Main Postulates of the Total Defense Concept: Georgia's Military Defense and International Cooperation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/splogos.2025.03.16Keywords:
Total defense, national security, hybrid threats, international cooperation, state resilienceAbstract
The concept of total defense is one of the key pillars of Georgia’s national security policy, integrating military, political, economic, technological, and civil resources to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Georgia’s geopolitical location and the occupation of 20% of its territory create a complex security environment, where hybrid threats, disinformation, and cyberattacks necessitate the development of a comprehensive defense model. Total defense is viewed as a holistic system that unites military and civilian domains, public institutions, and the private sector, civic awareness, and informational resilience within a unified security framework. Security is no longer defined solely by military capability but also by societal preparedness, the ability to respond rapidly to crises, and resilience grounded in national unity. The theoretical framework of the research is based on a complex security model that combines mechanisms for responding to both traditional and hybrid threats.
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