Editorial: The evolution of homeland and civil security policies around the world: values and resilience

Editorial on the Research Topic
The evolution of homeland and civil security policies around the world: values and resilience

In the context of an increasingly intricate global security landscape, the evolution of homeland and civil security policies reflects not only the shifting contours of geopolitical power but also the normative frameworks and adaptive capacities of societies confronting a spectrum of traditional and non-traditional threats. This thematic Research Topic presents four analytically distinct yet conceptually interrelated studies that interrogate the ways in which security is imagined, operationalized, and contested across diverse domains—from diaspora engagement and civic virtue to strategic statecraft and the environmental consequences of modern warfare.

Chauhdry's contribution, “Transnational Economic Development: Pakistani and Indian Diaspora in Focus,” offers a comparative analysis of diaspora communities as agents of economic resilience and soft power. The study delineates the divergent trajectories of the Indian and Pakistani diasporas, highlighting the Indian diaspora's institutional cohesion and strategic influence in global arenas, contrasted with the Pakistani diaspora's economic contributions amid political fragmentation. Chauhdry's work underscores the imperative for coherent diaspora engagement policies, situating homeland security within a broader framework of economic interdependence and transnational connectivity.

In “Unraveling the Personality Traits of Civil Heroes in Great Disaster: A Qualitative Study,” Hu and Ou examine the psychological and ethical dimensions of civil heroism during the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 50 individuals, the authors identify five salient traits—patriotism, independence, perseverance, selflessness, and innovation—that characterize civic actors in moments of acute crisis. This study advances the discourse on civil security by foregrounding the role of individual agency and moral commitment, thereby challenging state-centric paradigms and emphasizing the sociocultural foundations of resilience.

Jorge Trujillo's article, “Russia's Foreign and Security Policy in Syria,” provides a macro-level examination of Russia's strategic calculus through the lens of a “security matrix” that integrates military, economic, ideological, and diplomatic instruments. The analysis situates Russia's intervention in Syria within a longue durée perspective, linking contemporary actions to Cold War legacies and the pursuit of multipolarity. By framing its engagement as a defense of sovereignty and a counterterrorism imperative, Russia contests liberal internationalist norms and reconfigures the global discourse on legitimacy and intervention. Jorge Trujillo's work offers critical insights into the interplay between national identity, strategic narrative, and foreign policy behavior in conflict zones.

The final contribution, “A Bibliometric Analysis of the Research on ‘Depleted Uranium Munitions”' by Eslami and Fernandes, bridges environmental security and international policy analysis. Through a systematic review of 129 publications spanning four decades, the authors reveal a disciplinary gap: while the scientific literature robustly documents the health and ecological impacts of depleted uranium (DU) munitions, political science and security studies have largely neglected the issue. The article calls for interdisciplinary engagement and policy innovation, particularly in light of the renewed deployment of DU weapons in contemporary conflicts such as Ukraine. It underscores the urgency of international regulatory mechanisms and the role of multilateral institutions in addressing the long-term risks posed by toxic military technologies.

Collectively, these contributions offer a multidimensional perspective on the evolving architecture of homeland and civil security. They demonstrate that security is no longer reducible to military preparedness or border enforcement; rather, it is increasingly shaped by diasporic agency, civic engagement, environmental accountability, and strategic discourse. This reconceptualization of resilience—as the capacity not only to absorb shocks but to adapt, innovate, and uphold core societal values—marks a significant shift in both theory and practice.

Moreover, the case studies presented here affirm the necessity of context-sensitive approaches to security governance. Whether through the mobilization of transnational communities, the valorization of civic virtue, the projection of state power, or the regulation of hazardous technologies, each contribution illustrates that security policies are deeply embedded in cultural, historical, and political matrices. Effective governance, therefore, demands not only technical proficiency but also a nuanced understanding of collective identities, normative commitments, and the ethical imperatives that animate human behavior.

In sum, this Research Topic advances our understanding of the complex and evolving terrain of homeland and civil security. It challenges conventional paradigms and invites scholars and practitioners alike to engage with a broader array of actors—diasporas, citizens, states, and international institutions—in shaping a security agenda that is inclusive, adaptive, and grounded in the lived realities of communities across the globe.

Author contributions

CA: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.

Conflict of interest

The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Generative AI statement

The author(s) declare that no Gen AI was used in the creation of this manuscript.

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