This issue features articles on UN peacekeeping operations; the Japanese Self-Defense Forces since their reorganisation in 2007; and the emerging Indian Ocean maritime security architecture under the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. Also included are a commentary on the latest Japanese Defence White Paper and four book reviews.

Contents

Editorial

Focus

• United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Causes for Failure and Continuing Relevance

  — A.K. Bardalai

• Emerging Contours of Maritime Security Architecture under the Belt and Road Initiative

  — Abhay Kumar Singh

• Japan’s Self-Defense Forces: A Decade after Reorganisation

  — Kishore Kumar Khera

Commentary

• Defending Japan: Reviewing the 2018 White Paper

  — Titli Basu

Book Reviews

• The People Next Door: The Curious History of India’s Relations with Pakistan, by T.C.A. Raghavan

  — Ghanshyam Katoch

• Approach to Battle: Training the Indian Army during the Second World War, by Alan Jeffreys

  — Alok Deb

• How India Sees the World: Kautilya to the 21st Century,  by Shyam Saran

  — Shrabana Barua

• The Soul of Armies: Counterinsurgency Doctrine and Military Culture in the US and UK, by Austin Long

  — Vivek Mishra