National Defence University, Pakistan

About: National Defence University, Pakistan is a education organization based out in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Decision support system & Population. The organization has 802 authors who have published 816 publications receiving 3701 citations. The organization is also known as: National Defence University of Pakistan & National Defence University Islamabad.

On the Vulnerability and Reliability of Towns and Cities

Abstract: The almost uncountable infrastructural and other system elements make citizens’ life easier in post-modern societies. Normally these are all considered as obvious. Liveable urban places, their competitiveness and appreciation depends highly on the quality of the services available, such as the quality of public administration, finance system, energetic networks, economic capabilities, urban transportation systems, social entertainment, sport and recreation facilities and the like. The vulnerability of cities and their exposure to terrorist attacks arose after the 9/11 attacks. It give rise to many thoughts and associations if metropolises like New York, Washington DC, Tokyo, London, Paris, Madrid, Mumbai, New-Delhi, Bagdad, Istanbul, Athens are mentioned and since then, terrorism has become a frequent part of their obvious associations. How vulnerable the urban services can be that are now essential parts of their urban life? This study attempts to look beyond the terrorist threats of metropolises, cities and towns, and points out their defenceless exposures against their own infrastructural systems. Although an average city in Central-Europe has fortunately low risks from such points of view, other risk sources however, like accidents, natural disasters, and civilisation-based catastrophes are also retraceable. The authors attempt to find answers why urban studies in Central-Europe do not pay necessary attention to the city’s vulnerability analyses like their counterparts in the Western Countries do.

USA’s Pivot to Asia and China’s Global Rebalancing through BRI

Abstract: Since the announcement of “US pivot to Asia” and “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI), both remained a center of debate in international politics both regional and global, policy making, academia, news both print and electronic media. Many people including academic experts, researchers, have written about USA pivot to Asia and BRI initiative from different perspectives. This research paper as an attempt to bring the understanding of the complexity of networked relationships between the two major powers the US and China. Moreover, attempts have been made to explore the notion of BRI and AIIB that whether it will be prone or not towards the US “Pivot to Asia” policy especially in the vast Indo Pacific region. The paper contains the significance of the Indo-Pacific region and illustrates that how the region has been using as a center for great power politics. Why the US maximize its sphere of influence and how China respond into the US interplay?

The Role of Antioxidants in Attenuating Heated Oil-Induced Cardiovascular Effects: A Review

Abstract: Repeatedly heated cooking oil was reported to have potential detrimental effect on health. Studies have shown that repeatedly heated cooking oil undergoes thermal oxidation which generates reactive oxygen species that contributes to the occurrence of vascular inflammation and dysfunction. These vascular changes lead to multiple health problems such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, as well as kidneys and liver abnormality. Apart from the reactive oxygen species, such abnormality might be due to the reduction of natural antioxidants in the oil with repeated heating. Therefore, there is an inherent need to further explore the individual antioxidants which exert cardiovascular protective effects, particularly via its effects on blood pressure, blood lipid profiles as well as cardiovascular structures. Therefore, this review was undertaken to ascertain if the detrimental effects of heated oil can be reduced by the administration of antioxidants, particularly polyphenols which are the main focus of this article.

Iranian nuclear deal: challenges for regional and global strategic management

Abstract: Reza Shah Pahlavi laid the foundations of the Iranian nuclear quest in the 1950s by getting nuclear assistance under reciprocal arrangements in the US-sponsored Atom for Peace program. Iran is a signatory of the NonProliferation Treaty (NPT) since 1970, and by their perspective, all protocols under NPT have fully complied. The 1979 revolution in Iran proved a watershed in relations with the USA due to the hostage crisis and increased hostility, which resulted in economic sanctions and isolation. However, Iran covertly pursued its nuclear program, which remained the subject of international debate until the nuclear deal of 2015 aimed at limiting Irans nuclear capability for the lifting of sanctions and breaking isolation. On 16 January 2016, in response to Irans compliance with the provisions of the nuclear deal, all nuclear-related sanctions were lifted. President Trump since taking over office has repeatedly criticized the agreement and decertified it unilaterally. This article analyses implications on regional and global strategic management.

Diversity in Teams: Perceptions of Team Learning Behaviour in a Military Staff Exercise

Abstract: The aim of this study is to analyse diversity in team learning behaviour between and among national respondents’ perceptions during a military staff exercise (CJSE). Edmondson’s team learning behaviour model is used as the theoretical basis of the study. The results showed statistically significant differences both between and among national respondents’ perceptions. The research results indicate that team leader coaching, team psychological safety, the importance of obtaining expert knowledge as well as pre-exercise training are perceived to be crucial for team learning behaviour. The study has theoretical and practical implications for a more nuanced understanding of the diversity of team learning behaviour in the context of a multinational military teamwork exercise and for working as a part of multinational temporal teams in particular.