Global Affairs December 23, 2023 by
CIRIS
Panoply Journal
The Panoply Journal of International Relations“>International Relations
The Center for International Relations“>International Relations and International Security publishes a journal at least once yearly. The journal is peer-reviewed, and researchers are free to submit their work to be published regardless of membership status.
The Panoply Journal prides itself on publishing articles about International Relations“>International Relations and international security from students and professionals worldwide. The word “panoply” comes from the Greek “πανοπλία” and refers to the full armor of the hoplite soldier in ancient Greek times. Students of International Relations“>International Relations will most likely have stumbled on the word in the History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.
This year, we have had several interesting submissions, and we want to highlight one from this year and one from one of our previous editions (please note that we are working hard to transfer the previous editions to this new system).
Understanding and Treating Victims of Terrorism: Insights from the ‘Iron Swords’ War
In this compelling article, set against the backdrop of the harrowing ‘Iron Swords’ war in Israel, a comprehensive approach to treating victims of terrorism is explored. The focus is not just on civilians but extends to a wide array of individuals directly impacted by the terror, including non-uniform-wearing soldiers, direct combatants, special units of the Israel Defense Force (IDF), and personnel from ZAKA (Disaster Victim Identification Organization) and the Forensic Identification Department.
Key to this discussion is the recognition of the unique and varied affected populations, necessitating a multifaceted approach by professionals like psychologists and social workers, as well as the crucial support role of families and parents. The article delves into the unconventional roles these caregivers must adopt, especially when providing support in active combat zones.
The stages of intervention for these victims are meticulously outlined, emphasizing the provision of practical tools for therapists and other professionals who are in direct contact with victims, be it in combat or civilian settings. This includes addressing the needs of those accompanying victims right after a terrorist event and in the subsequent stages.
Further, the article addresses the shared traumatic experiences of therapists and patients, the complexities of post-trauma adaptation in therapy, and the specific demands on professionals treating both combatants and civilians during terrorist attacks. Timing of treatment and how combatants and civilians respond within the treatment space are also key issues explored.
This insightful piece serves as a critical guide for understanding and effectively addressing the needs of those impacted by terrorism in war-torn areas.
The Evolution of Therapists: Transitioning to Combat Supporters – Treating Victims of Terrorism. (2023). Panoply Journal, 4, 29-50. https://www.ciris.info/panoply/index.php/journal/article/view/37
Navigating the Complex Web of Disinformation in the Age of Advanced Technology
This insightful article delves into the intricate relationship between technological advancements and the challenges they pose in ensuring accurate reporting and information literacy. As alternative media platforms become more complex and creative, they also present opportunities for the dissemination of ideologies and agendas that may not align with fact-based information. A significant focus of the article is on how these platforms, while widely used and trusted, can be strategically employed to push specific narratives.
A key example discussed is RT (Russia Today), a state-owned social media network based in Moscow. RT, with its substantial reach including 4 million YouTube subscribers and 375,000 Twitter followers for RT America, has embedded itself in various English-language markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as in France, Spain, and Arabic-speaking regions. Interestingly, RT is also widely accessible on devices like Roku TVs and other smart TVs globally.
The article sheds light on Russia’s long history of expertly crafted disinformation campaigns, tracing back to the Soviet era. One notable instance was Operation Infektion in the early 1980s, where propaganda was spread claiming the U.S. created HIV/AIDS. This history of disinformation has evolved into sophisticated social media campaigns aimed at creating a proxy war of words and undermining the credibility of media, particularly the internet, as a reliable source of information.
John White from the Institute for European Studies is quoted, explaining Russia’s objective of sowing doubt about the reliability of the internet as a source of information, a concept referred to as “internet pollution.” This strategy, carried out by a specific department in the FSB (formerly the KGB), aims to make the global audience perceive the internet as a chaotic and unreliable information source.
The article also touches upon the psychological aspects of disinformation campaigns, where the tendency of audiences to believe initial information is exploited to subtly introduce alternative agendas. This comprehensive piece serves as a critical reminder of the importance of questioning and verifying information in an era where technology has made the spread of disinformation easier and more impactful than ever before.
Russia and Disinformation: Origins of Deception. (2020). Panoply Journal, 1, 13-17. https://www.ciris.info/panoply/index.php/journal/article/view/40
Panoply Journal 2024
At the beginning of 2024 we will open a new call for papers for the journal. With some additional changes, we hope to streamline our peer-review further and we invite you to spread the word. When you signup for our newsletter via our frontpage you will also receive a notification when we open the new call.
