Re-Energising Science Diplomacy in South Asia Science diplomacy can be used effectively to address critical challenges facing the South Asian region. Opangmeren Jamir | January 31, 2023 | IDSA Comments
Slender is the Corridor Is 22 kilometres (kms) adequate enough for an emotional connection? The famed Siliguri Corridor is 22 kms wide at its narrowest point, a rectangular box of about 400 sq kms (20x22 kms), and has multi-dimensional aspects connected to it: strategic, economic, emotional and political. Have we recognised the importance of this 22 kms strip? Strategically yes, but what about other issues, which connect a nation? Have we connected with it politically and emotionally? V.S. Ranade | January-March 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
Celebrating the Journey of the Indian Armed Forces and the Way Forward The journey of the Indian Armed Forces over the last 100 years has in many ways mirrored the momentous history of the birth, struggles and victories of India. It straddles a colonial period in which the armed forces of India owed allegiance to a foreign sovereign and could readily be used to fight an alien power’s wars and promote its strategic objectives. This did not however erode the heroism and professionalism that the Indian armed forces came to be known for over two centuries. Amb. Sujan R. Chinoy | January-March 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
India’s Civilisational Ties with the World: An Underexplored Theme in India’s Soft Power Discourse ‘Soft Power’ has never before been explicitly stated as part of India’s foreign policy, like it has been done in the last few years. However, much remains to be done to transform India’s capacities into capabilities for an effective soft power exercise, and to be able to employ such soft power as a veritable instrument of influence. This article discusses the civilisational asset that India possesses and its potential for enhancing soft power, that is, India’s historical and civilisational ties with, and the cultural footprints thereof, in different parts of the world, especially Asia. Arpita Mitra | January-March 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
Integrated Rocket Force: A Timely Idea The Pralay surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 150–500 kms can be the focal point of an Integrated Rocket Force and provide critical deterrent capabilities. Akshat Upadhyay | January 24, 2023 | Issue Brief
Terror Attack Prediction Based on Time Series Forecasting of Twitter Data The use of social media such as Twitter by terrorist organisations to spread their propaganda and to recruit new members is well-documented. As per an estimate, there were about 46,000–90,000 Twitter accounts in 2014, which either advocated for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or were run by supporters of the group. In 2015, Twitter reported that it had banned 1,25,000 ISIS sympathetic accounts. In 2016, it published an update that 3,25,000 accounts had been deleted. Ranjit Mishra | January-March 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
Starlink’s Role in Ukraine: Portent of a Space War? Starlink, a satellite internet constellation owned by Elon Musk, provides satellite-based internet connectivity to consumers globally, and has been actively involved in guiding Ukrainian military drones and missiles against Russian military positions, thus becoming party to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict and a bonafide military objective. Russia had also accused Starlink of helping the Ukrainian forces to guide and modify fire of the two Neptune missiles, which led to the sinking of the Russian warship Moskva. Kaushik Ray , William Selvamurthy | January-March 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
US–Saudi Tensions: Implications for the Petrodollar System The petrodollar system that came into existence in the 1970s has come under stress, with oil being traded increasingly in non-US denominated currencies. Adil Rasheed | January 18, 2023 | Issue Brief
Unpacking India’s Defence Cooperation with Africa India’s defence cooperation with African countries is on the rise. This cooperation is to some extent driven by the common security challenges faced by these countries. It is also guided by three principles: keeping African priorities first, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All) and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, the World is One Family. Training of African defence officers, involvement in United Nations Peacekeeping on the continent and maritime cooperation are the three pillars of defence engagement with African countries. Ruchita Beri | July-September 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
2034: A Novel of the Next World War by Elliot Ackerman and James Stavridis For a book published in 2021 and preceding the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, 2034: A Novel of the Next World War by Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis is remarkably topical and prescient. It forecasts a future where great power ambition and a sense of infallibility of a superpower lure it towards utilising ‘compellence’ as a strategy towards attaining its goal of world domination, leading to predictable consequences. Alok Deb | January-March 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
