Defence and strategy

Oldřich VONDRUŠKA

The aim of this study is to comprehend the motivations and interests of the United States in relation to Saudi Arabia in given period through the analysis of available primary and secondary sources. Regarding the level of analysis I have chosen the executive power of the state, which is responsible for realization of foreign policy in the form of president, National security council and Department of defence. The focus of this study is on American military-security approach toward Saudi Arabia because it is the best indicator of quality of mutual relations with regional or global consequences. The chosen period covers Reagan, Bush sr. and Clinton administrations and thus includes several important events, which influenced world´s politics. Despite several setbacks, which both countries underwent during the period the relations stayed stable and Saudi Arabia is still considered one of the closest allies of the United States in the Middle East.

Martin JANKŮ

The article deals with the issue of targeted killings (assassinations) and its exploitation in the "war on terror" and counter-terrorism policy in general. For the purpose of the analysis, targeted killings are viewed in three dimensions and consequences – legal, moral (ethical) and efficiency. Although this tactic and its usage are very controversial, particular analysis from the perspective of these three dimensions might be helpful not only to consider targeted killing as a legitimate instrument to fight terrorism, but simultaneously all specific conditions resulting from these dimensions (most prominently the legal one) have to be satisfied.

Barbora WINTEROVÁ

This paper focuses on the determination of water conflict problem. The ambition was to define and analyse the conflict potential in Central Asia. The paper uses the typology of Peter Gleick which is one of few that are engaged in the problem of water conflicts. There was generally chosen descriptive analysis. The region of Central Asia fulfills almost all of Gleick‘s indicators according to which the conflict cannot be cut out.

Anna ANTCZAK

The article deals with main areas of Spanish national defence policy within the Mediterranean area. This vital element of the Spanish defence policy is strongly connected with close cooperation within NATO and the EU. It discusses three main fora the Mediterranean policy has been being realized, namely the Mediterranean Dialogue, the Barcelona Process and the 5 + 5 Initiative, their basic principles, assumptions and role in the overall Spanish policy towards the Mediterranean region. It concludes with a few remarks stating that Spain wants to be present on as many for a as possible which deal with cooperation with the non-European countries of the Mediterranean region, being aware, on the other hand that only a synergy of efforts in the field especially between NATO and the EU would be a best solution also to omit duplication.

Petr ZELINKA

This analysis aims at prediction of the political development in Afghanistan, especially the future of insurgency in this country and neighbouring Pakistani areas. Premises of this work are threefold: it is necessary to include Pakistan in the analysis of the insurgency, dimension of legitimacy is as important as military dimension when it comes to insurgency and that succesful negotiations with Taliban are currently impossible. At first, we describe geographical and demographical determinants influencing the conflict. After a brief historical excurse we shall continue with analysis of actors taking part in the insurgency. Doing this we should get an insight of the situation, which will be broadened by using Manwaring paradigm, which conceptualizes the main factors which have impact on the phenomenon of insurgency. These factors will be extrapolated – creating the first scenario of possible development, we will then add another two predictive scenarios. Main conclusion of the work is that despite possible increase in numbers of military personnel or even after boosting the legitimacy the insurgency will not fade away as it would require systematical effort in Pakistani neighbouring tribal belt.

Zdeněk KŘÍŽ*, Zinaida SHEVCHUK**

Georgia is one of the countries that have long been seeking NATO membership. The article deals with history of NATO – Georgian relations, analyses the motives of this country for its accession to NATO and finds an answer to the question of whether these motives are similar to the accession motives of Central European, Baltic and Balkan countries. In addition, the article gives account of the way the chances of Georgia for its entry into NATO have been assessed by the Georgian political establishment against the background of the changes on the international political scene that have taken place over the last two years, especially the Russian-Georgian armed conflict in summer 2008 and the coming of Obama’s administration into the White House.