India–China relations: politics of resources, identity and authority in a multipolar world order Jagannath P. Panda’s India–China Relations: Politics of Resources, Identity and Authority in a Multipolar World Order is a welcome addition among the plethora of scholarship available on India–China relations, by bringing analysis of the bilateral relationship into the second decade of the 21st century. Chietigj Bajpaee | May 2017 | Strategic Analysis
Neoclassical realist theory of international politics In the mid-1990s, Colin Elman cited a maxim horses for courses meaning ‘every horse is suited to a particular course’ to underscore the inherent weakness of neorealist theories in that they ‘cannot be used as theories of foreign policy’. In response, Kenneth Waltz had unequivocally admitted the weakness: ‘My old horse (Neorealism) cannot run the course and will lose if it tries.’ But since then, discourse in International Relations (IR) theory has entered a new phase. Vikash Chandra | May 2017 | Strategic Analysis
India Hyphenates Turkey The timing of its engagements with Armenia and Cyprus is a clear indication that India is hyphenating its relations with Turkey. By simultaneously engaging with his regional adversaries, India is hoping to influence Erdogan’s attention and priorities. P. R. Kumaraswamy | April 28, 2017 | IDSA Comments
Japan’s Foreign and Security Policy Under the ‘Abe Doctrine’: New Dynamism or New Dead End?, by Christopher W. Hughes Given the fluidity in East Asian geopolitics and China’s arrival as a key variable in the international system, Japan has been forced to respond to the asymmetrical power politics. As China is carving out a sphere of influence for itself which is increasingly eclipsing Japan’s international stature, Abe has the task of presenting the case of where and how does Japan fit in. Titli Basu | April 2017 | Journal of Defence Studies
Is President Trump’s Foreign Policy Shaping Up? What to make of the combination of Trump’s missile strikes in Syria, changes of mind about China and Russia, warnings to North Korea, signals about scaling up military presence in Afghanistan, and outreach to Turkey? K. P. Fabian | April 24, 2017 | IDSA Comments
International Law on the Use of Force against Terrorists since 9/11: The Contrasting Cases of Israel and India The international law on the use of force against terrorists has experienced a radical revision since the rise of transnational jihad of Al-Qaeda. It has sufficiently expanded to accommodate actions against terrorists in foreign territory in the wake of terrorist attacks, particularly when the foreign State is hosting terrorists and not cooperating with the victim State. However, the new legal framework does not give carte blanche to States to use force against terrorists. While using force States must strictly follow the law. Yashasvi Chandra | April 2017 | Journal of Defence Studies
Mapping the Recent Russian Protests At a time of heightened nationalism over the Ukrainian confrontation, these events cast doubts about the narrative of a stable political system. Rajorshi Roy | April 21, 2017 | IDSA Comments
Turkish Referendum: Will it lead to Autocratic Rule? The post-referendum changes in Turkey will have far reaching implications not only for the form of government but also for the long-term future of the republic and adversely affect democratic consolidation. Md. Muddassir Quamar | April 20, 2017 | IDSA Comments
Severing Gilgit Baltistan’s Kashmir link Subsuming Gilgit Baltistan as a province may propel a paradigmatic shift and redrawing of Kashmir strategy across both sides of the Line of Control. Priyanka Singh | April 19, 2017 | IDSA Comments
Why has India chosen to become a member of the International Energy Agency Given that over 70 per cent of the world's energy consumption comes under the IEA umbrella, the association with the agency will substantially increase India’s relevance in global energy governance. Shebonti Ray Dadwal | April 19, 2017 | IDSA Comments
