Murky Waters: Politics in the South China Sea What makes the South China Sea compelling is its global strategic significance both in terms of trade and energy, which has given rise to the strategic presence of a dangerous number of actors cast in multiple roles. Melissa M. Cyrill December 11, 2012 Backgrounder
Egypt in Crisis: Learning the Hard Lessons of Democracy Egypt is realizing that democracy is not an easily procured fruit, especially in a nation where political movements have been suppressed for decades and peoples’ sentiments can be easily swayed either way. Rajeev Agarwal December 08, 2012 IDSA Comments
Trespassers will be Prosecuted: China’s latest Billboard in the South China Sea The issuance of these ordinances will not only add to the growing tensions in the disputed areas, specifically the South China Sea, but also add to the growing suspicions about Chinese intent. Sarabjeet Singh Parmar December 08, 2012 IDSA Comments
Sectarian Violence in Karachi: Is Pakistan Closer to the Precipice? Unity of purpose and synergy between state institutions required to deal with sectarian violence is largely missing and, as a result, the Pakistani state is responding to the growing Taliban threat in Karachi in a knee-jerk manner. P. K. Upadhyay December 07, 2012 IDSA Comments
Eruptions in Goma – Troublesome mandate The events of the last ten days have once again focussed international attention on the DRC and lent support to voices clamouring for a review of the existing mandate of MONUSCO and the larger process by which these mandates are concretized. Akash S. Goud December 05, 2012 IDSA Comments
Can Nigeria’s Anti-Terrorism Law Address the Boko Haram Threat? The Act does not seem to factor in the possibility of brutal crackdowns leading to an atmosphere of further militarisation and hostility. Sneha Bhura December 2012 Africa Trends
The End of the Somali ‘Transition’ and the Challenges Ahead There is a collective international effort to bring about stability, but its history with its neighbours and divisions within may haunt Somalia's future. Saurabh Mishra December 2012 Africa Trends
SINAI: The Middle East’s New Hot Spot Since the revolution that toppled Mubarak, Sinai has become a no man’s land where jihadists from Egypt and Gaza as well as local Bedouins have begun to engage in militant activities. Rajeev Agarwal November 30, 2012 Issue Brief
Officers’ Promotion Policy in the Army It is desirable that policies are not tinkered with after every change of command and are allowed to stabilise over a period of 5 to 10 years before they are reviewed for their efficacy. Rumel Dahiya , Vivek Chadha November 30, 2012 Issue Brief
The New Defence Offset Guidelines: Challenges Ahead MoD has to assume the leadership role and provide some kind of a single-window service to the defence industry to steer the offsets in a direction that helps achieve the objective of modernisation through self-reliance. Amit Cowshish November 30, 2012 IDSA Comments
