Comment & Briefs

Where is Ukraine headed to?

It is unlikely that Russia has serious plans to invade Ukraine and there is no reason to believe that EU or even US really wants a war. Yet, US, and perhaps Russia too, are prepared to play brinkmanship and it is not beyond the realm of possibility that there can be a war that nobody wanted.

April 23, 2014

  • K. P. Fabian
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    China’s 2014 Defence Budget: An Assessment

    Following on Xi Jinping vision of ‘fight war, win war’, the Chinese military spending is shifting towards higher technology weapons and equipment and training and also illustrates its aim to institute reforms related to troop’s operational commands, organisation and training.

    April 21, 2014

  • M.S. Prathibha
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    For Now, it is Ballot over Bullet in Afghanistan

    It is not merely about change in leadership; it is about ushering the country into a ‘decade of transformation’. The most immediate challenge before the incumbent government and the relevant election and security institutions is to sustain and strengthen the people’s engagement in the process.

    April 18, 2014

  • Vishal Chandra
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    India’s abstention in the vote against Sri Lanka at Geneva: Likely Implications

    Despite its abstention, India will continue to be evaluated negatively in Sri Lanka for its approach to the Tamil issue. Moreover, Colombo is also taking steps which may unnecessarily complicate bilateral relations.

    April 16, 2014

  • Smruti S. Pattanaik
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    Venezuela’s Political Chaos: Flailing President and Strong Generals

    The country is witnessing protests which are the biggest in over a decade and will only worsen unless a political accommodation is arrived at soon. The efficacy of multilateral institutions like the UNASUR, not subservient to US interests, is also on test.

    April 16, 2014

  • Gautam Sen
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    Ukraine: What next?

    Three meetings to discuss Ukraine are scheduled for the week beginning on Monday, April 14. The first meeting is of EU foreign ministers at Luxembourg on April 14. They are supposed to consider further sanctions on Russia. The next day the EU defence ministers are going to meet. The third meeting in Geneva on April 17 will bring together US, Russia, EU, and EU.

    April 13, 2014

  • K. P. Fabian
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    Implications of India`s Services Voters

    India has had a healthy tradition of the armed forces personnel being apolitical while being allowed to exercise their democratic right of voting in the electoral process. While the state police and central police and para-military units have been in the front tier of security network during the elections, the armed forces have discharged a crucial auxiliary-cum-supportive role.

    April 09, 2014

  • Gautam Sen
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    Southeast Asian democracy: New time and take

    Southeast Asian countries are facing challenging times. Push for further democratisation within the countries and the established regimes resistance to it has the possibility of jeopardising the region’s political stability and which may impede the movement towards a ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.

    April 07, 2014

  • Sampa Kundu
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    India getting closer to a satellite navigational system

    The uniqueness of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is to have a system with satellites in the geostationary orbit. India needs to exploit the ‘regional nature’ of the IRNSS to the fullest and effectively engage various states from Africa, Asia and Oceania region by using ‘satellite navigation diplomacy’.

    April 07, 2014

  • Ajey Lele
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    India needs nuanced approach post-UNHRC Vote on Sri Lanka

    It would appear that India accorded preponderance to the broader interests of national sovereignty before its final stand on the UNHRC resolution. But it also cannot be oblivious to the likelihood of parallels being drawn in the future by some countries inimical to India.

    April 04, 2014

  • Gautam Sen
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