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BLANKEN, LEO J (5) answer(s).
 
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ID:   171009


Arming the Peace: Foreign Security Assistance and Human Rights Conditions in Post-Conflict Countries / Sullivan, Patricia L; Blanken, Leo J; Rice, Ian C   Journal Article
Sullivan, Patricia L Journal Article
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Summary/Abstract What are the effects of foreign security assistance on the quality of the peace in post-conflict countries? Despite the stakes, and the tremendous amount of weaponry and other forms of foreign military aid flowing to governments of post-conflict countries, the academic literature provides little guidance as to what effects policymakers and practitioners should expect from this type of aid. Military assistance provided to the government of a country emerging from the turmoil of civil war could enable the state to establish a monopoly on the legitimate use of force, leading to a more durable peace and greater human security. However, we contend that significant flows of military aid and weapons from foreign governments may encourage regimes to adopt more repressive approaches to governance. We investigate the impact of security assistance on human rights conditions after 171 internal armed conflicts that ended between 1956 and 2012 using a novel measure of military aid and an instrumented measure of weapons transfers. We find strong evidence that both military aid and arms transfers to post-conflict governments increase state repression.
Key Words Human Rights  Arms transfers  Foreign Aid  Repression  Military Aid  Post conflict 
H56  H11  H41  F35 
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2
ID:   140260


Performance measurement in military operations: information versus incentives / Blanken, Leo J; Lepore, Jason J   Article
Blanken, Leo J Article
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Summary/Abstract We explore the impact of strategic assessment efforts on military organizations at war. To do so, we construct a model to explore the impact of a principal’s choice among imperfect performance metrics for a military operation. In doing so, the principal must consider both the incentivizing and informational properties of the metric. We show the conditions under which uncertainty regarding the nature of the agent, as well as uncertainty regarding the operational environment, drives a metric choice that induces pathological behavior from the agent. More specifically, a poor metric choice can create an overly optimistic assessment and end up prolonging the conflict. We illustrate the model’s insights in the cases of World War II and the Vietnam War.
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3
ID:   116065


Reconciling strategic studies?…?with itself: a common framework for choosing among strategies / Blanken, Leo J   Journal Article
Blanken, Leo J Journal Article
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Publication 2012.
Summary/Abstract Three distinct, and seemingly irreconcilable, schools of thought are identified within the strategic studies literature. One which searches for "universal principles of war," a second, "context-dependent," approach that seeks to embed each instance of warfare within its concurrent social, political, technological milieu and, finally a "paradoxical logic" school, which equates strategy with the generation of uncertainty. The author offers some intuitive concepts from non-cooperative game theory to develop a "dominate-mix" approach to strategy choice. In doing so, he helps to reconcile these disparate approaches and provides a simple framework to assist researchers in framing military decisions as well as to assist planners in choosing among strategies.
Key Words Game Theory  Principles of War  Uncertainty  Clausewitz  Strategic Studies  Jomini 
Luttwak 
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4
ID:   105044


Slowing down to keep the lead in military technology / Blanken, Leo J; Lepore, Jason J   Journal Article
Blanken, Leo J Journal Article
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Publication 2011.
Summary/Abstract We develop a model of military technology competition among states. States can choose to introduce new military technology, mimic rivals' level of technology, or withdraw from the contest. States can choose to implement any level of technology within their current feasible technologies. We find that states with significant technological leads should sometimes withhold new technologies, only strategically releasing them to trump rivals' efforts. We develop the model by refining Admiral Jackie Fisher's roughly articulated concept of 'plunging'. We then use this refined argument to reanalyze the case of naval rivalries among European powers between the Crimean War and the First World War. Finally, we conclude by discussing the model's implications for current US military force structure planning.
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5
ID:   116069


Unpacking the various meanings of redundancy: from refining the concept to military planning / Blanken, Leo J; Lepore, Jason J   Journal Article
Blanken, Leo J Journal Article
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Publication 2012.
Summary/Abstract The authors engage in the debate over waste in military force structure planning by rigorously deconstructing the concept of "redundancy." First, a typology of redundancy is constructed that provides a common framework for identifying variety among redundant structures. These are labeled "true redundancy," "expanded capacity," "portfolio diversification," and "mission overlap." Further, a number of mechanisms are identified that produce these types of structures, and show the conditions under which planners may utilize redundant structure in the search for optimization. In sum, the article provides refined concepts for analysts and planners to identify when redundancy is deleterious or beneficial.
Key Words Diversification  Capacity  Optimization  Redundancy  Mission Overlap 
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