Defence and strategy

Vilém KOLÍN

Since early 1990s the society of states had resorted to the application of armed force in a number of occasions to stop systematic, flagrant and widespread violations of human rights and humanitarian law in what was colloquially called "humanitarian intervention." Despite the fact that some military interventions succeeded, humanitarian intervention provokes controversy. Skepticism is always about the question of whether it is legitimate to use armed force in such circumstances. Drawing upon Thomas Aquinas’s doctrine of just war, the article addresses the question of when humanitarian intervention is justified. The inquiry begins with the description of the meaning of humanitarian intervention. The notion of "legalist paradigm," along with the significance of the United Nations Charter, is examined afterwards. An account of the changing nature of conflict and the idea of "military humanitarianism" follows and, at the same time, precedes a section devoted to the analysis of Aquinas’s doctrine of just war. The article concludes with the scrutiny of the legitimacy of humanitarian intervention in the context of Aquinas’s moral theory of war, its present understanding and relevant political, legal and moral circumstances.

Petr SUCHÝ

The text focuses on the changes of Russian and American strategic nuclear arsenals after the end of the Cold War. Current state of Russian strategic forces is subsequently confronted with the present and future capability of U. S. ballistic missile defense system. The text aims to point out that worries of Russian ofcials that the system presents clear danger for Russia and its existence will lead to the weakening or demise of strategic stability are completely false and unfounded. It also makes the point that current modernization of the Russian strategic nuclear weapons and their carriers is more a sign of attempts to preserve the status quo within the arms dynamic, rather than a clear symptom of a direct reaction to American activities in the realm of missile defense that would resemble a process of arms race.

Gunther HAUSER

The primary aim of this contribution is to define and to discuss Austria’s role in European security. Security policy in Austria today continues along the lines of pragmatic neutrality by participating in EU Petersberg and NATO Partnership for Peace tasks. Although Austria works closely with NATO member states within NATO PfP and EU, NATO membership did not enjoy high popularity in Austria. According to various polls more than two thirds of Austrians still favor neutrality. However, Austria is quite engaged in UN, EU and NATO peace support operations. As a member of EU, Austria has pivotal interests in integrating Central, Eastern and Southeastern European states into Euro-Atlantic security structures.

Pavel FOLTIN*, David ŘEHÁK**

The article deals with international counter-terrorism cooperation of the most signicant organizations. Description of each organization is divided into two parts. The rst part deals with basic historical development and characteristics of organizations, the second one provides survey of their activities in ght against terrorism. Individual counter-terrorist elements of organizations (e.g. committees and working groups) and adopted conventions are presented in the survey. The main focus is laid on the analysis of booming international cooperation after September the 11th, 2001.

Josef JANOŠEC

Post-war stabilization is always realized with military actors. The article contains the presentation of Iraq as an environment of strategic goals for stabilization from geographical, demographic, political and military points of view and the respective characteristics. It points out the special aspects of the post-war stabilization process. It provides analysis of military actors in Iraq and specifies strategic goals for the stabilization in Iraq.

Lukáš VISINGR

The article provides basic information about nowadays Private Military Corporations (PMCs), presents some of their typologies and focuses on PMCs that provide aviation services. These cover wide range from logistic support and maintenance through training and consultations to direct battlefield engagement. The text also analyzes the main advantages and disadvantages resulting from contracting these firms for states and international community.