Vol. 1 No. 2 (2022): October to December

The Peruvian Army Center for Strategic Studies (CEEEP) presents the second edition of its "Revista Seguridad y Poder Terrestre," (Security and Land Power Journal) which aims to address the analysis, discussion and generation of ideas in aspects related to Security, Defense and the Military Profession. This quarterly journal publishes research articles that have the character of unpublished and original, and that focus on the four areas of study of the CEEEP: (1) Strategic Evaluation, (2) Strategic Anticipation, (3) Strategic Art and Land Power, and (4) Strategic Leadership and Institutional Management. This edition compiles six articles by renowned national and international collaborators and evaluated by external peers under the double-blind system to ensure quality. Additionally and from this edition on, the articles will be published in both Spanish and English, in this way we will seek to expand our readership and invite those interested inside and outside the country to read our analysis. This effort will be rewarded as long as a true reflection is generated on the topics we deal with in each edition.

In the first part of this publication, referring to Strategic Evaluation, the master María Ana Leal, in the article entitled "The Strategic Game of Argentina Against the Interests of China and the United States," points out that the interests of the great economic and military powers determine – and even condition – many of the dynamics and decisions of medium-sized countries such as Argentina, and will continue to do so within the framework of a certain margin of autonomy that these States can acquire through intelligent actions. According to the author, it is possible to redefine a foreign and national defense policy based on the prevalence of a strategic culture that does not necessarily share the guidelines and preferences of the country that concentrates the greatest world power, with all that this implies. Additionally, the Colonel of the National Army of Colombia, Juan Carlos Aristizabal González, in the article entitled "Transnational Organized Crime in the Triple Border between Brazil, Colombia and Peru," states that the triple border, due to its characteristics and vulnerabilities, has become an area where organizations involved in transnational organized crime (TOC) converge. The author also analyses the interaction of organized armed groups and organized crime groups with the TOC, which is reinforced through illicit economies on the borders of these three countries. Likewise, the Lieutenant Colonel of the Peruvian Army Manolo Eduardo Villagra, in the article entitled "Residual Organized Armed Groups and Transboundary Threats in Alto Putumayo," indicates that during the last decade, coca leaf crops have increased significantly in Colombia, with the Residual Organized Armed Groups (GAOR) being the main actors involved in the illicit drug trade in Colombia, the border area between Peru and Colombia. In this regard, this article analyzes the impact of GAOR on national security and development.

In the second part of this publication, referring to Strategic Anticipation, Dr. Robert Evan Ellis, in the article entitled "A Preliminary Look from Washington to the New Course of Colombia and the Security Challenges", analyzes the probable direction that the government of Gustavo Petro will take in Colombia in the field of economic, security and external policy, as well as the associated challenges. He argues that the administration will likely have the will, staff and legislative support to implement, at least partially, its radical change agenda.

In the third part of this publication, referring to Strategic Art and Land Power, the expert in Cybersecurity Policies and Strategy, Adolfo Arreola García, in the article entitled "Lethal Autonomous Weapons: Means of Defense and Attack," states that war is a constant in the history of human evolution, being considered as the last resort to end a dispute between two States. However, in accordance with the current international legal framework, the warring parties must restrict the use of force, avoid the disproportionate use of military action, and minimize collateral damage.

In the fourth part of this publication, referring to Strategic Leadership and Institutional Management, the Brigadier (R) of the Chilean Army, Jaime Guillermo García Covarrubias, in the article entitled "Reflection on the future of Military Transformation," analyzes the essence of military transformation, as well as proposes a methodology for its better understanding and application to an armed organization. It is suggested that military transformation be a permanent process of adaptation, not only in the face of new forms of conflict but also in the face of changes that occur in the sphere of society. Therefore, the understanding of the triads of the areas involved in the analysis methodology acquires significant importance.

Finally, the CEEEP hopes that these articles will be of interest and pleasure to readers, and encourage the analysis, discussion and generation of ideas in aspects related to Security, Defense and the Military Profession.