The Defence Horizon Journal - Podcasts Archiv

Given the relevance, evolution, and proliferation of cognitive warfare in the modern age, it is necessary to delve deeper into the concept to gain an empirical understanding that can inform future policies and practices. Accordingly, a systematic literature review was carried out to define the concept in relation to six key aspects, namely its demarcation from adjacent fields, the actors involved, the targets of cognitive attacks, as well as the significance of cyberspace, the lawfulness, and the role of intent. Additionally, these aspects were analysed through the lenses of the two main schools of thought currently dominating cognitive warfare–namely a minimalist and maximalist approach. Even though both perspectives add valuable aspects to the conceptualisation of cognitive warfare, the maximalist interpretation is preferable due to its ability to reflect more accurately the current scope and understanding of what cognitive warfare entails.

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This essay examines Germany's lack of strategic culture and its implications for deterrence and security policy. Written in the aftermath of the MSC 2025 and the context of growing geopolitical instability, it highlights how Europe’s reliance on the United States, combined with a weak defence mindset, undermines the ability to deter adversaries. The analysis compares Germany’s approach to security with that of France, the UK and smaller European states, demonstrating how strategic autonomy, societal resilience and military readiness contribute to credible deterrence. Additionally, it emphasises the need for a more proactive and engaged public discourse on security matters.

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Artificial intelligence is reshaping the offence–defence balance in cyberspace. Drawing on recent cases (PromptLock ransomware, Auto-Exploit pipelines, and the Air Force’s DASH wargame) and a systematic review of academic articles, this study examines how AI alters tempo, cost, and thresholds in cyberspace operations. Findings show that AI accelerates offensive exploitation, enables polymorphism, and lowers expertise requirements, while defence depends on machine-speed decision support constrained by institutional readiness. The short-term tilt favours offence, yet policy-aware autonomy and resilient governance can restore partial parity. AI functions as a structural force influencing the trajectory of state competition in cyberspace.

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Die westliche Sicherheit wird durch eine strukturelle Kluft zwischen Marktanreizen und Verteidigungsbedürfnissen untergraben: Märkte belohnen Effizienz und kurzfristige Margen, während Rüstung und Sicherheit hingegen Redundanz, Resilienz und Skalierung erfordern. Nur großvolumige Fertigung ermöglicht Lernkurven, technologische Führungsfähigkeit und strategische Souveränität, die aber nur mit geringen Profitmargen einhergehen.

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The cyber threat landscape has grown in scale, sophistication and complexity due to advancements in AI. This evolution can be observed across multiple threat vectors, including cyber-enabled fraud, supply chain attacks, malicious insiders, and disinformation. To fully assess their impact, it is essential to consider their synergistic effects. Meanwhile, the opportunities in cybersecurity are both formidable and exciting, provided the associated risks are properly addressed. Apart from the automation, evolution, and scaling of cyber defence, it is relevant to consider the substantial potential for reducing the attack surface and disrupting adversarial behaviour.

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With a renewed focus on nuclear stockpiling among certain state actors, there is an urgent need to identify successful pathways for nuclear disarmament. History has demonstrated that this is an achievable goal, with important lessons for contemporary security discourse and policy. The potential lessons extend beyond purely security dividends, with potential contributions to economic and environmental discourses as well. The case presented in this contribution - titled at different times the HEU Deal, the Grand Uranium Bargain, or Megatons to Megawatts M2M - was the product of sustained cooperation between enemies (USA - USSR/Russia) and multiple stakeholders. It was an early, still little-known, yet useful component of just transitions to climate-compatible societies. The positive results of this actual cooperative disarmament case significantly contribute to the moral argument for nuclear disarmament with a practical, almost utilitarian rationale. The larger framework of transitions to climate-compatible societies creates a broader motivational framework that must be employed to properly evaluate the results of actual nuclear disarmament cases and the need for sustained cooperation.

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The global energy transition faces a fundamental challenge: how to accelerate renewable energy deployment while maintaining systemic stability and social equity. This research examines the principle of "as fast as possible, as slow as necessary" through a qualitative analysis of governance approaches, social acceptance mechanisms, and case studies from Latin America and Denmark. Using literature review and comparative case study methodology, we analyse how different governance models influence transition pacing and outcomes. Our findings reveal that hybrid governance models, combining centralised policy frameworks with decentralised community participation, offer the most viable pathway for balancing rapid decarbonization with systemic stability. The study demonstrates that social acceptance is a critical determinant of feasible transition pace, with energy communities serving as effective mechanisms for redistributing power and enhancing participation. Denmark's experience illustrates the successful integration of high renewable energy shares through consistent policy frameworks and community engagement. At the same time, Latin American cases highlight the importance of addressing distributional justice and cultural considerations. The research concludes that optimal energy transition pacing requires differentiated approaches across sectors, sequenced implementation strategies, and continuous adaptation to local contexts. These insights provide a framework for policymakers seeking to navigate the complex trade-offs between speed and stability in energy transitions.

