The work deals with geopolitics of inner solar system with focus on extraterrestrial celestial bo... more The work deals with geopolitics of inner solar system with focus on extraterrestrial celestial bodies. First part deals with definitions, delimitation of researched territory, and definition of researched questions. Afterwards, we deal with basics of astrophysics which is necessary precondition for understanding specifics of astropolitics and the issue of space- faring actors. Here, both state and non-state actors, their capacities and ability to become colonizing actor, are assessed. The work continues with exploration of single celestial bodies - Earth's Moon, Mars and its moons, and smaller bodies like asteroids. The final chapter scratches the issues crucial for space colonization such as sovereignty and weaponization. Based on these factors, few models of space colonization are presented. Conclusion then sums up all our findings and geopolitical map of "blue planet's" neighbourhood is presented.Práce se zabývá geopolitikou vnitřní sluneční soustavy se zaměření...
The paper presents the geoeconomics and geopolitics of the two major trade proposals-Transatlanti... more The paper presents the geoeconomics and geopolitics of the two major trade proposals-Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and One Belt One Road-from the Central European perspective. First, the Visegrad Group is presented as a loose, nevertheless significant, grouping of the four post-communist countries in Central Europe. Furthermore, it argues that both TTIP and OBOR are manifestations of the geopolitical strategies of respectively the US and the PRC. After examining the European trade strategy, the paper argues that the Visegrad 4 approach towards these proposals reflects the internal political strife rather than a coherent shift in the foreign policy orientation away from the pro-Western orientation. For the V4 countries, the economic and security ties to Western Europe and the US remain crucial, despite the growing pro-Eastern tendencies in a part of the population and political representation.
It is my pleasure to introduce the first piece in a the Deutsch Security Square new series of occ... more It is my pleasure to introduce the first piece in a the Deutsch Security Square new series of occasional exchanges on topical security issues of the day. In this pioneering conversation, Nikola Schmidt and Bohumil Dobos, both with the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University discuss the future of European astropolitics. The exchange was stimulated by Dobos’ article ‘Geopolitics of the Moon: A European Perspective’ published by Astropolitics 13(2015):1. Schmidt challenges Dobos’ case for desirability of ‘colonising’ the Moon to prevent access denial of space exploration by potentially hostile actors by pointing to several political, legal and technical issues that problematise this position, leading to dialectical development of Dobos’ argument and situating it in a broader context of EU’s strategy.
This series seeks to promote understanding of large-scale and long-term processes of social chang... more This series seeks to promote understanding of large-scale and long-term processes of social change, in particular the many facets and implications of globalization. It critically explores the factors that affect the historical formation and current evolution of social systems, on both the regional and global level. Processes and factors that are examined include economies, technologies, geopolitics, institutions, conflicts, demographic trends, climate change, global culture, social movements, global inequalities, etc. Building on world-systems analysis, the series addresses topics such as globalization from historical and comparative perspectives, trends in global inequalities, core-periphery relations and the rise and fall of hegemonic core states, transnational institutions, and the long-term energy transition. This ambitious interdisciplinary and international series presents cutting-edge research by social scientists who study whole human systems and is relevant for all readers interested in systems approaches to the emerging world society, especially historians, political scientists, economists, sociologists, geographers and anthropologists. All titles in this series are peer-reviewed.
This book presents a comprehensive geopolitical analysis of European space activities. By studyin... more This book presents a comprehensive geopolitical analysis of European space activities. By studying outer space as a physical and socio-economic space as well as a military-diplomatic area, the author helps readers understand outer space as a geopolitical environment. The book also offers insights into the behavior and strategies of different actors, with a special focus on the European space strategy and the nature of the European space program and diplomacy.
