Challenges of NATO aspıratıon: the dıscrepancy between rhetorıc and realıty

The Russo-Georgia war in 2008 and the conflict in Ukraine in 2014 galvanized the countries, which are namely squeezed between NATO and Russia into considering their strategies again. The paper examines Russia’s efforts to maintain its influence in its “near abroad” in the face of NATO’s enlargement. It principally focuses on identifying the challenges particular countries face as obstacles to NATO accession. The arguments raised in the paper prove that, the primary reasons of Russia-Georgia War and Ukraine conflict are associated with these countries’ NATO aspiration. An argument regarding the Alliance’s reluctance to actively engage in partner nations is also presented. The objective of the study is to consider the repercussions of NATO aspiration and introduce the real prospects of cooperation with NATO. The research methods primarily used in the book are comparative analysis and synthesis

The concept of national security in the light of Aristotle’s philosophy of Politics

Purpose: to present the main assumptions of Aristotleʼs Politics through the prism of the category of national security. Also, to reflect on the characteristics of political systems presented by Aristotle as the basis for the search for the essence of the functioning of the state, as well as an attempt to describe the perfect state (politeia). Method: the research was conducted using the following general scientific and special methods: the historical method during the study of the development of the political systems by Aristotle in chronological order; the method of analysis and synthesis related to the functioning of the state by Aristotle, abstract-logical method – for formulating theoretical generalizations and research conclusions. The results of the study: in the history of socio-political thought, Politics should be perceived as an important work that was the first to scientifically deal with the entire spectrum of issues of internal and external politics, tasks faced by rulers and citizens, goals of the state, and factors of its stability and development. Theoretical implications: deepened unique perception of the state, in line with the spirit of antiquity, in which the boundary between politics and ethics is not clearly drawn. It really matters, as seen from the current approaches to the roles the state is able or supposed to play. That’s why it is worth treating the research as a good starting point for analyzing the tasks of the state, including national security. Практична цінність дослідження: the results of the research can be considered, while analyzing the socio-political theory of Aristotle, as a supporter of the democratic system - looking for inspiration and parallel solutions for the political culture of current liberal democratic societies. Papertype: theoretical

The second Karabakh war as a war of new generation

The paper examines the views and ideas of various military experts and researchers on the war, broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan in late September, 2020. The Second Karabakh has been presented as a sample of the new generation warfare. The authors endeavored to substantiate the importance of the Second Karabakh War in the world’s military history by a variety of conclusive facts. Having considered the uniqueness of this war, a number of important lessons have been introduced in order to understand the nature of future wars

Conditions for the sustainability of democracy according to Aristotle

Purpose: to present the national security environment from the perspective of the main assumptions formulated by Aristotle. This was he, who examined 158 constitutions of states, and he also undertook the work of describing the known regimes in detail. He can be considered the first thinker to approach the entire spectrum of political and social issues in a scientific manner. Method: the research was conducted using the following general scientific and special methods: the historical method during the study of the examination of constitutions by Aristotle; the method of analysis and synthesis related to the functioning of the state by Aristotle, abstract-logical method – for formulating theoretical generalizations and research conclusions. The results of the study: are related to Aristotleʼs indications, that a democratic system can be a matrix for other forms of government and of utmost importance is to preserve sustainability. The intention was not to develop or to reject the existing theories, but it was possible to formulate the assumption, that democracy, as we know it, has been a specific system whose durability depends on specific virtues and goods, most often called liberal. Theoretical implications: the practitioners can learn from the paper, that following Aristotle, the virtue of moderation should be incorporated into the cross-section of liberal political values for the benefit of the sustainability of democracy and the citizens who participate in its achievements. In this respect, the relationship between politics and ethics was revealed, which is characteristic of the classically understood philosophy of politics. Practical implications: the findings could serve as the research streams related to deeper analysis of the democratic systems, and the relations with the essence of the democracy of ancient Athens and looking for inspiration and parallel solutions for the political culture of current liberal democratic societies. Papertype: theoretical

