Reading the Veto on Syria The rare October 4 double veto by Russia and China on the draft resolution against Syria sponsored by France, Germany, Portugal, and UK condemning Syrian action on its civilian population has come to bolster the divide within the Security Council. Russia and China hinted that they may bring their own draft resolution but, at the moment, there is no sign of reconciliation or unanimity among the P5. Saurabh Mishra | October 21, 2011 | IDSA Comments
Andaman and Nicobar Command: From an Experiment to an Inspiration The Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Islands are India’s gateways to the east and their significance in its national security calculus is increasingly being realised, as they fit perfectly in the jigsaw puzzle of India’s ‘Look East Policy’. They allow India to project its benign power and influence in consonance with its emerging status and role in the region. They also provide an ideal springboard for India to play a far more effective role in the area. Pramod Sangwa | October 2011 | Journal of Defence Studies
Operation Neptune Spear and Role of Technology The US Special Forces undertook Operation Neptune Spear nicknamed “Geronimo” to kill Osama bin Laden on May 02, 2011. The importance of this operation is momentous. In the absence of any detailed disclosure by the US administration (till date) about the conduct of this operation, except the press conference held by intelligence officials immediately after the operation, it becomes difficult to study this operation in depth. On the other hand both multiple narratives of this operation are available in electronic and print media. Ajey Lele | October 2011 | Journal of Defence Studies
A National Security Strategy Document for India A National Security Strategy document should be realistic and balanced. While recognizing the challenges, it should also underline the opportunities. For, a successful national security strategy can give a fillip to our national consciousness, economy and socio-economic development, thus creating a calmer environment conducive for national development. Arvind Gupta | October 20, 2011 | IDSA Comments
A National Security Strategy Document for India A National Security Strategy document should be realistic and balanced. While recognizing the challenges, it should also underline the opportunities. For, a successful national security strategy can give a fillip to our national consciousness, economy and socio-economic development, thus creating a calmer environment conducive for national development. Arvind Gupta | October 20, 2011 | IDSA Comments
The Palestinian Quest for Statehood at the United Nations: International Reactions and India’s Position President Abbas' request for full UN membership for a Palestinian State may have created new opportunities for India in West Asia. New Delhi today is relatively well-positioned to contribute to the ongoing efforts for the resumption of Israeli - Palestinian talks in the coming weeks. Nicolas Blarel | October 20, 2011 | Issue Brief
China and the South China Sea Dispute: Internal Differences and External Ramifications The publication in the Global Times of two very contradictory articles on the same day on the South China Sea dispute clearly underlines the fact that the Chinese leadership is divided. R. S. Kalha | October 19, 2011 | IDSA Comments
Yemen’s Turbulent Spring: Imminent Change amidst Continuing Conflict Yemen is stuck in a paradoxical and ambiguous situation. While it is widely believed that regime change is necessary, in the absence of reliable alternate leadership, the risk of chaos and instability looms large. Prasanta Kumar Pradhan | October 18, 2011 | Issue Brief
Pakistan’s Military-Militant Cabal Pakistan has for long been running with the hares and hunting with the hounds. While it has been a key partner of the international community in the war against terror, elements in Pakistani military establishment have been hand in glove with the very same terror outfits they are supposed to fight. This paper seeks to put a laser focus on the Janus-faced Pakistan and discuss Pakistan’s duplicitous conduct in dealing with the jihadists. A prime example of the Pakistani strategy in dealing with terror outfits is the Haqqani network which has been discussed in depth here. Rajeev Sharma | October 2011 | Journal of Defence Studies
TNW in Nuclear First Use: The Legal Counter Pakistan’s ISPR (Inter Services Public Relations) in a press release in April announced the development of the Nasr (Hatf IX) a ‘Short Range Surface to Surface Multi Tube (sic) Ballistic Missile’. According to the release, ‘the missile has been developed to add deterrence value to Pakistan’s Strategic Weapons Development programme at shorter ranges’. The Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lt Gen (Retd) Khalid Kidwai stated that it will help in ‘consolidating Pakistan’s strategic deterrence capability at all levels of the threat spectrum.’ Ali Ahmed | October 2011 | Journal of Defence Studies
