The Bangladesh Question and World Politics The gruesome events in East Bengal since March 25, 1971 and their repercussions on India easily constitute the most appalling experience of the society of nations since the end of the Second World War; and the refugee problem is the largest and the worst during the present century. It has few parallels in history. This is all the more shocking because of the context and background in which it happened. M. S. Rajan March 2020 Strategic Analysis
The Three Pillars of Radicalization: Needs, Narratives, and Networks Scholars from various academic disciplines have attempted to explain the nature and drivers of the 21st century sui generis phenomenon of radicalization. However, it is rare to find a single book which not only details and builds on the body of work in this still evolving field but also sheds fresh insight into the many unresolved issues that demand fresh perspectives and approaches. Adil Rasheed March 2020 Strategic Analysis
Pakistan: The Balochistan Conundrum It is not often that Pakistan is talked of in terms of the diversities it embodies. It is, perhaps, its descent into extremism and violence that has overshadowed every other characteristic of the country. Tilak Devasher peeks into this rather less traversed dimension and provides an analysis on the festering insurgency in Balochistan. The book provides a lucid account of Balochistan’s history, geography, and demography. Priyanka Singh March 2020 Strategic Analysis
Gambling with Violence: State Outsourcing of War in Pakistan and India Yelena Biberman offers a new framework for understanding why and how states ‘outsource’ war to local non-state actors despite the risks of forfeiting the state’s monopoly over violence. Specifically, she explores state and non-state alliances in counter-insurgencies in India and Pakistan. Taking a qualitative approach, Biberman argues that ‘state-nonstate alliances are balance-of-interests bargains’ wherein the ‘state seeking to shift the local balance of power in its favor may enlist activists if it can cultivate social or ideological ties with them’ Ryan Shaffer March 2020 Strategic Analysis
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Questions on Pakistan’s Economic Stability This article begins with a discussion on how the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed differently by different political parties as well as by the civilian and military establishments in Pakistan. The discussion then turns to Pakistan’s current economic conditions and examines whether CPEC has the potential to boost the Pakistan economy or contribute to the worsening of its economic conditions. This article also discusses how CPEC seeks to maintain a balance between geo-economic and geopolitics. Yaqoob-ul-Hassan March 2020 Strategic Analysis
Uzbekistan: The Key Pillar of India’s ‘Act North’ Engagement India has redefined its engagement with Eurasia in the last few years. It has sought to re-energize ties with its extended neighbourhood based on its historical linkages, positive and benign image, and overlapping security and economic interests. In this context, ties with Uzbekistan remain a key pillar of India’s Eurasian calculus. Tashkent’s strategic location at the crossroads of Central Asia and abundant natural resources form the fulcrum around which the security of Central Asia revolves. Meena Singh Roy , Rajorshi Roy March 2020 Strategic Analysis
From Energy Security to Energy Dominance: US’ Blending of Politics and Economics In the aftermath of the successful ‘America First’ or ‘Make America Great Again’ presidential election campaign, President Trump’s era inaugurated the realm of energy politics. It began with the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the lifting of the US export ban on crude oil. So far, it has been featured in setting aside President Obama’s climate change mitigation policy, which emphasized regulation, discouraged oil and gas development, and denounced the extensive exploitation of natural resources. Vasileios Balafas , Efstathios T. Fakiolas March 2020 Strategic Analysis
Defence Pension Reforms: Recommendations of the Past Committees and Commissions Reforming defence pension is no more an option but a compulsion considering its exponential growth in the past, which is likely to continue in the future if no reform is undertaken. Laxman Kumar Behera , Vinay Kaushal February 28, 2020 Special Feature
Iran’s Nuclear Quandary The European Union-3 and Iran are indeed up against formidable odds to keep the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) alive going forward. S. Samuel C. Rajiv February 21, 2020 IDSA Comments
Third Bodo Accord and Insurgency in Western Assam While the third Bodo accord is a momentous development in the history of the Bodo conflict, caution must be exercised to ensure that it does not fall victim to the factional politics that undermined previous accords. Alex Waterman February 19, 2020 Issue Brief
