Journal of Strategic Security

Journal of Strategic Security is a peer-reviewed academic journal focusing on strategic studies, security policy, intelligence analysis, and homeland defense. The journal publishes research articles, review essays, and case studies addressing threats, resilience, and policy responses across national, regional, and transnational contexts. It serves scholars and practitioners engaged with strategy formulation, crisis management, and force posture in contemporary geopolitical environments.

History

The journal was established in 2008 amid debates following the September 11 attacks, the Iraq War, and the expansion of counterterrorism frameworks in the War on Terror. Its founding coincided with shifts in doctrine influenced by events such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the 2004 Madrid train bombings, and the 2005 London bombings, and with institutional reforms exemplified by the creation of the United States Department of Homeland Security and changes in the National Security Council (United States). Early editorial priorities reflected scholarship associated with scholars and institutions linked to the RAND Corporation, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Brookings Institution, and engaged debates sparked by publications like The Clash of Civilizations and the 9/11 Commission Report. Over time the journal adapted to strategic concerns arising from the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation (2014), the Syrian Civil War, and strategic competition involving the People's Republic of China and the Federation of Russia, while reflecting developments in doctrines related to the NATO and regional arrangements such as the African Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Scope and Topics

The journal covers a range of topics including intelligence and analysis related to events like the Boston Marathon bombing (2013), cyber strategy issues raised by incidents such as the Stuxnet operation, and maritime security challenges exemplified by encounters in the South China Sea dispute. It publishes work on counterinsurgency operations drawing on cases from the Helmand Province campaign, counterterrorism policy after attacks such as the Charlie Hebdo shooting, and stabilization efforts following conflicts like the Iraqi insurgency (2011–2017). Contributions examine alliance behavior in contexts from the Treaty of Lisbon era of the European Union to NATO responses to crises such as the Russo-Ukrainian War (2014–present), as well as legal and ethical debates shaped by instruments like the Geneva Conventions and rulings from the International Court of Justice. The scope spans technological dimensions—signals intelligence linked to the Edward Snowden disclosures, space security concerns after missions by Roscosmos and NASA, and arms control issues related to agreements such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Editorial and Publication Details

The journal has employed double-blind peer review common among outlets associated with universities and think tanks such as Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University. Editorial boards have included scholars and practitioners affiliated with institutions like the University of Oxford, the Georgetown University, the Royal United Services Institute, and the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The publication schedule is quarterly and has featured special issues on themes comparable to conferences hosted by organizations such as the Munich Security Conference and the Aspen Institute. Contributors have included academics who published in venues like Foreign Affairs, analysts from the Central Intelligence Agency, retired officers from the United States Army, and advisors with ties to the Pentagon and the Department of Defense (United States).

Abstracting and Indexing

The journal is abstracted and indexed in databases and services that also list titles such as International Security (journal), Journal of Conflict Resolution, and Survival (journal). These indexing platforms include academic aggregators used by libraries at institutions such as the Library of Congress, the British Library, and university systems like the University of California network. Abstracting services that cover related literature alongside publications from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Council on Foreign Relations increase discoverability for readers researching post-9/11 policy, cyber incidents like the Sony Pictures hack, and strategic doctrines articulated in documents such as the US National Security Strategy.

Reception and Impact

Scholars and practitioners have cited the journal in analyses addressing episodes such as the Arab Spring, policy responses to the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa (2014–2016), and debates over strategy after the Afghanistan troop surge (2009). Reviews in venues aligned with the American Political Science Association and citation metrics used by libraries at institutions including Columbia University and Stanford University reflect engagement from researchers studying intelligence, counterterrorism, and regional security. The journal's impact is visible in curricula at schools like the Naval War College, incorporation into policy briefings at agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (United States), and references in reports by multilateral bodies like the United Nations Security Council.

Category:Security studies journals