National Repository of Grey Literature 558 records found  1 - 10nextend  jump to record: Search took 0.00 seconds. 
Non-security of the Czech Army's soldiers on social networks
Kulhánek, Jan ; Ludvík, Jan (advisor) ; Kučera, Tomáš (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to examine the risk of the Czech Army not being properly secure on social networks, the behaviour of its uniformed members and their positive identification of social networking sites. The Russian aggression in the Ukraine and the hacking of Czech medical facilities have once again brought up the importance of cybersecurity and the role that it plays in the modern world, with the human factor being positively identified as the weakest link in security. This case study seeks to define the ideal types of soldier behaviour on social media and to analyse the potential risks that each type poses. To this end, this thesis first presents information necessary to fully understand the vast topic of cybersecurity on social media. Next, it defines several ideal types and their building blocks, in order to categorize the social media accounts of soldiers it later analyses. The author concludes that each defined ideal type has inherently problematic behaviours associated with it and carries with it a level of risk for the Army of the Czech Republic. However, the present user and family member ideal types were found to be the riskiest. Key words OSINT, SOCMINT, NATO, Czech Armed Forces, Cybersecurity, Security, Social media, Ideal type analysis, Social engineering Title The insecurity...
European Union and FRONTEX: A Civil-Security Relations Analysis
Netopil, Petr ; Kučera, Tomáš (advisor) ; Karásek, Tomáš (referee)
This research focuses on the Civil-Security Relations between the EU and its border agency, FRONTEX. Relationships between the state and its border guards vary wildly in space and time in terms of the level of militarization, which is why this thesis set out to define the situation of the EU's first uniformed and armed service. A single case study was used, as FRONTEX as a transnational border agency is a deviant case. This research creates a typology of security services within the state and then places FRONTEX within it. In the discussion that follows, the relationship between the EU and FRONTEX seems to be matched best by the relationship between a state and its gendarmerie, though the police force is also very close. Furthermore, there are exceptions where the agency behaves more like an army or a civilian service. In terms of real-world analogues, it tracks most closely with the relationships between Latvia, Finland, and their respective border guards.
Changes in landscape in the catchment of water-supply reservoirs Švihov and Vír I
Červeňanská, Karolína ; Lipský, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Kučera, Tomáš (referee)
This thesis deals with the analysis of landscape changes using the index of change and the index of development in the catchments area of our two key water reservoirs Švihov and Vír I using CORINE Land Cover and LUCC Czechia data from the time of their building to the present, with a particular focus on the landscape changes in particular protection zones. The theoretical part of the thesis focuses on the reservoirs, the legislative background of water protection and the interaction between water reservoirs, landscape and people. Furthermore, the thesis deals with the concept of landscape and especially with the development of landscape and population in our country from the middle of the 19th century to the present. The importance of the two reservoirs is also described, including their physical-geographic characteristics and the history of the delineation of the protection zones in their catchment areas. In the practical part, the observed time horizons, the selected territorial units and their delimitation within the protection zones are specified in more detail. In the chapter of Results, the observed changes in landscape cover, land use and population are described, both for the entire catchment area and in more detail for the particular protection zones in all the periods studied. The...
Towards a 'more united Union' in security and defence: the case of EMILYO
Schianchi, Eleonora ; McDonagh, Ken (advisor) ; Kučera, Tomáš (referee)
Towards a 'more united Union' in security and defence: The case of EMILYO Abstract The topic of security and defence integration has sparked a great deal of debate among scholars, and the literature has yet to produce a theory that can account for the variety of elements at work. This research project aims to shed some theoretical light on the still unclear process of EU integration in security and defence, arguing that, notwithstanding the importance of material factors, the role of ideas and widely held beliefs cannot be overlooked. To support this claim, the dissertation will use the programme of mobility for Cadets, the European Initiative for the Exchange of Young Officers (EMILYO) as a case study. First, by applying a theoretical framework designed by Meyer and Strickmann (2011) which combines insights from the Realist tradition (specifically Neoclassical Realist insights) and the focus on ideational factors typical of Constructivism, to demonstrate the importance of a coherent synthesis of theories to incorporate both material and ideational factors. Then, starting from the assumption that further integration can be reached only by fostering a European 'sense of belonging' among the citizens, and thus military personnel, the dissertation explores the outcomes of the experience for the Cadets on an...
The Rise of Net-States in the Cyberspace: Cyber Power Dynamics and the Disruption of International Security
Valencia Rojas, Andrea Lissette ; Kučera, Tomáš (advisor) ; Scotto, Thomas (referee)
In this new era, the world is progressively moving towards the 4th Industrial Revolution based on the principle of merging the physical with the digital life. This paradigm shift towards greater inclusion of technological innovations and services has incited to reconsider how international security is perceived - particularly within the new cyber domain. In contrast to the physical world, the cyberspace has no borders and invites a more globalised approach, offering abundant opportunities of political, economic and social consequences. Thus, the digital domain highlights new security challenges that may have strategic impact on the real world. The present dissertation was undertaken to investigate the novel phenomenon designated as Net state and evaluate its power and impact in the international security landscape. Adopting a neorealism theoretical framework, predominant paradigm in IR, it also attempted to determine how the integration of a cyber reality into the international politics can alter traditional conceptions of security. Findings suggests that Net states have theoretical implications to be considered as a unit of level under the same conceptual standards as traditional states, and predicts that the cyber-physical revolution has the possibility to exacerbate interactions between states...
Grey geopolitics: Morocco and the strategic use of hybrid warfare in Spanish territories in North Africa.