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India’s climate action trajectory holds immense implications for both national resilience and global climate stability. As the world’s most populous country, with a rapidly expanding economy and a young, skilled workforce, India finds itself at a strategic crossroads. This essay evaluates India’s current mitigation efforts, adaptation vulnerabilities, and the global implications of its energy and climate choices. With significant socio-economic disparities, geographical exposures, and political constraints, India presents both a risk and an opportunity for the global climate regime.

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Artificial Intelligence is transforming the functioning and interaction of weapon systems and changing how battles are fought. That said, there are still many unresolved questions regarding the safety and security of AI systems. The core concern is that military organisations must adopt a multifaceted approach to effectively manage AI-associated risks, combining technical measures with organisational adaptability. This can only be achieved by considering institutional mechanisms as well as software and hardware in the context of AI development. By addressing these challenges, military organisations can navigate the evolving landscape of AI more securely while enhancing their operational efficiency and effectiveness.

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Artificial Intelligence is transforming warfare on land, in the air, and above all—for this paper—at sea. AI is not only enhancing non-kinetic dimensions, such as information dominance, cyber operations, and decision-making processes, but is also amplifying the effectiveness of kinetic means. Recent conflicts have demonstrated how AI-enabled systems are used to deter, degrade, and destroy enemy assets, reshaping both the physical and virtual battlefields. This change necessitates a new perspective on military operations, where AI and digital technology are seamlessly integrated from planning to logistics.

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This study examines the relationship between the level of automation in warfare and combat effectiveness, focusing on unmanned combat systems (UCS). As the Republic of Korea faces a significant decline in the availability of military personnel due to demographic changes, UCS adoption has become a critical priority. While UCSs are anticipated to surpass human combatants in operational efficiency, they require substantial maintenance and repair resources. Using an agent-based model adapted from ecological frameworks, this study simulates conflict scenarios involving two opposing groups. Simulation results show that UCS units consistently outperform human combatants and play a substantial role in reducing the duration of conflict. These findings highlight the complex interplay between UCS, human soldiers, and maintenance personnel, suggesting that simply augmenting the combat effectiveness of human troops does not necessarily guarantee victory.

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This paper explores the persistent tensions within U.S. security cooperation, where efforts to build partner capacity often collide with the realities of sovereignty, hierarchy, and risk. Although designed to enhance global stability, security cooperation initiatives frequently impose on partner autonomy, revealing the hierarchical nature of the international system beneath the rhetoric of equal partnership. Drawing from strategic theory and operational experience, the paper introduces the "security cooperation dilemma," highlighting the twin fears of entrapment for the dominant power and abandonment for the partner. It criticises existing Department of Defense (DOD) frameworks, especially the Significant Security Cooperation Initiative Construct (SSCIC), for inadequately addressing political willingness and absorptive capacity. The analysis argues that political commitment is a function of risk, particularly physical and political, and should be observed through tangible actions rather than verbal assurances. The study concludes by advocating for a recalibration of security cooperation practices, emphasising strategic patience, realistic timelines, and a rigorous focus on genuine political commitment and risk absorption as prerequisites for sustainable security cooperation success.

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With each passing day, the amount of verified information regarding violations of international humanitarian law and human rights by the Russian Federation continues to grow. One of the most striking examples of the Russian Federation’s disregard for its international obligations is its treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). These violations include executions, torture, denial of access to fair trials, intelligence operations targeting their relatives, and more.

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Taiwan must rethink its defence strategy due to a rising threat from China’s overwhelming military and industrial capabilities. However, Taiwan faces critical imbalances in troop strength, defence budgets, and technological infrastructure, emphasising the need for an asymmetric approach to deterrence. In this respect, Taiwan could draw lessons from Ukraine’s civilian-led drone innovation and Israel’s integrated civil preparedness to formulate policies that harness its semiconductor leadership and technological expertise. By empowering civil society through coordinated training, decentralised drone production, and dual-use infrastructure, Taiwan can transform its vulnerabilities into a resilient defence ecosystem, capable of countering China’s strategic advantages.

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