New Internet Protocol: Redesigning the Internet with Chinese Characteristics? China’s proposal for a new Internet Protocol (IP) is a reflection of its desire to revamp and mould the Internet. This is in line with its ambitions to rise to the “commanding heights” of the scientific and technological competition. Munish Sharma October 15, 2020 IDSA Comments
Learning from Russia: Comparing Russian and Chinese Military Reforms Understanding the Chinese Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) has been a challenge for military thinkers and planners due to opacity and secrecy within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). This article delves into the traditional relationship between the erstwhile Soviet (now Russian) and Chinese militaries and draw parallels between the two RMA. It argues that in many ways the Chinese RMA has followed the Russian RMA, which was driven by the latter’s experiences in modern wars in Georgia, Ukraine, Crimea, and Syria. The article concludes that the PLA has suitably modified the Russian military doctrines, reorganisation and restructuring as well as the induction of military equipment to suit the threats and challenges that confront it. Military thinkers and planners would do well to study the Russian RMA to extrapolate the future trajectory of the changes that are underway in the PLA. Mandip Singh October-December 2020 Journal of Defence Studies
FATF: In Need of Darker Shades of Grey The three list categorisation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)—white, grey, and black—has been largely ineffective when dealing with jurisdictions like Pakistan. There need to be more gradations between the grey and blacklists as it may increase policy options and leverage. Pradeep Singh Gautam October 12, 2020 Issue Brief
India’s China Challenge by Ananth Krishnan Ananth Krishan’s book, India’s China Challenge, is a notable examination of the challenge posed to India by the meteoric rise of China. Krishnan’s stay in China as a journalist for India Today and The Hindu, from 2008 to August 2018, and his knowledge of the Mandarin language have greatly enriched the depth of his examination of the subject. During his stay in China, he travelled to all but three of the country’s 33 provinces and regions, the China–India border in Tibet and Xinjiang, and the trading markets and factories of Guangdong. Himadri Bose October-December 2020 Journal of Defence Studies
Nuclear Attack Submarines: The Elixir for a True Blue-Water Navy India’s tryst with its destiny for the twenty-first century will greatly depend upon how it prioritises its strategic necessities in the face of current Covid-19-induced economic crisis. While still on course to be the third largest world economy by 2050, India will need to ensure it has the essential tools—economic, military and diplomatic—by then to provide the necessary leverage as a great world power. Great thinkers have stressed and history has shown that maritime power is one such leverage. Roby Thomas October-December 2020 Journal of Defence Studies
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR): Assessment of the Pakistan Military’s Discreet Propaganda Factory Post-1990 The ISPR was founded in 1949 as the public relations wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces. However, its role, responsibilities and activities have expanded notably over the last three decades. This article evaluates the role of the ISPR in cyber propaganda via print and electronic media after 1990s. It also sheds light on the ISPR’s youth-internship scheme and its plausible role in digital espionage. The main arguments in this article are derived from information available on official websites of Pakistan military, their local newspapers, and relevant social media platforms. Divya Malhotra October-December 2020 Journal of Defence Studies
Time IAF Upgraded its Largest Combat Fleet While Rafale’s enhanced combat capabilities has added punch to India’s airpower, the developing threat scenario in India’s neighbourhood lends urgency to upgrading the IAF’s largest combat fleet, the Sukhoi fighters, to retain edge over the enemy. Anurag Sharma September 30, 2020 IDSA Comments
The Imperatives of Ordnance Factory Corporatisation Poor workmanship, deteriorating quality issues, and lack of professionalism have plagued the workings of the Ordnance Factories. There is an imperative need for modernising the workings of the OFs through corporatisation. Akhelesh Bhargava September 30, 2020 IDSA Comments
NPT@50: How India Framed its Decision to Reject the Treaty India’s decision to reject the NPT was a display of astute statecraft with idealist posturing used to masquerade pursuit of national interests. A. Vinod Kumar September 25, 2020 Issue Brief
The China-India-US Triangle: Changing Balance of Power and a New Cold War China is no longer interested in maintaining previous patterns of its relationships with India and US. It seeks to forge new types of relationships that are reflective of the extant balance of power. China expects India to demonstrate awed subservience and refrain from security cooperation with US. S. Kalyanaraman September 21, 2020 IDSA Comments
