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Assessing Maritime Power in the Asia-Pacific, edited by Greg Kennedy and Harsh V. Pant

Since taking over in 2009, the Obama Administration considered Asia to be significant for power cooperation and for establishing an international order based on accepted rules and norms. This started the journey of a much-debated concept that was first called the ‘Back to Asia’ strategy and later re-termed as a ‘Rebalance’ or ‘Pivot to Asia’. In November 2011, then American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in an article titled ‘America’s Pacific Century’, reiterated the importance of Asia-Pacific for the United States (US).

Is the GCC Crisis De-escalating?

While the GCC crisis seems to be de-escalating, there is no end in sight as yet.

K. P. Fabian
July 26, 2017
IDSA Comments

Air Support for Internal Security Operations: What India can Learn from Trinidad and Tobago

Air power has long been recognised as a useful asset in internal security operations, running the full gamut from militarised counter-insurgency (CI) and counter-terrorist (CT) operations to the mundane task of crowd control. In the last 15 years, the archipelagic state of Trinidad and Tobago has made extensive use of air assets for internal security operations, with mixed results. In the process, some lessons have been learnt and some serious mistakes made that can be instructive for even large countries such as India.

International Military Exercises: An Indian Perspective

International military exercises are an extension of military training for partner countries and a significant military diplomacy tool. Since 2012, the Indian armed forces have engaged 23 countries in 93 international military exercises. This article analyses the data regarding these exercises in terms of the participating countries and services. Outlining the benefits and possible pitfalls of participation in international military exercises, it suggests a holistic policy review on the subject.

Formulation of a European Union Budget

The moot point is whether member countries are clear about the EU’s economic dysfunctions and the degree of economic unification they desire for surmounting them.

Gautam Sen
July 24, 2017
IDSA Comments

Labour’s Downhill Journey in Israel

Israel’s Labour party has been going through turmoil since losing monopoly over power in 1977 and is unable to regain its erstwhile pre-eminence and even relevance.

Russia & Chemical Weapons Destruction

In a historic announcement on 27th September 2017, the Russian Federation declared the complete destruction of its huge Cold War-era chemical weapons stockpiles.1 The Russian announcement has been greeted with… Continue reading Russia & Chemical Weapons Destruction

Kapil Patil
July-December 2017
CBW Magazine

Ricin: Feral Wolf to Hunting Dog!

History Ricin is a protein, naturally synthesized by the castor bean plant. The castor bean contains 3- 5% of Ricin in it. It was discovered by Stillmark first in 1888… Continue reading Ricin: Feral Wolf to Hunting Dog!

Mrinmayee Bhushan
July-December 2017
CBW Magazine

India’s Wars: A Military History, 1947–1971, by Arjun Subramaniam

In this first of two volumes, Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam offers excellent and concise histories of India’s wars and military operations, starting with the rescue and partial liberation of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947-48 from depredating Pakistani irregulars and ending with the 1971 war for the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan’s genocidal rule. Based on published material available, and supplementing it with interviews, Subramaniam’s India’s Wars provides a layered perspective on the strategic, operational and tactical aspects of these wars and operations.

Transfer of Defence Technology: Exploring the Avenues for India

India has been the recipient of transfers of defence technology predominantly through the licensed manufacture mode which, while being cheap and easy to implement, has some major limitations. This article looks into alternate modes of technology transfer and explores additional possibilities through a broad perspective on technology development. It also attempts to assess the relative strengths of each mode, the challenges in implementation and indicate a way forward to meet suitable national goals.