Central European Journal of International and Security Studies, Oct 22, 2021
While the bipolar Cold War system in Europe was characterized by a stability of borders, the end ... more While the bipolar Cold War system in Europe was characterized by a stability of borders, the end of the Cold War brought into the former Soviet bloc a wave of more or less successful attempts of secession. In our article we point out that unrecognized entities in the proximity of Russia are not genuine attempts to establish full-fledged members of the international community but rather a deliberate reaction to a changing geopolitical situation in Europe. We argue that Russia´s approach towards Eurasian unrecognized entities is not based on the denial of sovereignty first approach, but rather on utilitarian and selective application of normative theories of secession. The Kosovo precedence based on the application of priority of self-determination over the territorial integrity is a welcome pretext for justifying Russian geopolitical strategy vis-á-vis Moldova, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine. The paper deals with the presented justifications of the secession (both primary rights and derivative rights theories) of the post-Soviet unrecognized entities as well as their effectiveness and dependence on Russian support. We conclude that none of the analysed unrecognized entities fits into a new set of normative criteria applied in the case of Kosovo and that they are only geopolitical outposts of the Russian foreign strategy of maintaining controlled instability.
The article offers a modified theoretical approach toward the issue of secession and internationa... more The article offers a modified theoretical approach toward the issue of secession and international recognition. Based on the novel political theory of secession as presented by Milena Sterio and the measurement of external involvement in secessionist attempts as researched by Alexis Heraclides, the article provides a theoretical model of modified (super)power rule. The article, based on preliminary conclusions from an internal dataset of secessionist attempts between 1946 and 2016 containing 63 items, argues that effective (super)power support is a sufficient condition for the de facto independence of any secessionist entity. The model is tested on cases of Somaliland, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Kosovo, and Transnistria.
ABSTRACT The paper compares political territoriality of selected jihadist violent non-state actor... more ABSTRACT The paper compares political territoriality of selected jihadist violent non-state actors. Looking at selected groups that attempted to control territory (Afghan Taliban, Al-Shabaab, the Islamic State), it attempts to establish a generalization regarding the use of territory by this type of violent non-state actors. To this end, it analyses connection of territory to groups´ security provision, economic activity, and identity. Despite many differences among the groups, it concludes that these groups often utilize both territorial and personal characteristics. Territoriality of these actors is reactive as they are unable to present a sustained control in contested regions.
ABSTRACT The text reacts to the development of the concept of Partially Independent Territories i... more ABSTRACT The text reacts to the development of the concept of Partially Independent Territories in previous works. Even though the authors clearly agree with the need to study territories diverging from the traditionally accepted understanding of sovereignty, they find several empirical and conceptual problems with this particular term. The text presents a critique of some of the important aspects of the PITs. The presented response to the previous research aims to highlight the most problematic issues and help further develop and clarify our understanding of the partial independence.
A total of 258 breeding pairs of the Hoopoe were recorded in Silesia (c. 42,000 km 2), SW Poland,... more A total of 258 breeding pairs of the Hoopoe were recorded in Silesia (c. 42,000 km 2), SW Poland, during the years 2004-2008. This is almost twice more than during the years 1978-1987 (136 pairs). This increase was rather unexpected. After a transformation in the agriculture, which took place in Poland in the 1990's, large areas of meadows and pastures, which constitute main foraging grounds of the Hoopoe, have been abandoned and cattle faming has been greatly reduced. However, climate changes (warming effect), which were recorded in this region in meantime, could have been in other way conducive for this species.
ABSTRACT Asteroid and comet collisions present low-chance, high-impact risks for the Earth. As su... more ABSTRACT Asteroid and comet collisions present low-chance, high-impact risks for the Earth. As such, it is unlikely that space powers will invest into capabilities aiming at the development of new deflection technologies leaving planetary defense with two readily available methods – kinetic impactor and nuclear warhead. Legally and normatively, the use of a nuclear device in outer space is in the current state of affairs forbidden. In the case of an emergency with an impending impact, such an approach is needed. This article suggests that establishment of an exception in international space law strengthens the nuclear regime while allowing for an effective deflection in the space domain if the need arises.
