Pakistan: Under the Shadow of the Military Jackboot The military has ridden roughshod over Pakistan’s polity for most of the country’s history since its independence. The Pakistani army, once described as a ‘state within a state’, is now being viewed by many as the state. In fact, the army and the ISI (the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate) together form the ‘deep state’. Gurmeet Kanwal | August 19, 2014 | IDSA Comments
The Return of the Americans to Iraq The decision to commit US military power has been camouflaged in suitably humanitarian terms to give the impression that it was an effort designed to ‘protect’ the fleeing Yazidis and other minority groups. R. S. Kalha | August 19, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Sifting Through the Himalayas Prime Minister Modi has to think beyond the immediate circle and leverage the Himalayas as a bridge for India reaching out to wider Eurasian space the access to which has blocked by Pakistan. A way out could be to promote a regional market across the border, woven by a web of spiritual and commercial interests. P. Stobdan | August 14, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Indo-US Cooperation in Defence Production: Hagel’s visit to India There now seems to be greater recognition of India’s concerns on transfer of technology and not just about co-production but also co-development of next generation weapons. The larger objective for India, however, must be to reduce its dependence on import of foreign equipment and modernize its armed forces in the quickest possible timeframe. Amit Cowshish | August 13, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Déjà vu in Pakistan: Army overpowers Nawaz The army has quite patiently allowed Imran and Qadri to carry on with their protests and create a political condition unfavourable enough for Nawaz Sharif to approach the army for help. Thus like in 1993, Nawaz is feeling the heat even if the opposition is not united in their effort to dislodge his government. Yaqoob-ul-Hassan | August 08, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Competitive politics over illegal migration from Bangladesh Realising the electoral significance of the issue the Congress seems to be engaging in a competitive politics with the BJP by talking of giving citizenship to even those migrants who came to India after 1971 but were persecuted in Bangladesh. Anand Kumar | August 08, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Beijing’s APEC Call on India: A New Twist in India-China Power Politics? While India needs to vigorously pursue its endeavour for APEC membership, it is crucial for the policymakers to comprehend the geo-political allusions of this Chinese invitation, which is linked with India-China ties as well as their balance-of-power politics in Asia-Pacific. Jagannath P. Panda | August 05, 2014 | Issue Brief
Is Russian ready to face the Afghan fallouts? Russia seems both happy as well as worried about US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Concerns about Central Asian security apart, now with the sectarian strife in West Asia flaring up, the Russian anxieties would heighten about possible spread of ISIS type assertion along its southern belt. P. Stobdan | August 05, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Post-Crimea: Central Asian Fear Putin’s Stick There is a growing sense that Putin, after what he did to Crimea, has prepared a fine blueprint for similar intervention in Central Asian states should it become a necessary case for protecting Russian interests in these countries. P. Stobdan | August 04, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Is Putin Gearing Up for Intervening in Asia Next? In a three part series the author analyses Russia's strategic play. In this first part, the recently held military "snap inspection" drill by Russia involving 65,000 troops is examined and significantly the intent and purpose behind it. P. Stobdan | August 01, 2014 | IDSA Comments
