Strategic Direction of the Chinese Navy: Capability and Intent Assessment by Kamlesh K. Agnihotri Rarely do naval practitioners combine capability and strategy cogently. They are good at explaining technical terminology and its applicability, but insufficient in expounding strategy and analysis. They consider capability in terms of war-oriented applicability, rather than the intention, motivation and strategic outreach of such capability. But if a naval practitioner focuses on strategy and its commensurate capability, he can relatively predict the impact of such capability. Joshy M. Paul | January 2016 | Journal of Defence Studies
Addressing Maritime Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region: A Case for Synergising Naval Capacities towards Collective Benefits The vastness and diversity of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its littorals, and difference in the latters’ overall view of regional security, presents a broad spectrum of challenges therein. The maritime capacities of most littoral states are not strong enough to individually address these challenges. However, synergised response strategies, appropriately regulated by one or two collectively mandated apex bodies, would greatly help in managing regional maritime security. Kamlesh K. Agnihotri | January 2016 | Journal of Defence Studies
Investigating the use of Chemical Weapons in Syria Investigating the use of chemical weapons The first inquiry into the use of chemical weapons (CW) in Syria was the United Nations Secretary-General’s Mechanism (SGM) for Investigation of Alleged use… Continue reading Investigating the use of Chemical Weapons in Syria Cindy Vestergaard | January-June 2016 | CBW Magazine
India’s Military Modernization: Strategic Technologies and Weapons Systems, edited by Rajesh Basrur and Bharath Gopalaswamy The Oxford University Press could not have timed it better with its second part of the two-part project on Indian military modernisation in the field of advanced technologies like cruise missiles, nuclear weapons, anti-satellite weapons, missile defence, and information warfare. The adjoining regional countries of the Indian peninsula are flooded with new research vis-à-vis modern weapons and in utilising technology to develop even more advanced weaponry. It is, therefore, prudent for India to step up and be recognised for the power that it professes to be. Rikeesh Sharma | January 2016 | Journal of Defence Studies
Facebook’s Free Basics: A Digital Apartheid Free Basics actually leads to converting the internet, which is supposed to be a global public good, into a ‘controlled’ platform. For some this even amounts to compromising on their ‘human rights’. Ajey Lele | January 07, 2016 | IDSA Comments
The Iran-Saudi Confrontation: Who will win in the end? Unless addressed, the escalation of tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia can have serious adverse consequences for regional stability and peace and also for ongoing efforts to bring to an end the war in Yemen and the wars in Syria. K. P. Fabian | January 06, 2016 | IDSA Comments
Naga Peace Accord and the Kuki and Meitei Insurgencies in Manipur The Naga peace accord is a historic step. It needs to be followed up by correct policy interventions that serve to undercut the relevance of the Kuki and Meitei insurgencies and thus usher in peace in Manipur. Sushil Kumar Sharma | January 05, 2016 | Policy Brief
Nuclear India through a Western Eye Like a section of the US non-proliferation community that relishes supporting and sympathising with China and Pakistan, Levy and the Center for Public Integrity have followed the same approach. Rajiv Nayan | January 04, 2016 | IDSA Comments
Multi-party Democracy in the Maldives and the Emerging Security Environment in the Indian Ocean Region Publisher: Pentagon Press Maldives is the smallest country of South Asia. But its significance is no less because of its crucial geo-strategic location in the Indian Ocean. It sits astride on major sea lanes of communications (SLOCs). However, the crucial geo-strategic location of the Maldives has also caused problems for the country as it has aroused interests of major world powers. ISBN 978-81-8274-895-8, Price: ₹ 795 E-copy available Anand Kumar | | Book
Riverine Neighbourhood: Hydro-politics in South Asia Publisher: Pentagon Press Rivers are the most visible form of fresh water. Rivers are ancient and older than civilizations a ‘mini cosmos’ spawning history, tales, spirituality, and technological incursions. Flowing rivers are the largest renewable water resource as well as a crucible for both humans and aquatic ecosystem. ISBN 978-81-8274-914-6, Price: ₹ 895 E-copy available Uttam Kumar Sinha | | Book
