Bangladesh survives yet another Military coup attempt Ever since the India-friendly Sheikh Hasina government came into office after sweeping the December 2008 general elections, her domestic opponents and their foreign patrons have been plotting the ouster of her government through undemocratic means. Rajeev Sharma | January 23, 2012 | IDSA Comments
China’s White Papers on Space: An Analysis China's space programme is not only an attempt to demonstrate technological or military superiority, but is aimed at achieving great power status. Ajey Lele , Gunjan Singh | January 20, 2012 | Issue Brief
Chinese PM in Nepal: A short visit but a long trail? Wen Jiabao’s visit came about at a time when China is concerned about the ongoing political instability in Nepal and is looking for new political partners after the fall of the monarchy. Nihar R. Nayak | January 18, 2012 | IDSA Comments
Sikkim Earthquake: Perils of Poor Preparedness An earthquake of the magnitude 6.9 on the Richter scale occurred in Sikkim and the neighbouring states of West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar on September 18, 2011. The tremors were felt in five other Indian states, besides affecting neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and China. Although few lives were lost (111 in all) despite the high magnitude of the quake, primarily because its epicentre was in the remote and thinly-populated area of Mangan, significant lessons were learnt in its aftermath. Nina Khanna , Jayender Verma , B.K. Khanna | January 2012 | Journal of Defence Studies
Japan’s Disaster Response Management: Lessons for the World Introduction Rajaram Panda | January 2012 | Journal of Defence Studies
The Chinese Disaster Management Mechanism Geographic position, climatic features, and geological structures cause natural disasters in almost cyclical order in China. Man-made disasters such as the SARS epidemic add a new dimension to the over all woe of a nation which is home to 18.5 per cent of the world population. The paper explores the extent of the face lift achieved by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from once being known as the “Land of Famines” and the “Land of Death”, and, in particular, the positive contribution of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the whole gamut of disasters. Sheo Nandan Pandey | January 2012 | Journal of Defence Studies
2008 Sichuan Earthquake and Role of the Chinese Defence Forces in Disaster Relief The People’s Republic of China has been afflicted by natural calamities right from its inception in 1949, including severe river flooding, excess snowfall, cyclones, tsunamis and earthquakes. The consequential human suffering is further aggravated by the heavy population density. The mammoth 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province and the resultant loss of life and property exposed the ill-preparedness of the Chinese government machinery like never before. Nevertheless, the Chinese State Council rose admirably to the occasion. Kamlesh K. Agnihotri | January 2012 | Journal of Defence Studies
Japan: Dynamics of Military Alliance in Disaster Management The March 2011 triple disaster in Japan obligated a response from the US, its long-time ally. The US disaster assistance to Japan went beyond the customary nature of the countries’ relationship, and was conspicuous for the scale of military involvement that was embedded in the US-Japan alliance. The success of the US asistance programme Operation Tomodachi is attributed to interoperability between the defence forces of the two allies. Preeti Nalwa | January 2012 | Journal of Defence Studies
Disaster Management in South-east Asia South-east Asia is the epicentre of frequent disasters of varying intensity. The damage to life and property caused by these disasters is comparable to that caused by war. Disasters disrupt the national economy and social development. Besides, the world has shrunk and news about the hardship suffered by the people is rapidly disseminated. As such, the management of disasters has become a key concern of governments confronted with an increasingly aware civil society and a shorter reaction time. Udai Bhanu Singh | January 2012 | Journal of Defence Studies
Contours of a Possible Indian Riposte to Chinese Aggressiveness After assessing the weaknesses and gaps in Chinese capabilities and highlighting the positions of advantage that India enjoys, this essay proposes a strategy for a strong riposte against any Chinese adventurism. Lalit Kumar | January 17, 2012 | Policy Brief