Xi Jinping’s Control of the Chinese Army Since taking over power in 2012, the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s key initiative has been to make the Communist Party of China (CPC) relevant in the function of China’s political system. However, when Xi Jinping argues for a ‘unified and absolute leadership of the Party, it has become co-terminous with his absolute control of the Party. What does this centralisation of power signify? Given this context, it is imperative to question under whose control is the Chinese Army. That is, does CPC as an organisation hold absolute command over the PLA or it is Xi Jinping who controls it? Amrita Jash November 2018 Strategic Analysis
Economic Security: The Missing Link in India’s National Security Architecture A flurry of changes in India’s national security apparatus in the recent past have been the subject of public discussion. These include the constitution of a Defence Procurement Committee under the chairmanship of the National Security Advisor (NSA), the replacement of the Cabinet Secretary with the NSA as the head of India’s Strategic Policy Group (SPG), and the appointment of three new Deputy National Security Advisors (Dy. NSAs), and a Military Advisor (only the second such appointment in a period of four years). Further, the mandate of the Dy. Zubin Dash November 2018 Strategic Analysis
The Quest for Federalism in Myanmar The question of autonomy or self-determination in Myanmar goes back to the country’s pre-independence era. It is an important historical issue which unified and divided the country. The idea of forming a union government that would grant equal status to all citizens brought together different ethnic groups at the Panglong conference in 1947. However, the country’s conflicts remain and efforts are on to address the decades-old problems. One possible solution widely discussed is federalism. Nehginpao Kipgen November 2018 Strategic Analysis
Thucydides: Quoting and Misquoting The Peloponnesian war was fought from 431 to 401 BC between the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta and the Athenian Empire, known as the Delian League led by Pericles, the ruler of Athens. In the initial phase of the war, Thucydides (460–395 BC) was removed from command by the Athenian government after he failed as the commanding general to prevent a Spartan occupation of Amphipolis. He was exiled for 20 years. This came as a blessing in disguise for the scholar in him. The exiled general now had the scholarly atmosphere of solitude to write his book as the war was fought. P. K. Gautam November 2018 Strategic Analysis
Food Security in India: Evolution, Efforts and Problems This article examines India’s efforts to achieve food security. It traces the problem, from the inadequate production of food grains during colonial times, to the challenges of procurement, storage and distribution of cereals in post-independence India, after achieving self-sufficiency in food production. The establishment of the Public Distribution System (PDS) and its evolution into the Targeted PDS and the National Food Security Act are outlined. The role of the Food Corporation of India and the efforts to improve it, are discussed. D. Padma Kumar Pillay , T.K. Manoj Kumar November 2018 Strategic Analysis
Security Challenges and the Management of the India–Myanmar Border Being highly porous, poorly guarded and located along a remote, underdeveloped, insurgency-prone region and proximate to one of the world’s largest five opium producing areas, the India–Myanmar border is vulnerable to the activities of insurgents and drugs and arms traffickers as well as criminals. Although the Indian government has been alive to the threats that emanate from a poorly guarded India–Myanmar international border, its attention towards the problem has been woefully inadequate. Pushpita Das November 2018 Strategic Analysis
Transformation of Indo-Bangladesh Relations: From Insecurity to Cooperation in Northeast India Bangladesh and India are enjoying increasingly close relations in the latter’s northeastern region. This represents a transformation in the two countries’ past relationship, which was characterised by suspicion, distrust and insecurity. This recent change, which began with the arrival of Bangladesh’s current regime in 2009, has resulted in a sense of cooperation, mutual interest and connectivity. This article aims to explain this transformation. Md. Sohel Rana November 2018 Strategic Analysis
India’s First Step Towards Regulating Drones The Civilian Aviation Requirements for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, though fairly well drafted, constitute only a stop gap measure for regulating drone operations in the civil sector. Atul Pant October 31, 2018 IDSA Comments
Making Private Companies Accountable For Breach of User Private Data Mega data breaches of user’s private digital data in the last two years has drawn the world’s attention towards protection, safe custody and management of this extremely valuable commodity. Ashish Chhibbar October 24, 2018 IDSA Comments
Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Relations – the drivers and challenges While Pakistan clearly seeks to maintain cordial relations with Iran, it is unlikely that it would be willing to incur the displeasure of Saudi Arabia with which it has greater economic and strategic links. Nazir Ahmad Mir October 24, 2018 IDSA Comments