The impact of legal nihilism on the Russian Federation security

PURPOSE: This work is devoted to the legal and ethical aspects of the Russian nihilism and those factors that effectively reduce society's motivation to comply with the law. The phenomenon of legal nihilism affects various countries: both developed and those considered backward. A remarkable expansion of legal nihilism is observed on the ground of the modern Russian state.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The first objective of this study was to analyse the peculiarities of Russian legal nihilism, its roots, and the consequences it entails. For it raises the security questions of is legal nihilism dangerous? Can a country gripped by this variety of nihilism threaten its neighbours? How do Russian scholars perceive and evaluate the phenomenon of legal nihilism? The following research procedures were used: 1. Literature review; 2. Collection of qualitative and quantitative data; 3. Qualitative analysis; 4. Formulation of conclusions.FINDINGS: Russian researchers recognize social nihilism as a very serious problem of contemporary Russian society. Aggressive and disregarding the law leads to an increase in crime, deterioration of the moral condition of the nation, and an increase in the popularity of the prison subculture. A particularly dangerous situation arises when representatives of the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, employees of state institutions and high-level officials fall into legal nihilism. When a state becomes a de facto criminal organization, it poses a threat to its own security and to the security of neighbouring countries. According to Russian researchers, the cure for a deep political and social crisis resulting from legal nihilism is a thorough legal education, the fight against corruption and the crystallization of more precise legal regulations.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This paper is devoted to analysing the legal and ethical aspects of the nihilism, as a set of views and attitudes based on a negative or indifferent attitude towards the law. The legal nihilist considers the law to be a superfluous and even harmful institution. Legal nihilism can be regarded as a form of philosophy questioning the role of law in building social well-being.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article presents original scientific research an alternative view of legal nihilism. Legal nihilism developed particularly intensively in Russia. The sources of this phenomenon lie in the Russian mentality, authoritarian and totalitarian forms of government, which are an inseparable element of Russian statehood, the lack of a developed legal culture, or low legal awareness of citizens. In various historical periods, for the average Russian, the observance of traditions and religious precepts was more important than the observance of the law established by the state. After the October Revolution, religion was supplanted by communist ideology. The law was considered a relic, which was to disappear as a result of the progress of civilization.peer-reviewe

Legal and moral aspects οf dealing with the bodies of fallen soldiers in the Russian aggression war against Ukraine

PURPOSE: This work is devoted to the moral and legal aspects of dealing with the bodies of fallen enemy soldiers on the Ukrainian side. During the so-called a special military operation against alleged Ukrainian neo-Nazis, the Russian army suffered very high casualties. After nine months of fighting, this number increased to about 90,000. victims. Such a high number of dead bodies is a challenge for the Ukrainian authorities. As a party that respects international conventions, Ukraine has committed itself to collecting, storing and identifying the bodies of a fallen enemy.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The first objective of this study was to describe and evaluate the detailed legal basis on which the Ukrainian authorities carry out the given procedures. For it raises the question of how the enormous injustices suffered by the Ukrainian people will affect their moral condition? Will their anger and contempt towards the occupier allow them to retain their own humanity? Will the enemy not infect them with their own bestiality and hatred? The following research procedures were used: 1. Literature review; 2. Collection of qualitative and quantitative data; 3. Qualitative analysis; 4. Formulation of conclusions.FINDINGS: Philosophical ideas were also raised, which were the basis for this and no other w the migratory and economic crisis triggered by Russia's military onslaught against Ukraine has proved a test for a number of international human rights and peace-keeping organisations. But the biggest challenge has been thrown at Ukraine. It is not just about the hardships of war or the humanitarian disaster facing Ukrainian society. The problem is much deeper. Here, the undoubted test for the Ukrainian side is the treatment of prisoners of war and the remains of the enemy. So far, Ukraine seems to be winning in this moral field as well.PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: This paper is devoted to analysing the legal and ethical aspects of the treatment of the bodies of fallen soldiers fighting on the side of the Russian Federation of understanding the concept of dignified treatment of human corpses.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article presents original scientific research an alternative view of the personnel losses on the Russian side which proved incomparably higher. Indeed, Putin's regime was not prepared to wage a war on this scale. The Russian Federation was expected to lose around 90,000 soldiers. Additionally, if one considers soldiers who were wounded, were taken prisoner or went missing, Russian war losses would rise to around 200,000. At the same time, such many dead poses an undoubted organisational challenge, as they cannot be abandoned on the battlefield. This brings us to the main thread of our deliberations.peer-reviewe

