Cuadernos de Difusión

Social engineering and its implications in military operations: an analysis from the perspective of military cybersecurity

Carlos Bustamante Quintero — 2025-04-29

Social engineering (SE) is a latent threat to military operations, focusing on exploiting human vulnerabilities to access sensitive information or disrupt systems. Unlike technical attacks, SE manipulates human behavior, making it difficult to counter. The consequences of these attacks can be devastating, compromising the security and operational capabilities of the armed forces. To mitigate the risks posed by being attacked through SE, a comprehensive approach is required that combines continuous training of personnel, implementation of advanced security technologies, and the creation of dynamic security policies. Only through awareness, preparedness, and constant adaptation will the armed forces be able to strengthen their cybersecurity and protect their critical systems against SE threats.

Autonomous war: the beginning of the end

Claudio Herrera Sapunar — 2025-04-29

The article explores how the evolution of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS) has transformed modern warfare, comparing the dystopian fiction of Terminator (1984) and its respective sequels with current technological advances. Through recent examples in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, the impact of autonomous drones and software on the battlefield is analyzed. These developments present serious military advantages but also highlight ethical and legal concerns regarding the dehumanization of war and the autonomy of machines to make lethal decisions. The article concludes that the international community must act to regulate these technologies and preserve fundamental ethical principles in armed conflicts.

The importance of anticipated logistical support in the success of peace operations

Esteban Vásquez Muslow — 2025-04-29

The article discusses the importance of anticipated logistical support for the success of peace operations, especially in contexts where the host country's infrastructure has been severely damaged. It is argued that proactive logistics planning is essential to ensure an effective response to emergencies faced by the forces deployed by the UN. Through a review of best practices, it highlights how well-structured logistics optimize the use of resources and strengthen the capacity of peace missions to fulfill their mandate, thus contributing to creating a secure environment and facilitating operational effectiveness and thus promoting a stable and safe environment in conflict situations.

Strategic Mobility: The Role of the Railway in Military Logistics

Sergio Villaseca Zanzi — 2025-04-29

Railways have long played a fundamental role in strategic military mobility by facilitating the efficient and rapid transport of troops and supplies over long distances. Since their appearance in the 19th century, they have enabled mass mobilization in major conflicts such as the First and Second World Wars, being a key means of deployment and supply. Today, their importance is revitalized in the conflict in Ukraine, where both Russia and Ukraine rely on railway networks to sustain their logistical operations. The modernization of this infrastructure is essential to ensure a rapid response in crisis scenarios, highlighting the strategic value of railways in national defense and in international alliances such as NATO.