The Shivapuri Journal

Editorial Vol.25

2024-03-02T14:29:55+00:00

No abstract available.

Why Nepal Needs Strong Defense and Security Institutions?

2024-03-02T14:35:47+00:00

There are multiple threats to Nepal's National Interests. A country with strong political, diplomatic, economic, military, and informational foundations will have multiple policy options, but Nepal does not have that luxury at present. Therefore, Nepal must maintain a strong and professional Nepali Army and other national security institutions to effectively deter and counter possible threats to its National Interests.

Empowering Individuals Through Community Engagement in National Security: Shaping A Safer Future

2024-03-02T14:40:18+00:00

This article explores into the pivotal role of community engagement in augmenting national security by empowering individuals to actively participate in safeguarding their communities. By examining the symbiotic relationship between citizens and security agencies, it elucidates how grassroots initiatives and collaborative efforts contribute to enhancing the overall security landscape. Drawing from diverse examples worldwide, ranging from neighborhood watch programs to digital citizen reporting platforms, this article showcases instances where proactive community involvement has led to significant advancements in preventing security threats. Through a comprehensive analysis, it underscores the transformative potential of community engagement, not only in mitigating risks but also in furthering resilience and inclusivity within societies. Ultimately, this exploration underscores the imperative of cultivating a culture of shared responsibility and collective action in safeguarding national security, thereby paving the way for a safer and more secure future.

Strategic Orientation on National Security: Nepal's Path to Prosperity and Sustainability

2024-03-02T14:44:24+00:00

This article provides a distinct examination of Nepal's strategic orientation on national security, intricately dissecting the dynamic interplay between security imperatives, economic prosperity, and sustainability. It will discuss the economic foundations, scrutinize trade policies, investment strategies, and economic development plans, and unravel their role in fostering fiscal resilience and shaping the nation's capacity to navigate external challenges. The environmental factor emerges as a strategic imperative, recognizing the inseparable link between a secure environment and long-term national well-being. The socio-economic dynamics explored in-depth will reveal policies contributing to citizens' well-being and recognizing the population as a strategic asset. The integration of technological innovations is identified as a dynamic force shaping Nepal's national security approach and positioning the nation within the global economic setting. The role of public awareness and informed citizenship is also highlighted in shaping the nation's path. This article unfolds as a comprehensive description that unstitches the layers of complexity defining Nepal's unique path toward a secure, prosperous, and sustainable future.

Legitimacy in Internal Conflict: Insurgency and Counterinsurgency

2024-03-02T14:49:13+00:00

Max Weber's (the Weberian) concept of legitimacy is the most applied form of legitimacy but lacks the concept to address the contemporary complex issues that are prevalent in today's unconventional conflicts. Legitimacy is neither state-centric nor top-down alone. It is dynamic and may shift from one group to the other in the contested security environment and, take the bottom-up approach. The 'Western' Counterinsurgency undermines the power of the insurgents who would build their legitimacy to advance their cause. This is mainly because the 'Western' view of state formation dominates discussions on legitimacy. Insurgents and counterinsurgents both compete for legitimacy at the local level, to win over the belief and trust of the people that primarily give the legitimacy the shape of bottom-up.

Critical Analysis of the Nepali Army’s Counter Insurgency Campaign Against Maoist Insurgency in Nepal

2024-03-02T14:53:14+00:00

Nepal witnessed an insurgency within its territory for a decade from 1996 to 2006. Nepali army, the national armed force, along with other security forces, conducted the counter-insurgency campaign within the broader campaign of the Nepalese government. This paper examines the growth of Maoist insurgency in Nepal, the government's initial response, and finally the army's campaign against the insurgents. Using the information presented in academic and government literature as well as the experience gained by the researcher himself, it concludes that the army was successful in tactical battles against the Maoists but could not gain complete victory at the strategic level. The paper also examines the challenges faced by the army during the campaign, and the wider concepts coming out from the overall critical analysis of the campaign.

Examining Nepal's CMR Dynamics and Contemporary Circumstances for Strengthening it

2024-03-02T14:59:58+00:00

Civil-Military Relations (CMR) in Nepal has been a subject of ongoing contention amid the nation's dynamic political landscape. This article deals with Nepal's CMR dynamics, focusing on its historical progression and CMR-related contemporary circumstances. Despite the Nepali Army's historic non-intervention in politics, the state of CMR remains contentious. Drawing upon established CMR theories such as Principal-Agent, Institutional, Convergence, and Trinity theories, this study explores the root causes of CMR-related circumstances and its outcomes posing challenges in Nepal and proposes viable approaches for its mitigation. Highlighting the importance of civilian control over the armed forces, the study emphasizes the significance of coordinated efforts, effective communication, and respective stakeholder understanding on consolidating CMR. It asserts that the Nepali Army, being at the forefront of national security, holds a pivotal responsibility in fostering conducive CMR approaches, crucial for Nepal's national security interests. In essence, the article highlights the urgency of strengthening CMR in Nepal, advocating collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure effective civilian control, and safeguarding national interests and sovereignty.

