General presentation

The Institute for Political Studies of Defence and Military History (IPSDMH) is a scientific research structure of the Ministry of National Defence, operating under the authority of the Department for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations.

It is accredited by the Ministry of Education and Research as an institution authorised to conduct scientific research.
The IPSDMH conducts scientific research in the fields of defence policy, security and military history, with the aim of promoting the history of the Romanian Armed Forces, military values and traditions, as well as preparing analyses, studies and expert assessments on current security and defence developments as part of the wider efforts to strengthen a security and defence culture.
These scientific research activities also enable participation in the exchange of ideas within the national and international scientific community, for the benefit of consolidating the role and prestige of the Armed Forces, advancing understanding of national military history and ensuring an active contribution to strengthening societal resilience.

Its tasks include, among others:

Conducting fundamental and applied research in the fields of security, defence and military history;
Contributing to the improvement of the professional training of military and civilian personnel within the Ministry of National Defence by capitalising on the results of scientific research in the fields of defence, security and military history;
Initiating and participating in domestic and international research projects in the fields of security, defence policy and military history;
Collaborating and cooperating in areas of common interest with institutions, universities, governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations in the country and abroad;
Organising scientific events on issues related to security, defence policy and military history;
Participating in scientific and scholarly publishing activities in Romania and abroad in order to promote the image of Romania, its historical values and its interests in the fields of security, defence policy and military history;
Developing international scientific cooperation, including through the conclusion of cooperation agreements, where appropriate, with research institutions in NATO member and partner states, materialised in joint research projects, international scientific events and the joint editing of academic works and periodicals;
Establishing scientific collaboration and cooperation, including by concluding protocols, where appropriate, with structures within the Ministry of National Defence, similar institutes, universities, non-governmental organisations and other bodies concerned with security, defence and military history;
Enhancing the prestige and role of the Armed Forces, promoting military traditions and capitalising on historical experience as part of the efforts to educate younger generations;
Disseminating and promoting, among relevant audiences, the values of national and international military history; recalling and critically evaluating the past; honouring the feats of arms of our forebears; acknowledging historical errors, all with the aim of identifying lessons learned from the campaigns and battles fought by the Romanian Army;
Cultivating respect for democratic values, promoting tolerance and understanding among ethnicities and nations, and developing civic spirit and awareness of moral duty;
Fostering dialogue and promoting scientific research as part of public diplomacy, enabling better use of knowledge regarding key issues of Romania’s national security and defence;
Providing leadership (at the presidential level) and the secretariat of the Romanian Military History Commission, as well as participating in the activities of the International Commission of Military History and in the editing of its publications;
Editing, publishing and disseminating scientific works, in cooperation with the Military Publishing House, the MoD’s Technical Editorial Centre or other publishing houses;
Editing the periodical publications: “Review of Military History”, “Strategic Monitor” and “Security Brief”;
Providing internships for students and master’s students enrolled in accredited higher education programmes.

Institute for Political Studies of Defence and Military History

General presentation

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