China and Africa: The Relationship Matures The strum and drang that has accompanied China's arrival as a major economic and diplomatic actor in Africa has divided the continent into advocates, alarmists and analysts. 1 For the advocates, the integration of China into the African architecture is one to be promoted as an alternative to the tired policy pronouncements of an increasingly enervated West, not least because of the practical rationale that Beijing has the financial means and political will to invest in Africa's future. Chris Alden September 2012 Strategic Analysis
Rafale MMRCA Deal: Last Minute Glitches? The Rafale deal is especially important as it is IAF’s best bet to stem and even reverse the recent and continuous fall in the combat aircraft squadrons fielded. Vivek Kapur August 30, 2012 IDSA Comments
Don’t Shoot the Messenger: The ‘Un-Social’ Strategy The raging controversy on social media regulation post the violence in Assam has left the government in a losing perception battle. It is time to engage with the new media and exploit its potential to communicate strategically and not shoot the messenger Shruti Pandalai August 28, 2012 IDSA Comments
Japan, South Korean War Memories and Territorial Disputes: A Dangerous Mix Despite the generational change, the war memories continue to adversely affect foreign policy and feelings of slight, disrespect, and disparagement could well assume a latent credence that ignites national outrage and dislocates the fragile power equilibrium in the region. Preeti Nalwa August 27, 2012 IDSA Comments
Japan-China stand-off over Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands The rise of nationalism in both Japan and China and the sovereignty issue over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea is a highly explosive mix, perhaps even more so than the South China Sea island and territorial disputes. R. S. Kalha August 27, 2012 IDSA Comments
The Inadequacies of the UN Arms Register The shortcomings of the UN Register of Conventional Arms have led to the failure of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). For the Treaty to be robust and meaningful, the weapon systems which will matter in the future must be reflected in the very design of the instrument. Moreover, the Treaty should remain free from biases and prejudices of the past. Prashant Dikshit August 24, 2012 IDSA Comments
Iran factor in India’s Afghan Policy As India plans to stay engaged in Afghanistan beyond 2014, Iran has emerged as a critical component of India’s Afghan policy. Despite US pressures, India needs to adopt a pragmatic approach vis-à-vis Iran and engage it effectively to protect its vital security and geo-political interests in Afghanistan. Smruti S. Pattanaik August 24, 2012 IDSA Comments
Effect of the Financial Crisis on European Defence: The Case of France The ongoing global financial crisis has had an increasing strain on the defence budgets of different European countries. In the case of France, an intelligent and anticipatory/ preventive planning has mitigated the effects of the crisis but challenges remain, which have to be taken seriously and addressed effectively, if France wants to maintain its strategic autonomy. Adrien Frossard August 24, 2012 IDSA Comments
Pakistan’s Descent into Chaos The terrorist strike on Minhas airbase in Kamra on August 16, in which one Pakistani soldier and nine terrorists were killed, is but the latest manifestation of the state’s inability to protect even its vital military installations. Gurmeet Kanwal August 19, 2012 IDSA Comments
Chinese Inroads into Bhutan: Diplomatic Gimmick or Strategic Reality? The question of Sino-Bhutan diplomatic relations, which is essentially linked to a settled boundary line between the two countries, is a matter of strategic choice for Bhutan. Medha Bisht August 14, 2012 IDSA Comments
