The US’ Surveillance Review Panel Report: An Assessment The 300-page report has 46 recommendations offering drastic solutions while addressing many of the issues in the wake of the Snowden revelations. The Administration has already rejected a key recommendation; that since both the NSA and Cyber Command have conflicting functions, the NSA should be placed under civilian control and should be split from the Cyber Command. Cherian Samuel | January 09, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Thinking and the Pakistani Connection Riyadh anticipates that in the long run a nuclear Iran will be challenging Saudi’s proxy conflicts with Iran in states like Palestine, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria. Amidst such concerns, Riyadh’s rejection of a UN Security Council seat in October 2013 followed by the revelation of the BBC news about possible nuclear weapons cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in November 2013 has raised questions whether Riyadh aspires to acquire nuclear weapons capability. Reshmi Kazi | January 07, 2014 | Issue Brief
Cancellation of the VVIP Helicopter Contract: Beginning of a Long haul? While there was perhaps no option for the MoD but to do what it has done, it would be naive to expect the seller to acquiesce in forfeiture of the bank guarantees, recovery of the sums allegedly paid in violation of the PCIP (assuming that it will be possible to recover this amount) and to simply take the three helicopters back without demur. Amit Cowshish | January 06, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Bangladesh Political Crisis and India`s Options India may have to maintain a two-pronged approach. At the governmental level, it will have to offer economic benefits and cooperation. However, a regime which is communally oriented may have to be dealt on a reciprocal basis. Gautam Sen | January 06, 2014 | IDSA Comments
3D Printing and Defence: A Silent Revolution In a 3D printing technology, an object is created layer by layer through a specially designed printer using plastic or other materials. The most striking thing about 3D printing is the way it can convert the digital inventory into physical objects thereby reducing the requirement of critical storage space drastically. Sanjiv Tomar | January 03, 2014 | IDSA Comments
‘Arab Spring’: Implications for India As India–Gulf relationship is taking an upward trajectory, and India’s stakes and interests are growing with time, it is time for India to adopt a formally articulated “Look West Policy” in line with the successful “Look East Policy”. This Policy Brief by the West Asia Centre of IDSA explores some policy options for India. MP-IDSA | January 02, 2014 | Policy Brief
Indo-Pak DGsMO Meeting: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back Shorn of its rhetoric, the only tangible outcome discernible from the joint statement is the agreement on staging two flag meetings at the LoC. In fact, there are some questions that need to be asked, for example, why did the situation worsen to the extent that the DGsMO had to meet to affirm their commitment to maintain the sanctity of, and the ceasefire on, the LOC? Amit Cowshish | January 02, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Permanent Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee: Should the appointment be delayed further? Though the general elections are due this year, the need of the hour is to build a political consensus on the issue without further delay. It will be to the credit of the government if it is able to generate political consensus and appoint a Permanent Chairman CoSC or CDS. Vijai Singh Rana | January 02, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Strategic Himalayas: Republican Nepal and External Powers Publisher: Pentagon Press The ten years of Maoist insurgency followed by the political vacuum after the abolition of the monarchy and the delay in the drafting of the Constitution has given credence to the role of external powers in shaping the domestic politics in that country. The book examines the nature of external powers’ role during the political transition in Nepal since 2006. It analyses Nepal’s relations with external powers’ in the framework of ‘small and major powers’. ISBN 978-81-8274-761-6, Price: ₹ 995 E-copy available Nihar R. Nayak | | Book
Stability and Growth in South Asia Publisher: Pentagon Press This book examines the forces and processes which have led to relative political stability or unleashed trends in that direction in some countries of South Asia. It also delves into the factors that have stimulated economic growth in some countries, and impeded economic growth in others. Eminent authors from the region examine how far the positive political and economic trends in the region are irreversible or lend themselves to internal convulsions or external influences. There is also a focus on how far inter-state relations within the region have led to stronger intra-regional co-operation, particularly in the economic field. ISBN 978-81-8274-748-7, Price: ₹ 995/- E-copy available Sumita Kumar | | Book
