Renaissance and Reticence in India’s North-South Connectivity Platform The distraction of Chabahar’s questionable economic rationale and the embellishment of a centuries-old fascination with Suez alternatives, whilst entirely logical from a Muscovite perspective, must cede priority to New Delhi’s immediate interests in its own strategic backyard Philip Reid November 30, 2018 IDSA Comments
Another Capitulation and another Win for the TLYP in Pakistan The challenge that the TLYP poses to Pakistan’s internal stability is even more dangerous than the threat of terrorism. Yaqoob-ul-Hassan November 22, 2018 IDSA Comments
Bhutan National Assembly Elections 2018: A Mandate for Change? Voters in Bhutan have shown their political maturity by bringing in a new government, which is an indicator of growing awareness about their rights and their role in holding governments to account. Nihar R. Nayak , Rajrajeshwari Singh , Ashok K. Behuria November 12, 2018 Issue Brief
75 Years Later, Are Lessons From the Bari Incident Still Relevant? While planning and executing kinetic operations, it is essential to look at various facets of force application including the possibilities of accidents or surprise attacks by the adversary. Kishore Kumar Khera November 08, 2018 Issue Brief
Revisiting Aadhaar System: Post the Supreme Court Verdict One understands that long term benefits of Aadhaar actually outweighs many concerns. However, adequate norms need to be laid down from collection to retention of biometric data, in addition to formulating strong data protection and privacy laws. Kritika Roy November 02, 2018 IDSA Comments
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Stocking Oil for Rainy Days A strategic petroleum reserve offers India the leverage to be a serious player in the international oil market, as it will have the option to release supplies when prices spike and recharge the reserve when prices are low. Shebonti Ray Dadwal November 02, 2018 IDSA Comments
East of India, South of China: Sino-India Encounters in Southeast Asia With the rise of China and the rising tension between the China-South China Sea littoral states, the Southeast Asian region has emerged as a pivot of international politics. Changing US policy towards Southeast Asia in the wake of China’s rise and India’s initiatives to expand its footholds in the region have further mainstreamed the region. China has shown reluctance in accepting the involvement of an extra-regional power in South China Sea affairs. Therefore, it is likely that in the coming years, the region will witness extensive overt and covert competition between two rising powers. Vikash Chandra November 2018 Strategic Analysis
What is Russia up to in the Middle East? Russia’s military intervention in the Syrian civil war in 2015 is seen as a significant milestone in the geopolitics of the Middle East. By establishing stakes on the ground, the Kremlin, which had been virtually absent from the region since the breakup of the Soviet Union, has reinserted itself as a key actor in shaping the region’s strategic landscape. In doing so, it has also pulled itself back into the global geo-strategic consciousness. Rajorshi Roy November 2018 Strategic Analysis
Pakistan Army: Institution that Matters Described variously as a ‘garrison’ or ‘praetorian’ state’, Pakistan is the only country in South Asia that has been under military rule for almost three-quarters of its sovereign existence. Even after the restoration of civilian rule, the Pakistani military has continued to call shots on the key domestic and foreign policy issues. Aliva Mishra November 2018 Strategic Analysis
A life in diplomacy This is a candid, stimulating, and highly readable account of Ambassador Maharaja Krishna Rasgotra’s diplomatic life, and through it, also of the evolution of Indian foreign policy since 1947. The bonus for the reader is to have a balanced reflection on India’s diplomacy, peppered with pertinent narratives and observations about important events and personalities. Jayant Prasad November 2018 Strategic Analysis