Prospects of Maritime Cooperation between India and Russia in Indian Ocean Region, Arctic and Russian Far East The India-Russia partnership is longstanding and time-tested, one of steadiest of the major relationships in the world. Although the relations between the two countries have remained exceptionally warm and cordial, their full potential has not been realised. Anurag Bisen IDSA Occasional Papers
Mahan and Mackinder: Addressing the False Dichotomy in the Eurasian Pivot theory Halford Mackinder’s 1904 paper: The Geographical Pivot of History, has been an object of scholarly contention for more than eight decades. Endlessly regurgitated, the process of the Mackinder review has become a niche within International Relations theory that has evolved over time but retained a number of core themes. Philip Reid IDSA Occasional Papers
Aerial Drones in Future Wars: A Conceptual Perspective Aerial drones are fast making way into military operations. With further advancement of technology, their role in warfare is set to increase exponentially. The new generation aerial drones promise to be at the centre stage of military operations in future warfare, in both lethal and non-lethal roles. Atul Pant IDSA Occasional Papers
Makran Gateways: A Strategic Reference for Gwadar and Chabahar The spirit of 'Connectivity', a salient motif in early-twenty first century international relations (IR), has provided an amenable context for a review of geo-determinism in IR theory and the defence of classical geopolitical models as analytical frameworks. No contemporary case study is perhaps more admissible in this regard than the scramble for connectivity leadership in Central and South Asia. Philip Reid IDSA Occasional Papers
The Acquisition of Rafale Aircraft: Facts and Concerns That Ought To Be In the Public Domain The acrimonious debate in the public space on the acquisition of Rafale aircraft has been primarily focused on a few issues. The debate does not inform the public about the long, arduous and complex nature of the programme and the joint effort invested in it. The uniqueness of this programme is also not in the public domain. It does not specifically inform the lay person as to the rationale for restricting the numbers to two squadrons, and carries on oblivious of the collateral effect it may have on future acquisition programmes. Vinay Kaushal IDSA Occasional Papers
Chemical Weapons Convention: Past, Present and Future The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an arms control treaty that outlaws the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons and their precursors. This convention came into force on 29 April 1997. This convention is the effort of some 20 years of negotiations at the Conference of Disarmament (CD). Ajey Lele , Natallia Khaniejo IDSA Occasional Papers
Future Warfare and Artificial Intelligence: Visible Path Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as the most disruptive technology of the current era and is advancing exponentially. AI is growing around the concept of machines acquiring human like intelligence for problem solving. Though still in early evolutionary stage, it is already changing the ways the day to day thing are being done. Atul Pant IDSA Occasional Papers
Defence Planning and Budget Dilemma The government decided to do away with the five year planning process in 2014. Therefore, there is no 13th plan. Despite this, MoD has gone ahead and formulated the 13th five year plan and submitted it to MoF for information only. Thus, the dilemma of defence planning and budget continues. Vinay Kaushal IDSA Occasional Papers
National Unity Government in Sri Lanka: An Assessment At the close of two years, the National Unity Government (NUG) of Sri Lanka has failed to maintain the confidence and trust of the people it enjoyed during the first three months of its tenure. Having said that, political crisis or instability in Sri Lanka remains unlikely. The NUG is likely to complete its full term, but it will not be a cakewalk. Gulbin Sultana IDSA Occasional Papers
Hypersonic Weapons Hypersonic weapons are weapons that move at speeds of Mach 5 or more. Presently, hypersonic weapon technology is a work in progress and these weapons are yet to become fully operational for military deployment. Ajey Lele IDSA Occasional Papers