial sources in form of proposals, reflecting developments of individual intelligence branches. |
Colonel Bohumír Nitsch-NyčPersonal dataPhDr. Zdeněk VališVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2007, Vol. XVI. (XLVIII.): 205-211 Mr. Nitsch-Nyč belongs also among those who were sentenced to jail in the 50s. Nevertheless, as a member of the notorious Military Counterintelligence, headed by ill-famed Gen. Reicin, he belongs among persons who participated in the so-called "unlawfulness", that is to say: provocation, disposal of "unsuitable" officers from the army, in a close cooperation with Soviet intelligence officers. He started his military career in old AustroHungarian monarchy, than he was enlisted as a volunteer in the pre-war Czechoslovak Army. During WWII he was arrested and sentenced to the concentration camp. In May 1945 he became a member of the Communist Party. After that he was appointed as an intelligence officer. He was arrested in 1952, accused and sentenced for deeds he did not commit. He was rehabilitated in the 60s, whereas people that were sentenced in political trials he helped to prepare were still in jails. |
Impacts of Warfare in Urbanized Terrain on Inexperienced Young SoldiersMilitary artDoc. Ing. Dušan Sabolčík, CSc.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 2/2007, Vol. XVI. (XLVIII.): 66-76 New technologies influence not only social advance, but also the development of armed forces. Present-time warfare is resolute, dynamic. In the 21st century, both low and high intensity conflicts, counterterrorist or stabilization operations might take place in urbanized areas, where casualties and material damages are high. New weaponry and technology make demands on military and professional training, self-control, psychic preparedness. In advance we must set rules governing the firing of weapons and use of force namely by soldiers involved in peacekeeping and counter-insurgency situations. Mental stress, emotional, or physical strain or tension of soldiers are manifested by fanaticism, looting, killing non-combatants, desertions or going away from military units without permission (AWOLs), depressed soldiers inflict wound on themselves, they misuse drugs or alcohol. The author cites factors increasing soldiers' resistance: high cohesion of units, tough training, relaxation, courageousness, high awareness of objectives of operations and war aims. |
Reflections over the Transformation of Czech ArmyNonreviewedPhDr. Antonín RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009, Vol. XVIII. (L.): 29-37 The basic question of Army transformation was the fact that it was not constituted upon the statehood principle that gives precedence to politicking individual parties. The ultimate goal of this transformation was to build forces loyal to democratic republic, but during the last ten years the top personnel at the Ministry of Defence changed several times, leaving the Army with restricted means, without precise laid down tasks and goals. Uncontrolled interventions into forces structure, reducing numbers of military personnel, lead to balance on the verge of collapse. The basic goal to develop Czech national security and defence policies did not fell short. Army was transforming itself, initially under the management of former generals and later under civilian control, especially after 1991. The division of the armed forces after the split-up of the state at the turn of 1992 went very smoothly, with good discipline. The transformation has been influenced above all by the newly adopted legislation, accession to NATO and to the European Union, participation in missions abroad and professionalization of the Czech armed forces. The whole process has been facilitated by the acceptance and implementation of a broader concept of security. |
The Czech Dilemma: Integration of National Security System and Transformation of Operational Capabilities of National Professional Security StructuresReviewedPplk. Ing. Bohuslav Pernica, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009, Vol. XVIII. (L.): 50-60 The security environment is permanently changing. A national set of risks has increased after joining the EU and NATO and EU enlargement. The Czech Republic is obligated to integrate national security capabilities into NATO and the EU. To fulfil its responsibility, the Czech Republic ought to use the capabilities-based planning for further transformation of national security sector. This NATO concept ought to be in use not only within the MoD, but also at other ministries tied or responsible for national security. The national security sector must be planed, programmed, budgeted and transformed like a body. The article deals with the problem of unifying security concepts across Czech public administration. The author points out that our operational capabilities are influenced among others by the lack of labour force at the Czech national labour market. |