Valdivia Cuenca, Alicia Maria ; Paterson, Ian (advisor) ; Kučera, Tomáš (referee)
This dissertation examines Morocco's strategic use of Hybrid Warfare against the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa. By focusing on the roots of the conflict and the tools employed, the study aims to understand why and how Hybrid Warfare is the chosen approach and its implications. This analysis contributes to a broader understanding of Hybrid Warfare beyond traditional cases, emphasising its relevance in contemporary international relations. In this sense, the intention is to highlight an actor aiming to achieve traditional strategic goals through non-traditional methods. Furthermore, it aims to prove the utility of Hybrid Warfare as an analytical concept using pre- existing Hybrid Warfare frameworks. Three additional tools will be used to add complexity and depth to the analysis: coercive migration, economic coercion and diplomatic coercion. The goal is to frame events like the 2021 Crisis Migration in Ceuta or the change in the Spanish foreign policy position towards Western Sahara in 2022 within the Moroccan Hybrid Warfare strategy. Keywords: Hybrid Warfare, Morocco, Hybrid Threats, Spanish Territories in North Africa, Grey Zone, Coercive Migration, Economic Coercion, Diplomatic Coercion.
Analysing the Evolution of Principal-Agent Contracts on FRONTEX: A Study on Contractual Arrangements, Control Mechanisms and Policy Objectives
Fackeldey, Carolin ; Leonard, Sarah (advisor) ; Kučera, Tomáš (referee)
The European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union, also known as FRONTEX, was established in 2004. The agency underwent several reforms, resulting in FRONTEX becoming the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. When understanding FRONTEX as an agent to principals, its development must be understood as the result of the development of the principal agent relation. This thesis analyses the development of the principal agent contract on FRONTEX with regard to the mandate of the agency and the control mechanisms installed. The thesis evaluates the proportionality of the relation between FRONTEX's mandate and its control mechanisms over time. This was done by conducting a single case study, analysing each amendment of the principal agent contract as a unit of analysis. Official European regulations constituted the data for this analysis. The units of analysis were contextualised by incorporating publications of debates or statements of relevant actors and scholars. The analysis showed that FRONTEX's development is characterised by a continuous expansion of both its mandate and control mechanisms. A correlation between both factors was assessed. Proportionality between the two factors was mostly given, with the exception...
Unveiling the Threat: the Cognitive Mechanisms Behind Disinformation's Influence on Democratic Systems
Mondini, Fiammetta ; Kučera, Tomáš (advisor) ; Rossini, Patrícia (referee)
Disinformation and cognitive warfare are very current threats to national security. These menaces, by exploiting the mental processes through which an individual processes information and internalises narratives, may creep into government structures and undermine their foundations. This dissertation questions the ways in which this exploitation might operate, to unravel its hidden gears, and understand to what extent this vulnerability may endanger the social structure. Using a mixed methodology, that combines a quantitative, qualitative, and theoretical approach, it appears that there is an important correlation between trust in institutions and an individual's level of education. It is therefore believed that a sound education - accompanied by a strengthening of media literacy - is an important tool to reinforce cognitive resilience and be less vulnerable to disinformation and political distrust. Raising awareness on these issues, and uniting the psychological with the security field, as NATO (2023) has been doing in recent months, is necessary so that even national structures can understand the potential and vulnerability of the cognitive world and the urgent need to defend it.
Presenting EU Strategic Autonomy as Global Actorness? The Role of Eurobarometer Surveys in Framing Foreign Policy for Public Perception
Rioux, Maya Sinclaire ; Kaunert, Christian (advisor) ; Kučera, Tomáš (referee)
On the rising tides of public opinion, wars have been fought; elections were won; and strategy was changed. Communicating policy initiatives are crucial to the flow of natural governance discourse between the European public sphere and a ruling body like the European Union. This dissertation showcases an exploratory study into whether or not a rather ambiguous foreign policy concept like strategic autonomy is presented for public perception through communications messaging efforts by the European Union through its polling and publication of the Eurobarometer Standard Survey Series. In consideration of broader information messaging of policy initiatives by an organization that rests at the nexus of a global power, multilateral body, economic leader, and security and defence provider fresh perspectives contributing to the academic body of thought on the European Union and its interactions with its citizen public are crucial and often understudied. This paper aims presents a mixed methods, quantitative content and qualitative framing analysis of the Eurobarometer Standard Survey series public opinion polling mechanisms between 2013-2023. The examined research investigates whether and how intentional frames in questions and responses serve to present inherently ambiguous foreign policy expressions like...
Golden Opportunities: A case study of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces' gold supply chain and its place within the global economy
Imming, Suzanne ; Kučera, Tomáš (advisor) ; Bonatti, Luigi (referee)
A significant amount of economic activity around the world takes place in the illicit global economy or the shadow economy, where money and trade flows are hidden from authorities and violent non-state actors operate to make money or obtain necessities for violent combat. through the laundering of goods and capital, licit economic activities might indirectly support or enable violent activities elsewhere. While prior research has theorised on the topic of illicit globalisation and some have analysed elements of the illicit economy, there is still a need to take a security perspective in analysing how violent actors make use of the global illicit economy and the role globalisation has played in that process. This dissertation explores the interactions between illicit and licit markets and shines a light on how a violent non-state actor capitalises on economic opportunities provided by the economic globalisation of illicit markets. It not only studies the enabling role of illicit globalisation but also paints a picture of a complete illicit supply chain. An instrumental case study has been conducted into an illicit gold supply chain which starts with gold sourcing under the control of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces and moves into the licit global gold market via Dubai, a central gold trading hub,...

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66 KUČERA, Tomáš
66 Kučera, Tomáš
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