Saurabh Mishra

Fundamentalism: Prophecy and Protest in the Age of Globalisation by Torkel Brekke

The book is based on the premise that ‘fundamentalism’ that gives an impression of antiquity is a modern phenomenon and ‘relatively a recent thing’ (p. 17). It explains fundamentalism as a powerful reaction against modernity that has brought unprecedented linear transformations in the economic, political, scientific and educational spheres undermining the influence of tradition and religion over the past couple of centuries. Fundamentalism is an endeavour to reverse the ‘negative side’ of modernity

India’s Two Years at the Horse-Shoe Table

Though its goal of securing a permanent seat in the Council during the 2011-12 term was ambitious, the efforts that it put in over the last two years were steered in that direction and have yielded favourable results.

The Peacemakers: India and the Quest for One World by Manu Bhagavan

There have been several accounts of India's engagement with the United Nations but this book focuses particularly on the idea of One World, something greater than the UN. The need for a potent peace constituency amidst the increasing number of conflict zones with transnational and global impacts bolsters the rationale for an efficient global governing body, One World reified. The book has six chapters with a short prologue and epilogue. Manu Bhagavan presents a fine historical account of India's efforts for One World.

The End of the Somali ‘Transition’ and the Challenges Ahead

There is a collective international effort to bring about stability, but its history with its neighbours and divisions within may haunt Somalia's future.

Saurabh Mishra |
December 2012 |
Africa Trends

Somalia

Area1
Total 637,657 sq km

Population2
10,085,638 (July 2012 estimate)

Syrian Turmoil: A Test for the US Position

The absence of a credible secular substitute for Assad, a divided opposition, and deadlock in the Security Council, are all acting as stumbling blocks for the US wish to unseat Assad from power.

Saurabh Mishra |
May 23, 2012 |
IDSA Comments

India amidst Increased Activity in the Security Council: A Few Observations

Article 1 of the United Nations Charter declares the maintenance of international peace and security to be the primary function of the United Nations. This makes the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) the most important organ of the whole establishment. All other functions and engagements of the United Nations are in support of the primary cause.

Simonovic, Slobodan P., Systems Approach to Management of Disasters: Methods and Applications

Bruce Riedel, Deadly Embrace: Pakistan, America and the Future of the Global Jihad

This book was important when Osama bin Laden was alive and a seemingly never ending hunt was on for him. But, now, in the backdrop of his death due to an extraordinary Commando Operation in the heart of the Pakistani territory by the US navy seals and the United States having announced a withdrawal from Afghanistan by 2014, it helps to understand, the dynamics of the US-Pakistan relationship which is metaphorically a “Deadly Embrace” as the title of the book suggests.

Why Syria is Not Libya?

After the death of Gaddafi one may wonder why Syria has had a safe escape from any action by the UN Security Council. There are several reasons why the response to Syria has been different from the Libyan case.