The paper reviews the main approaches towards the study of the geopolitics of outer space and pre... more The paper reviews the main approaches towards the study of the geopolitics of outer space and presents some main issues to be tackled in the future. Geopolitics, as an approach towards the analysis of international politics, generally discusses the impact of geography on the political processes. Throughout history, approaches to analyse the impact of different types of terrain or different types of environment (sea, air, land) on the conduct of political activity were developed. It was only in the 1990s when Everett Dolman applied the geopolitical approach to the outer space domain. Since then, many approaches to the issue were developed, and the stream known as astropolitics became an important stream of academic thought. The author analyses some physical characteristics necessary for the understanding of the domainʼs mechanisms and then presents some important streams of thought inside the geopolitical thinking. The analysis focuses on the issues of actorness, the relations between space powers, technological progress, the introduction of space weapons, utilisation of natural resources, and sustainability of space operations. The author concludes that with foreseeable technological progress in the future, the outer space domain will become more relevant for both academia and practitioners in their approach to international politics, requiring deeper understanding of how processes in this domain can impact political events and relations.
The contribution tackles the possibilities of the international recognition of the Kurdistan stat... more The contribution tackles the possibilities of the international recognition of the Kurdistan state from the theoretical perspective of the modified (super)power rule. It is argued that different powers have different impact on either de facto or de iure independence of the region. Also the issue of diverse interactions and goals is being presented in order to evaluate the chances for Kurdish sovereign statehood.
The next chapter is dedicated to the development of the theoretical framework of the work. New Mi... more The next chapter is dedicated to the development of the theoretical framework of the work. New Middle Ages as a theory is gaining prominence due to the fact that it offers a systematic alternative to the Westphalian understanding of the world system in a period when we can observe many exceptions from the Westphalian understanding of the international politics. In the following text, the work will first deal with the theoretical development of the theory as it occurred in the literature of the past four decades. Consequently, the chapter brings up some important observations regarding the decay of state-centric system and rise of non-state actors that are crucial for the subsequent analysis. Afterward, the argument moves to the description and delimitation of Durable Disorder and Chaotic Anarchy scenarios as challenging geopolitical environments significantly different from the currently accepted Westphalian norm.
The work deals with geopolitics of inner solar system with focus on extraterrestrial celestial bo... more The work deals with geopolitics of inner solar system with focus on extraterrestrial celestial bodies. First part deals with definitions, delimitation of researched territory, and definition of researched questions. Afterwards, we deal with basics of astrophysics which is necessary precondition for understanding specifics of astropolitics and the issue of space- faring actors. Here, both state and non-state actors, their capacities and ability to become colonizing actor, are assessed. The work continues with exploration of single celestial bodies - Earth's Moon, Mars and its moons, and smaller bodies like asteroids. The final chapter scratches the issues crucial for space colonization such as sovereignty and weaponization. Based on these factors, few models of space colonization are presented. Conclusion then sums up all our findings and geopolitical map of "blue planet's" neighbourhood is presented.Práce se zabývá geopolitikou vnitřní sluneční soustavy se zaměření...
The paper presents the geoeconomics and geopolitics of the two major trade proposals-Transatlanti... more The paper presents the geoeconomics and geopolitics of the two major trade proposals-Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and One Belt One Road-from the Central European perspective. First, the Visegrad Group is presented as a loose, nevertheless significant, grouping of the four post-communist countries in Central Europe. Furthermore, it argues that both TTIP and OBOR are manifestations of the geopolitical strategies of respectively the US and the PRC. After examining the European trade strategy, the paper argues that the Visegrad 4 approach towards these proposals reflects the internal political strife rather than a coherent shift in the foreign policy orientation away from the pro-Western orientation. For the V4 countries, the economic and security ties to Western Europe and the US remain crucial, despite the growing pro-Eastern tendencies in a part of the population and political representation.