Life Cycle of ACR Base in Missions AbroadMilitary artMjr. Ing. Eva Zezulová, Ph.D., mjr. Ing. Jiří Štoller, Ph.D., pplk. doc. Ing. Pavel Maňas, Ph.D.Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009, Vol. XVIII. (L.): 107-113 The article is focused on the Czech military bases during mission abroad and introduces new term "Life Cycle of Military Base". Every system has its own successive stages through which it passes; concept that compares the cyclical nature of organizations, systems, is called life cycle. The Reach-Back concept divides lifetime of the military base into seven phases: Assignment (task, goals), Preparation, Proposal (draft), Designing, Building, Running and Cancelling. The definition and description of all phases of the Life Cycle of Military Bases is an important contribution to solving series of problems connected with designing, building, running and cancelling of military bases during mission abroad. Dividing into separate sections contributes to the well-mastered supervision of base, as it indicates factual structures of individual stages of daily routine of the base and thus it lowers the risks of neglecting some activities. |
Military Missions Abroad and Partnership Life (FindingsfromArmySociologicalResearch)Military sociologyMgr. Nataša Ballová, Radomír Saliger, Ph.D., Jiří Hodný, Ph.D., pplk. PhDr. Ing. Jiří PavlátVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009, Vol. XVIII. (L.): 154-167 It is an information study about sociological research completed among Czech servicemen, former members of military missions abroad, under the aegis of the rector of the University of Defence. The research goal consisted in finding causal relationship between missions and breakup rates. Among others it was determined that for breakups were predispositions even before partners went to missions abroad. A total of 3 % stated they wanted to escape from family problems. Partnership after returning home broke up in 15.6 % of questioned veterans. Research should provide cornerstone data for a proposal of concrete measures for reducing divorces and partings. The stratified sample consists of 348 respondents from the ACR who took part at least in one mission abroad and were married, or lived in long-term partnership. Data collection lasted from July to October 2008. |
Contemplations over Obama's Security PolicyReviewedPhDr. Antonín RašekVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2009, Vol. XVIII. (L.): 3-11 It is evident that Barack Obama diverges from Bush's pre-emptive strategy. There are changes in style and contents. Obama begins to direct American policy more towards diplomatic negotiations instead underlining military strength. It is evident namely in proposed negotiations with Iran and in case of Russia, where he wants to overcome cooling down after Russia-Georgia clashes and gas crisis. He insists on avoiding unnecessary conflicts and puts stress on good relations with allies and building new partnerships. He is going to withdraw soldiers from Iraq and in spite of problems in Afghanistan to reduce U.S. military budget. Even though Obama wants to maintain American world's leadership, there are some signs of partial changes in American foreign policy, e.g. his orientation towards Asia suggests first signs of multilateral approach of post-American era. The author also mentions the question of "American radar" in the Czech Republic, the fate of which depends on Iran's nuclear power programme. |
Major General in memoriam Bohumil Borecký. During World War I he was taken prisoner in Russia, where he joined the Czech reserve company in Kiev.Personal dataPhDr. Zdeněk VališVojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 3/2009, Vol. XVIII. (L.): 103-108 As a former Austrian officer he was chosen for recruiting volunteers for the so-called Czech and Slovak Army in Russia. After the WWI he became a member of the newly created Czechoslovak Army. During Nazi occupation of Czech lands, he was arrested for his resistance activities. Fortunately, in prison he suffered from typhoid fever, so he was taken into hospital and therefore he was not executed. When WW II ended, he was falsely accused of leaking important information by military counter-intelligence which was firmly in hands of oncoming communists. After interrogations he was senteced for "active fight against the Bolsheviks" in Russian civil war. The Soviet security authorities deported him together with other condemned persons to Austrinan city Baden and then to the U.S.S.R. At the age of 60 he was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment. In 1954 he died. After the Velver Revolution he was rehablitaded and promoted to the rank of Major General. |