Use of torture in areas of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation

PURPOSE: This article is devoted to the problem of torture in areas of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation. Official Russian law prohibits the brutal treatment of people - resorting to similar practices is punishable by, among other things, imprisonment. Despite this, Russian law enforcement agencies use torture against detainees in order to obtain information. The full scale of the crimes committed by the Russians (or their allies) in the conquered areas of Ukraine is not yet known. Obtaining more complete data will probably become possible after the liberation of these areas.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The first goal of this study was to analyse the discrepancies between the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the Executive Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation, which prohibits the use of torture, and the practice of Russian criminal law in which law enforcement agencies force a confession. The purpose of this research was to analyse documented cases of cruel treatment of people that took place in Ukraine under Russian occupation.FINDINGS: There have been numerous human rights violations, including torture, in the areas of Ukraine occupied by Russia since 2014. The problem escalated after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops on 24 February 2022. Psychological (humiliation, intimidation), physical (beating, electrocution, starvation) and sexual violence was used against prisoners of war, as well as civilians suspected of collaborating with the Kiev 'regime'. Detainees were held in rooms that did not meet basic sanitary standards. Similar actions had a small systemic character and were part of the policy of mass terror against the inhabitants of the occupied territories who were opponents of Russian aggression.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This paper is devoted to analysing the terror and tortures against Ukrainian civilians became one of the main tools of control used by the Russian armed forces. Cases of ill-treatment and torture were already recorded from very beginning days of the invasion. The scale of these crimes is not only about statistics, but above all about the dramas and tragedies of society. The measure of torture in Russia has been a source of concern for the international courts, even than numbers of crimes is not yet known. The actions of the Russian Federation indicate the lack of accountability of the authorities and the weakness of the justice system.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article presents original scientific research on the use of torture by the armed forces of the Russian Federation against Ukrainian prisoners of war. Torture served various purposes, but it was a tool to maintain the atmosphere of fear and terror. Several dozen cases were investigated, which is a fraction of the total number, since full data will probably be possible after the occupation of all Ukrainian lands occupied by the Putin’s regime.peer-reviewe

Computer adaptive language testing according to NATO STANAG 6001 requirements

The article deals with the innovative, cutting age solution within the language testing realm, namely computer adaptive language testing (CALT) in accordance with the NATO Standardization Agreement 6001 (NATO STANAG 6001) requirements for further implementation in foreign language training of personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AF of Ukraine) in order to increase the quality of foreign language testing. The research provides the CALT method developed according to NATO STANAG 6001 requirements and the CALT algorithm that contains three blocks: “Starting point”, “Item selection algorithm”, “Scoring algorithm” and “Termination criterion”. The CALT algorithm has an adaptive ability, changing a complexity level, sequence and the number of items according to the answers of a test taker. The comparative analysis of the results of the CALT method piloting and the paper-and-pencil testing (PPT) in reading and listening according to the NATO STANAG 6001 requirements justifies the effectiveness of the three-level CALT method. It allows us to determine the following important benefits of CALT: test length reduction, control of measurement accuracy, objective assessment, improved test security, generation of a unique set of items, adaptive ability of the CALT algorithm, high motivation of the test takers, immediate score reporting and test results management. CALT is a qualitative and effective tool to determine test takers’ foreign language proficiency level in accordance with NATO STANAG 6001 requirements within the NATO Defence Educational Enhancement Programme. CALT acquires a special value and relevance in the context of the global COVID 19 pandemic