It is my pleasure to introduce the first piece in a the Deutsch Security Square new series of occ... more It is my pleasure to introduce the first piece in a the Deutsch Security Square new series of occasional exchanges on topical security issues of the day. In this pioneering conversation, Nikola Schmidt and Bohumil Dobos, both with the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University discuss the future of European astropolitics. The exchange was stimulated by Dobos’ article ‘Geopolitics of the Moon: A European Perspective’ published by Astropolitics 13(2015):1. Schmidt challenges Dobos’ case for desirability of ‘colonising’ the Moon to prevent access denial of space exploration by potentially hostile actors by pointing to several political, legal and technical issues that problematise this position, leading to dialectical development of Dobos’ argument and situating it in a broader context of EU’s strategy.
This series seeks to promote understanding of large-scale and long-term processes of social chang... more This series seeks to promote understanding of large-scale and long-term processes of social change, in particular the many facets and implications of globalization. It critically explores the factors that affect the historical formation and current evolution of social systems, on both the regional and global level. Processes and factors that are examined include economies, technologies, geopolitics, institutions, conflicts, demographic trends, climate change, global culture, social movements, global inequalities, etc. Building on world-systems analysis, the series addresses topics such as globalization from historical and comparative perspectives, trends in global inequalities, core-periphery relations and the rise and fall of hegemonic core states, transnational institutions, and the long-term energy transition. This ambitious interdisciplinary and international series presents cutting-edge research by social scientists who study whole human systems and is relevant for all readers interested in systems approaches to the emerging world society, especially historians, political scientists, economists, sociologists, geographers and anthropologists. All titles in this series are peer-reviewed.
This book presents a comprehensive geopolitical analysis of European space activities. By studyin... more This book presents a comprehensive geopolitical analysis of European space activities. By studying outer space as a physical and socio-economic space as well as a military-diplomatic area, the author helps readers understand outer space as a geopolitical environment. The book also offers insights into the behavior and strategies of different actors, with a special focus on the European space strategy and the nature of the European space program and diplomacy.
Central European Journal of International and Security Studies, Oct 22, 2021
While the bipolar Cold War system in Europe was characterized by a stability of borders, the end ... more While the bipolar Cold War system in Europe was characterized by a stability of borders, the end of the Cold War brought into the former Soviet bloc a wave of more or less successful attempts of secession. In our article we point out that unrecognized entities in the proximity of Russia are not genuine attempts to establish full-fledged members of the international community but rather a deliberate reaction to a changing geopolitical situation in Europe. We argue that Russia´s approach towards Eurasian unrecognized entities is not based on the denial of sovereignty first approach, but rather on utilitarian and selective application of normative theories of secession. The Kosovo precedence based on the application of priority of self-determination over the territorial integrity is a welcome pretext for justifying Russian geopolitical strategy vis-á-vis Moldova, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine. The paper deals with the presented justifications of the secession (both primary rights and derivative rights theories) of the post-Soviet unrecognized entities as well as their effectiveness and dependence on Russian support. We conclude that none of the analysed unrecognized entities fits into a new set of normative criteria applied in the case of Kosovo and that they are only geopolitical outposts of the Russian foreign strategy of maintaining controlled instability.
The article offers a modified theoretical approach toward the issue of secession and internationa... more The article offers a modified theoretical approach toward the issue of secession and international recognition. Based on the novel political theory of secession as presented by Milena Sterio and the measurement of external involvement in secessionist attempts as researched by Alexis Heraclides, the article provides a theoretical model of modified (super)power rule. The article, based on preliminary conclusions from an internal dataset of secessionist attempts between 1946 and 2016 containing 63 items, argues that effective (super)power support is a sufficient condition for the de facto independence of any secessionist entity. The model is tested on cases of Somaliland, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Kosovo, and Transnistria.
