North America & Strategic Technologies

About Centre

The Centre focuses on issues related to strategic technologies that have a potential impact on national security. Its main focus is on critical technologies and space technologies. The Centre is engaged in tracking and trend analysis of issues related to Space Security and Cyber Security. The other mandate of the Centre is to undertake research on Biological and Chemical Weapons with a focus on studying the dangers of proliferation and terrorism. The Centre is responsible for the publication of the CBW Magazine – a bi-annual magazine which covers a wide range of issues related to Chemical and Biological Weapons.

India Launches Radar Satellite

ISRO has done its job and now the onus lies on other agencies to make appropriate and timely use of the inputs that will be provided by RISAT-1.

Ajey Lele
April 27, 2012
IDSA Comments

Agni V Launches India into the ‘Strat’-o-sphere

The Agni-V launch is a significant milestone for the Indian scientific community as this is the first missile with a strike-range covering major Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

Abhijit Singh
April 23, 2012
IDSA Comments

North Korea’s Rocket Fails

Without getting into any a debate about whether the satellite launch was actually a missile test or not, the US should make an offer to help North Korea launch a satellite in order to foster sustained engagement with Pyongyang

Ajey Lele
April 16, 2012
IDSA Comments

Emerging Trends in Cyber Security

The absence of agreed norms of conduct in cyberspace and the scope for conducting a myriad range of malafide activities with limited risk of retribution is leading to both vertical and horizontal proliferation of such activities.

Cherian Samuel
March 28, 2012
IDSA Comments

Lessons from 2011: The New Media Revolution is a Strategic Asset

What was new in 2011 was the idea of a new media revolution: the convergence of various forms of media—television, social, and online networks which, when combined together, became a powerful weapon in the hands of the common man.

Shruti Pandalai
January 13, 2012
Issue Brief

China’s 2011 White Paper on Space: An Indian Perspective

Instead of decrying the edge China has achieved over India, it is important to critically evaluate the actual benefits that accrue from manned space flights and the Space Station.

Ajey Lele , Gunjan Singh
January 12, 2012
IDSA Comments

The Ghost of Chemical Weapons in the Arab Spring

Presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei tweeted that ‘Tear gas with nerve agent has been used against the Tahrir Square demonstrators’. This raises the suspicion of use of chemical weapons in the ongoing struggle for democracy in West Asia. This commentary analyses the relevance of chemical weapons in the Arab Spring.

Ajey Lele
November 29, 2011
IDSA Comments

The PSLV-C18 Mission and Indo-French Collaboration in Space

India and France must now develop a joint marketing strategy for satellite launches and also concentrate on the joint design and development of satellites for smaller developing countries.

Ajey Lele
October 14, 2011
IDSA Comments

DRDO Scientists as Heterogeneous Engineers: A Response to Vipin Narang

To say that DRDO scientists have no right to think or pass judgements over strategic doctrines may be correct in terms of policy requirements but is certainly not rich academically.