A Doctrine at Work: Obama’s Evolving Nuclear Policy and What it Bodes for India President Obama made history by coming to office with the promise of working towards a nuclear weapons-free world. Envisioning a new non-proliferation momentum, Obama promised to revive the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) system and create nuclear security and energy architectures that will secure nuclear materials and make proliferation difficult. A year later, Obama realised the difficulties of selling his vision to his bureaucratic-military establishment, which resisted efforts to reduce the role of nuclear weapons while pushing for nuclear modernisation. A. Vinod Kumar | March 2011 | Strategic Analysis
Future of Parliamentary Democracy in Kyrgyzstan We must prove to the world community that a new political culture takes root in Kyrgyzstan and a new political strategy supported by people will have a future. A return to the past will imminently lead to the restoration of totalitarianism and a clannish government. We must learn a lesson from the past. Life will show how suitable the parliamentary system is for our community. Our people had lived in the conditions of a nomadic democracy for thousands of years, preserving their traditions and values in difficult times of history. Meena Singh Roy | March 2011 | Strategic Analysis
A More Centralised State after War The government headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa would easily be deemed the most decisive one in post-independence Sri Lanka. What the government leadership decides is implemented forthwith. The military crushing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that had eluded five successive governments is the most outstanding example. Nothing could stand in the way of the government's decision, neither the fear of failure nor of foreign pressure. Jehan Perera | March 2011 | Strategic Analysis
The India–China Nuclear Relationship The India–China nuclear-strategic relationship has been surprisingly under studied, given the rising interest in the strategic interaction between the two countries. 1 Part of the reason is that India's nuclear capabilities have been relatively limited vis-à-vis China, though this is exaggerated by the tendency among Indian analysts to focus on the need to target Beijing. There is no evident reason why China should not be deterred by the targeting of other cities that are closer to India. Kartik Bommakanti , Rajesh M. Basrur | March 2011 | Strategic Analysis
The Sino-Japanese Rare Earths Row: Will China’s Loss be India’s Gain? Following the dispute over the seizure of a Chinese trawler and its crew by Japan in the disputed waters in the East China Sea believed to be rich in oil and gas resources, Beijing has been flexing its muscles against Tokyo in another area. However, this one may have far deeper consequences not only for Japan but for the rest of the world. Shebonti Ray Dadwal | March 2011 | Strategic Analysis
China’s Worried Response to the Uprisings in the Middle East The success of popular movements in the Middle East has raised the apprehensions of the Chinese Communist Party, which has been reminded of its own weakness. Gunjan Singh | February 25, 2011 | IDSA Comments
Public Finance and National Security: Deficit Reduction and the American Military in a Time of Diminished Resources The United States faces a budget crisis of proportions with no precedent in its recent history. The country’s economic dominance since the end of World War II has supported a military posture with global reach and influence. Peter Maher | February 24, 2011 | Issue Brief
No Solution in Sight for Russo-Japanese Territorial Dispute Russia has renewed its efforts to reconfirm its territorial claim over the southern Kuril Islands, also claimed by Japan and known as the Northern Territories.. Shamshad A. Khan | February 24, 2011 | IDSA Comments
Defence Budget 2011-12 should go beyond Fiscal Austerity Ground reality rather than fiscal prudence should guide the Finance Minister while finalising the defence budget for 2011-12. Laxman Kumar Behera | February 23, 2011 | IDSA Comments
Maoists’ Abduction Tactic Abduction is a Maoist tactic to arm-twist the government and secure the release of imprisoned comrades as well as make some tactical gains by placing demands that could be projected as pro-people. P. V. Ramana | February 23, 2011 | IDSA Comments
