Comments & Briefs

Is BRICS Plus Evolving Into a Quasi-Security Community?

The ‘Will for Peace’ naval exercises demonstrated China’s capacity to convene diverse members around a shared security agenda.

February 19, 2026

Abhishek Mishra

IDSA Comments

Xi Jinping, the Chinese Military and the Struggle for Power

With the dismissal of five members of the Central Military Commission, the core decision-making body consists only of Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin.

February 19, 2026

Abhishek Kumar Darbey

Issue Brief

The Dokdo/Takeshima Islands: A Flashpoint of ‘Competitive Nationalisms’?

Heightened activity around Dokdo/Takeshima by the ROK could generate a ‘clash of nationalisms’ with Japan and endanger delicate bilateral relations.

February 19, 2026

Arnab Dasgupta

Issue Brief

Power without Majority: Nepal 2026

Given the leadership rivalries and organisational weaknesses, no single party is expected to secure a majority in the March 2026 elections.

February 18, 2026

Nihar R. Nayak

IDSA Comments

The Gulf Regional Stability under Strain

The rapidly evolving political and security dynamics in the Gulf are likely to have significant repercussions for broader strategic stability.

February 18, 2026

Prasanta Kumar Pradhan

Issue Brief

Contextualising Xi Jinping’s New Year Addresses

Issues concerning economic and technological modernisation, party discipline and geopolitical manoeuvring were central to President Xi Jinping’s New Year's address.

February 18, 2026

Mayuri Banerjee

Issue Brief

Balochistan’s Escalating Insurgency: A Strained Security Landscape

The Baloch question and the ongoing conflict represent the limits of coercive state measures and strategic containment in confronting a festering internal political challenge.

February 18, 2026

Saman Ayesha Kidwai

IDSA Comments

SHANTI Act and India’s Nuclear Energy Governance Framework

The SHANTI Act establishes a unified legal framework designed to address India’s contemporary and future energy requirements.

February 17, 2026

Niranjan Chandrashekhar Oak , Bhawna Budhwar

Issue Brief

म्यांमार चुनाव 2026: संवैधानिक बहाली या सैन्य वर्चस्व का नया अध्याय?

गृहयुद्ध के बीच हुए म्यांमार चुनाव के बाद भी पुराने सवाल जस के तस बने हुए हैं।

February 17, 2026

Om Prakash Das

Issue Brief

India’s BRICS Presidency: Challenges and Opportunities

India’s success as the 2026 BRICS Chair will depend on its ability to keep the group focused on functional cooperation, including health, climate finance and multilateral reform.

February 16, 2026

Ashok Sajjanhar

Issue Brief