NA’s Future Peacekeeping Engagement Through a Case of Operation Lifeline in UNMISS

2024-03-02T15:05:54+00:00

The essay delves into Nepal's substantial involvement in UN peacekeeping, particularly examining the Nepali Army's role in Operation Lifeline within the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). It traces the historical origins of Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) and its transformation into Operation Lifeline (OLL) within UNMISS, emphasizing Nepal's enduring commitment to global peace. The narrative focuses on OLL-54, where the Nepali High Readiness Company (NEPHRC) played a crucial role, exceeding agreed-upon limits to ensure the safe passage of the barge in a complex security situation. The essay underscores the operational credibility and professionalism of the Nepali contingents especially NEPHRC, suggesting it as a case for Nepal's unique contribution to future UN peacekeeping efforts. It advocates for the systematic documentation of such experiences, envisioning the development of a unique Nepali peacekeeping model for the world. In conclusion, the essay asserts that Nepal has an opportunity to showcase its commitment and achievements in international peacekeeping, reinforcing its position as a significant contributor to the evolving landscape of UN peace missions.

Nepali Army's (NA) six decades in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping is a reflection of Nepal's enduring commitment to global peace and security. This is not merely a legacy or an aggregate of numbers of participation, achievements, and sacrifices. NA today carries a huge baggage of experience and knowledgebase derived from different peacekeeping environments of conflict zones across the world from as many as 44 traditional and multi-dimensional UN peacekeeping missions. Quite significantly, NA can offer the UN a Nepali peacekeeping model based on lessons acquired through involvement and practice. From each mission and (the number of) contingents in those missions, NA has gathered tremendous lessons and learning (experience) from individuals - leaders and men alike and participating units. Yet very few attempts were made to collect those experiences and bring about inferences for its future application. The author believes that Nepal can contribute to the world with a unique outlook for future UN peacekeeping, which is always evolving. This paper, however, only attempts to discuss Operation Lifeline (OLL) of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in particular to derive lessons relevant for Nepal/NA to consider for the future.

Enhancing the Effectiveness of United Nations Peacekeeping Missions

2024-03-02T15:10:32+00:00

The primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is to maintain international peace and security. Since the establishment of the UN in 1948, UNSC through UNSC resolutions has pursued this aim by authorizing various peacekeeping missions. When the effectiveness of UN missions is analyzed, it has mixed responses. Some UN missions are considered very successful while some are criticized for their underperformance. The peacekeeping force has to operate in a volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous, and highly unpredictable environment with various limitations and constraints. The anti-UN sentiments are observed in some of the missions criticizing its ineffectiveness which has a detrimental effect on the overall credibility of the UN. In this context, the objective of this article is to highlight the challenges of contemporary peacekeeping operations and recommend ways to enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping forces to deal with prevailing challenges. The article is qualitative and based on secondary data. The personal experience and observation of the author as a peacekeeper in various UN peacekeeping missions in different capacities is also reflected in analyzing the weaknesses and effectiveness of contemporary UN peacekeeping missions. The major findings of this article are that UN missions in Chapter VII and VIII mandate need improvement in multiple facets for the effective implementation of mission mandates like R2P and PoC. The rising anti-UN sentiments in different UN missions and increasing trend by host nations demanding the closure of contemporary UN missions further advocate revitalization in the UN peacekeeping approach.

Navigating the Post-Unipolar World amidst Current Wars: Implications for Nepal

2024-03-02T15:15:26+00:00

This article explores the road to and implications of the Russo-Ukraine and the Hamas-Israel wars as the consequences of a rapidly transforming great power politics, transitioning from unipolarity to multipolarity. Drawing from scholarly perspectives and open-source resources, the effort has been to give an outlook extending beyond the wars themselves. The focus is on exploring the potential repercussions of this geopolitical shift the world over, but more importantly for a small country like Nepal. A bifocal lens of that of John J. Mearsheimer's realist approach and that of Graham Allison's Thucydides Trap is used to gauge Iinto the state of affairs of Eastern Europe and the Middle East to highlight the examples of such consequences. The conclusion extrapolates the conspicuous duality in the relationship between the great powers- The United States, China, and Russia and analyzes its potential implications for Nepal, drawing insights from the consequences of the Russo-Ukraine and Hamas-Israel wars.

Clausewitz and Sun Tzu: Insights in Military Studies for Staff College Students

2024-03-02T15:21:12+00:00

This article delves into the enduring relevance of the theories proposed by two renowned military thinkers for contemporary military professionals- Clausewitz and Sun Tzu, particularly to those at the mid-level officer ranks. Highlighting both shared and contrasting concepts, including war as an extension of policy, caution against prolonged conflicts, recognition of military genius, and appreciation of psychological factors, this article offers valuable insights for military practitioners in discerning and applying strategic principles in modern warfare. The paper explores the interplay between Clausewitz and Sun Tzu's perspectives and further provides a nuanced understanding of their theories, aiding military leaders in navigating the complexities of today's global security landscape.

Kenya's National Security Resilience: Way Forward

2024-03-02T15:25:30+00:00

This article examines the expanding role of Kenya in addressing emerging security threats in a complex and unpredictable environment, where state response to security threats is being challenged by a wide range of actors and the salience for national security resilience is being awakened. Contemporary security threats to Kenya originate from other states, non-state actors, and disasters. They include; cyber-attacks, misinformation, transnational crimes, terrorism, pandemics, and radicalization. These threats are increasingly pressuring national security institutions and negatively impacting society. National Security Resilience therefore becomes an essential element in ensuring that the state is capable of responding, recovering, and adapting to security tragedies and disasters. The article posits that the whole government approach to security resilience can be further strengthened by expanding the resilience of citizens and communities. It implores that national security resilience not only requires government efforts but also individual and constituent communities' inputs. Contemporary Kenyan society is vastly networked, interdependent, at risk, and more vulnerable to the effects of emerging security threats and events. This makes it vital to have citizens and communities as the cornerstone of national security resilience efforts. It recommends that security efforts should focus on strengthening individual and community resilience.