DASSO
Recent publications
Winter 2025
Welcome
The editorial board welcomes you to Missouri State University's electronic journal
Defense and Strategic Studies Online (DASSO).
In the inaugural issue from Fall 2024, the Board offers an introduction to MSU's Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) program and to its flagship publication.
Please enjoy our latest issue and archives below.
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2
In the inaugural issue from Fall 2024, the Board offers an introduction to MSU's Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) program and to its flagship publication.
Please enjoy our latest issue and archives below.
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2
Vol. 1, No. 2
A Minimum Package of Rights
Rebutting Sino-Russian Political Discourse and Getting Rights Right
Dr. Christopher Ford and Lord Nigel Biggar critique Russian and Chinese narratives villifying Western democracy and claiming that mantle for those countries' own brutal dictatorships. In their place, Ford and Biggar advance a "minimum package of rights" concept that upholds humans fundamental autonomy to constitute and govern themselves in society.
Dr. Christopher Ford and Lord Nigel Biggar critique Russian and Chinese narratives villifying Western democracy and claiming that mantle for those countries' own brutal dictatorships. In their place, Ford and Biggar advance a "minimum package of rights" concept that upholds humans fundamental autonomy to constitute and govern themselves in society.
Vol. 1, No. 2
Strategic Culture of the IRGC
The Strategic Culture of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
Morteza Safari offers an account of the strategic culture of the Iranian revolutionary regime's praetorian guard, exploring that organization's sense of self-identity, values, and norms, as well as the lens through which it interprets the world.
Morteza Safari offers an account of the strategic culture of the Iranian revolutionary regime's praetorian guard, exploring that organization's sense of self-identity, values, and norms, as well as the lens through which it interprets the world.
Vol. 1, No. 2
The Iranian nuclear crisis
Snapping Back and Looking Forward: A New Old Approach to the Iran Nuclear Crisis
Dr. Christopher Ford provides a history of the Iranian nuclear crisis, and argues for the prompt invocation of U.N. Security Council sanctions "snapback" — before that authority expires in October 2025 — to incentivize Iran to negotiate enduring limits on its nuclear capabilities.
Dr. Christopher Ford provides a history of the Iranian nuclear crisis, and argues for the prompt invocation of U.N. Security Council sanctions "snapback" — before that authority expires in October 2025 — to incentivize Iran to negotiate enduring limits on its nuclear capabilities.
Vol. 1, No. 2
Book Review
A Republic, If You Can Keep It: A Review of Barbara Walter's "How Civil Wars Start"
Michael Brown reviews Barbara Walter's book "How Civil Wars Start," comparing her case studies to a populist insurrection in North Carolina in the late 19th Century.
Michael Brown reviews Barbara Walter's book "How Civil Wars Start," comparing her case studies to a populist insurrection in North Carolina in the late 19th Century.
Join the discussion and share your views
Are you a member or friend of the Missouri State University community with an interest in defense and strategic studies and who has something thoughtful to contribute to public discourse on such topics in this essay format?
Contact DASSO’s Editorial Board at DASSO@MissouriState.edu.
Archives
Access more papers and essays from DSS faculty, students, and guest authors.