ABSTRACT The paper compares political territoriality of selected jihadist violent non-state actor... more ABSTRACT The paper compares political territoriality of selected jihadist violent non-state actors. Looking at selected groups that attempted to control territory (Afghan Taliban, Al-Shabaab, the Islamic State), it attempts to establish a generalization regarding the use of territory by this type of violent non-state actors. To this end, it analyses connection of territory to groups´ security provision, economic activity, and identity. Despite many differences among the groups, it concludes that these groups often utilize both territorial and personal characteristics. Territoriality of these actors is reactive as they are unable to present a sustained control in contested regions.
ABSTRACT The text reacts to the development of the concept of Partially Independent Territories i... more ABSTRACT The text reacts to the development of the concept of Partially Independent Territories in previous works. Even though the authors clearly agree with the need to study territories diverging from the traditionally accepted understanding of sovereignty, they find several empirical and conceptual problems with this particular term. The text presents a critique of some of the important aspects of the PITs. The presented response to the previous research aims to highlight the most problematic issues and help further develop and clarify our understanding of the partial independence.
A total of 258 breeding pairs of the Hoopoe were recorded in Silesia (c. 42,000 km 2), SW Poland,... more A total of 258 breeding pairs of the Hoopoe were recorded in Silesia (c. 42,000 km 2), SW Poland, during the years 2004-2008. This is almost twice more than during the years 1978-1987 (136 pairs). This increase was rather unexpected. After a transformation in the agriculture, which took place in Poland in the 1990's, large areas of meadows and pastures, which constitute main foraging grounds of the Hoopoe, have been abandoned and cattle faming has been greatly reduced. However, climate changes (warming effect), which were recorded in this region in meantime, could have been in other way conducive for this species.
ABSTRACT Asteroid and comet collisions present low-chance, high-impact risks for the Earth. As su... more ABSTRACT Asteroid and comet collisions present low-chance, high-impact risks for the Earth. As such, it is unlikely that space powers will invest into capabilities aiming at the development of new deflection technologies leaving planetary defense with two readily available methods – kinetic impactor and nuclear warhead. Legally and normatively, the use of a nuclear device in outer space is in the current state of affairs forbidden. In the case of an emergency with an impending impact, such an approach is needed. This article suggests that establishment of an exception in international space law strengthens the nuclear regime while allowing for an effective deflection in the space domain if the need arises.
The paper reviews the main approaches towards the study of the geopolitics of outer space and pre... more The paper reviews the main approaches towards the study of the geopolitics of outer space and presents some main issues to be tackled in the future. Geopolitics, as an approach towards the analysis of international politics, generally discusses the impact of geography on the political processes. Throughout history, approaches to analyse the impact of different types of terrain or different types of environment (sea, air, land) on the conduct of political activity were developed. It was only in the 1990s when Everett Dolman applied the geopolitical approach to the outer space domain. Since then, many approaches to the issue were developed, and the stream known as astropolitics became an important stream of academic thought. The author analyses some physical characteristics necessary for the understanding of the domainʼs mechanisms and then presents some important streams of thought inside the geopolitical thinking. The analysis focuses on the issues of actorness, the relations between space powers, technological progress, the introduction of space weapons, utilisation of natural resources, and sustainability of space operations. The author concludes that with foreseeable technological progress in the future, the outer space domain will become more relevant for both academia and practitioners in their approach to international politics, requiring deeper understanding of how processes in this domain can impact political events and relations.
The contribution tackles the possibilities of the international recognition of the Kurdistan stat... more The contribution tackles the possibilities of the international recognition of the Kurdistan state from the theoretical perspective of the modified (super)power rule. It is argued that different powers have different impact on either de facto or de iure independence of the region. Also the issue of diverse interactions and goals is being presented in order to evaluate the chances for Kurdish sovereign statehood.
