Issue Brief - MP-IDSA

US–China Tech Rivalry: The Geopolitics of Semiconductors

The growing rivalry between the US and China over semiconductors has become one of the sharpest points of tension in their bilateral relationship.

Ishanya Sharma |
August 29, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Japan’s ‘Nuclear Taboo’ 80 Years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki

While Japan is staunchly committed to maintaining its traditional opposition to nuclear weapons, rising shades of domestic opinion are challenging decades of consensus.

Abhishek Verma , Arnab Dasgupta |
August 22, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Türkiye and the PKK: Disarmament and the Path Ahead

The July 2025 Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) disarmament process is widely regarded as the most credible opportunity to bring the armed struggle, initiated in 1984, to a definitive end.

Abhishek Yadav |
August 19, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Cognitive Warfare: Key Aspects

Cognitive Warfare aims to influence an adversary's cognitive functions, from “peacetime public opinion to wartime decision-making”.

Sukhbir Kaur Minhas |
August 18, 2025 |
Issue Brief

The Rafale Marine Deal: Adding Strategic Depth to India–France Ties

The Rafale-Marine deal between India and France marks a significant milestone in deepening strategic ties with a key Indo-Pacific partner.

Shayesta Nishat Ahmed |
August 12, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) Policy towards Southeast Asia

Japan’s evolving OSA policy fosters regional stability through innovative, constitutionally compliant security partnerships.

Simran Walia |
August 12, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Charting India–Maldives Relations under Muizzu

Even with a recalibration in India–Maldives relations, Maldives’ engagement with China or other countries like Turkey is not likely to decrease.

Gulbin Sultana |
August 07, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Israel–Iran War: From Asymmetric Deterrence to Direct Military Confrontation

To confront the long-term Israeli campaign aimed at dismantling its military capabilities, Iran will likely seek to increase the resilience of its forces.

Deepika Saraswat |
August 07, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Israel’s Strategic Priorities in Post-Assad Syria

Israel’s July 2025 military intervention in Syria is motivated by an attempt to preserve the post-December 2024 territorial security status quo.

Myanmar’s Rare Earth Elements: Conflict Dynamics and Supply Chains

Amid the civil war, Myanmar’s rare earth elements have become a flashpoint for regional and global resource politics.

Om Prakash Das |
July 24, 2025 |
Issue Brief

The Israel–Iran War and the Nuclear Factor

The Israel–Iran War has raised serious questions regarding the credibility of the IAEA and highlighted structural deficiencies in the NPT.

The Quad, Africa, and Competition for Critical Minerals

The Quad can offer a compelling, inclusive alternative to China’s mineral dominance through an Africa-centered critical minerals strategy.

Mohanasakthivel J |
July 18, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Yoga Kshema: Its Roots and Relevance in the Contemporary Strategic Landscape

Yoga kshema implies prosperity and protection, two distinct conditions that are not achieved in isolation but are closely interlinked.

Vivek Chadha |
July 16, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Xi Jinping’s Crackdown on Corruption in the PLA

President Xi Jinping has prosecuted some of the seniormost Chinese military officials for corruption.

Two Japanese Scholars’ Visions for the Indo-Pacific: An Assessment

Two influential Japanese scholars’ visions of the Indo-Pacific region offer divergent perspectives on the evolution of thinking on the concept among Japanese strategists.

Arnab Dasgupta |
July 14, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Iranian Nuclear Question and Israel’s Threat Perceptions

The prospects for lasting peace in the West Asian region remain minimal despite the ceasefire in the aftermath of the 12-day Iran–Israel war.

The 12-Day Iran–Israel War and Reverberations in West Asia

The Iran–Israel war will significantly impact the future geopolitics and security in the West Asian region.

China’s Two Sessions 2025: Influence of CPC’s Political Ideas

The Two Sessions (两会) 2025 reflected the key political ideas driving China’s pursuit of economic reforms.

M.S. Prathibha |
July 10, 2025 |
Issue Brief

From Diffusion to Discretion: Contextualising US Pivot in Compute Control

The abrupt rescission of the AI Diffusion Framework marks a significant shift in US approach to AI policy.

Meghna Pradhan |
July 04, 2025 |
Issue Brief

Hypersonic Weapons and Contemporary Conflicts

The use of hypersonic weapons in the Russia–Ukraine war and increasing relevance in the Middle East is reflective of a major paradigm shift in contemporary conflicts.

Amita |
July 03, 2025 |
Issue Brief