The next chapter is dedicated to the development of the theoretical framework of the work. New Mi... more The next chapter is dedicated to the development of the theoretical framework of the work. New Middle Ages as a theory is gaining prominence due to the fact that it offers a systematic alternative to the Westphalian understanding of the world system in a period when we can observe many exceptions from the Westphalian understanding of the international politics. In the following text, the work will first deal with the theoretical development of the theory as it occurred in the literature of the past four decades. Consequently, the chapter brings up some important observations regarding the decay of state-centric system and rise of non-state actors that are crucial for the subsequent analysis. Afterward, the argument moves to the description and delimitation of Durable Disorder and Chaotic Anarchy scenarios as challenging geopolitical environments significantly different from the currently accepted Westphalian norm.
Zhoršující se bezpečnostní situace v Burkině Faso přináší významné
riziko pro destabilizaci regio... more Zhoršující se bezpečnostní situace v Burkině Faso přináší významné riziko pro destabilizaci regionu a přeliv násilí do regionu západní Afriky. Zvyšující se míra násilí je způsobena kombinací vlivu konfliktů v sousedních zemích, špatné situace v ozbrojených složkách a nepříznivé socio-ekonomické situace v zemi. Bezpečnostní situace již přímo ohrožuje sousední státy s početnou populací, kde hrozí riziko propuknutí konfliktů, jejichž vedlejším efektem by bylo i započetí významných pohybů obyvatelstva. Česká republika by měla brát situaci v Burkině Faso se vší vážností a vzhledem k velikosti státu, stupni jeho rozvoje a historii vzájemných vztahů pomoci při stabilizaci situace.
It is my pleasure to introduce the first piece in a the Deutsch Security Square new series of occ... more It is my pleasure to introduce the first piece in a the Deutsch Security Square new series of occassional exchanges on topical security issues of the day. In this pioneering conversation, Nikola Schmidt and Bohumil Dobos, both with the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University discuss the future of European astropolitics. The exchange was stimulated by Dobos’ article ‘Geopolitics of the Moon: A European Perspective’ published by Astropolitics 13(2015):1. Schmidt challenges Dobos’ case for desirability of ‘colonising’ the Moon to prevent access denial of space exploration by potentially hostile actors by pointing to several political, legal and technical issues that problematise this position, leading to dialectical development of Dobos’ argument and situating it in a broader context of EU’s strategy. Ondrej Ditrych, D.SQ Coordinator
This book presents a comprehensive geopolitical analysis of European space activities. By studyin... more This book presents a comprehensive geopolitical analysis of European space activities. By studying outer space as a physical and socio-economic space as well as a military-diplomatic area, the author helps readers understand outer space as a geopolitical environment. The book also offers insights into the behavior and strategies of different actors, with a special focus on the European space strategy and the nature of the European space program and diplomacy.
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Papers by Bohumil Doboš
riziko pro destabilizaci regionu a přeliv násilí do regionu západní
Afriky.
Zvyšující se míra násilí je způsobena kombinací vlivu konfliktů v sousedních zemích, špatné situace v ozbrojených složkách a nepříznivé
socio-ekonomické situace v zemi.
Bezpečnostní situace již přímo ohrožuje sousední státy s početnou
populací, kde hrozí riziko propuknutí konfliktů, jejichž vedlejším
efektem by bylo i započetí významných pohybů obyvatelstva.
Česká republika by měla brát situaci v Burkině Faso se vší vážností
a vzhledem k velikosti státu, stupni jeho rozvoje a historii vzájemných vztahů pomoci při stabilizaci situace.
on topical security issues of the day. In this pioneering conversation, Nikola Schmidt and Bohumil Dobos, both with
the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University discuss the future of European astropolitics. The exchange was
stimulated by Dobos’ article ‘Geopolitics of the Moon: A European Perspective’ published by Astropolitics 13(2015):1.
Schmidt challenges Dobos’ case for desirability of ‘colonising’ the Moon to prevent access denial of space exploration
by potentially hostile actors by pointing to several political, legal and technical issues that problematise this position,
leading to dialectical development of Dobos’ argument and situating it in a broader context of EU’s strategy.
Ondrej Ditrych, D.SQ Coordinator