The developments after 9/11 and the rise of neo-conservative thinking in United States accelerated a process that culminated in the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. The rapid collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime marked a defining moment in international relations. ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’ and its aftermath created an entirely new geopolitical context not only in Iraq but also in the wider West Asia. Huge challenges have emerged as a result of the invasion of Iraq, regime change, and the political reconstruction in Iraq.

• Satyanarayan Pattanayak
• October 2005
• Strategic Analysis

There are embryonic signs that Washington is all set to turn the heat on Myanmar. In a marked departure, UN Security Council unanimously agreed on December 2, 2005 to a US request for a “one-off” briefing by Secretary-General on “the deteriorating situation” in Myanmar. The US request followed Tatmadow’s extension of Aung San Suu Kyi’s (ASSK) house arrest and General Assembly Committee’s recent approval of a resolution condemning human rights in Myanmar.

• P. Stobdan
• October 2005
• Strategic Analysis

In recent years, Africa has emerged as a hot spot for energy sources. The reopening of the oil sector in Sudan and the oil discoveries in West and Central Africa has made this possible. There is a growing argument that oil breeds instability in the African and other oil-rich developing countries across the world. While oil wealth has led to an increase in conflicts in Africa, particularly in the case of Sudan and Nigeria, the rising energy demand is pushing major US, European, Chinese and Malaysian oil companies to invest in African oil.

• Ruchita Beri
• July 2005
• Strategic Analysis

India’s September 24 vote in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supporting the resolution moved by Britain, France and Germany (EU-3) on Iran’s nuclear programme has a raised a significant debate within the strategic studies community on the value and wisdom of the policy stance.

• Sujit Dutta
• July 2005
• Strategic Analysis

Israel has finally pulled out from the Gaza strip and parts of the West Bank marking an end to 38 years of illegal occupation of the territory. Israel occupied this land, known as the Occupied Territories, (OT) after winning the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. However, this pullout, under what is known as the unilateral disengagement plan, originally conceived by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, has deeper implications and wider ramifications than simply returning the occupied land to the Palestinians.

• Tanya Mohan
• July 2005
• Strategic Analysis

This article covers the problems of religious identities in two Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan – and analyses how globalisation and modernisation influenced them. International relations theories as well the sociology of religion presume that religious identity in contemporary Central Asia cannot be exclusively seen as a local product; it is of a twodimensional character and reflects both local and broad external influences. The article argues that while external dimensions are noteworthy, local developments and modernisation need elaboration.

• Laura Yerekeshva
• October 2004
• Strategic Analysis

Yasser Arafat’s death on November 11, 2004, sparked off apprehensions regarding consequent political turmoil, civil war, increase in violence, confusion over future leadership and a subsequent state of chaos and anarchy in Palestine.

• Tanya Mohan
• October 2004
• Strategic Analysis

On November 19, 2004, the UN Security Council convened an unusual session on Sudan’s doorstep, in Nairobi at the end of which they unanimously adopted a resolution promising political and economic support once Sudan ended the 21-yearold war that has left millions dead in that country. The Council secured a written pledge from the Sudanese Government and the rebel People’s Liberation Movement that they would complete a final accord by December 31, 2004.

• Nivedita Ray
• October 2004
• Strategic Analysis

A Clash of Political Cultures: Sino-Indian Relations (1957-62) by Sudarshan Bhutani. Roli Books, New Delhi. 2004 282 p. Price Rs 450/- (HB)

• P. Stobdan
• April 2004
• Strategic Analysis

The United Nations was founded on the principles of sovereign equality of its member states. The sovereignty exercised by states in their domestic jurisdiction and external relations was to be upheld in the conduct of international relations especially through the UN. However, the recent developments culminating in the United States-led war in Iraq have raised several doubts about the efficacy of the UN in preserving the sovereignty of its member-states while maintaining international peace and security.

• Tasneem Meenai
• October 2003
• Strategic Analysis

In the post-Cold War era, with the emergence of an independent Namibia and a democratic South Africa, the main agenda that had brought India and Africa together—the fight against colonialism and institutionalised racialism—has disappeared. India’s Africa policy indicates a slight change as also some consistency in the post-Cold War era. It appears to be composed of five mantras: promoting economic cooperation, engaging the people of Indian origin, preventing and combating terrorism, preserving peace and assisting the African defence forces.

• Ruchita Beri
• April 2003
• Strategic Analysis

Decommissioned Military Hardware can be gainfully be used as “gifts” in order to forge greater ties with recipient countries and potentially, make way for possible purchases of military hardware from India in the future.

• Sanjay Badri-Maharaj
• January 10, 2017
• IDSA Comments

The Security Council resolution on international judicial cooperation, adopted in December 2016, is a significant development in countering the scourge of terrorism.

• Rajeesh Kumar
• January 06, 2017
• IDSA Comments

The Dutch Shipbuilding Company Damen’s success in the Western Hemisphere has important lessons for ship manufacturers who wish to export small and medium sized patrol vessels to the region and elsewhere.

• Sanjay Badri-Maharaj
• September 27, 2016
• IDSA Comments

For Trinidad and Tobago, having two Air Arms has led to duplication of effort that has rendered existing assets less effective than they otherwise might have been. A faulty procurement process has also led to an incompatibility of both aircraft and avionics.

• Sanjay Badri-Maharaj
• September 21, 2016
• IDSA Comments

The salience of the impact of the Rouseff-related developments lie in the fact that there is a degree of similarity in the economic policies of the erstwhile Rouseff Government and its counterparts in some of the other Latin American countries…

• Gautam Sen
• September 06, 2016
• IDSA Comments

The perception of discrimination and the attendant reluctance of Indo-Trinidadians and Indo-Guyanese to enlist in proportionate numbers gives rise to a circle of claims of discrimination that never augur well for good race relations.

• Sanjay Badri-Maharaj
• September 05, 2016
• IDSA Comments

A scramble for assets between the years 2013 and 2015 culminated in the procurement of a fleet of vessels that have restored a degree of capability and viability to the TTCG.

• Sanjay Badri-Maharaj
• August 26, 2016
• IDSA Comments

Security Council reform has proved over the years to be a stubborn and elusive goal, but it remains firmly within our reach if we muster the courage and determination to grasp it.

• E. Courtenay Rattray
• July 20, 2016
• Issue Brief

As Modi speeds up engagement with African countries, there is an important challenge that he faces within the country, namely, making African nationals feel welcome in India.

• Ruchita Beri
• July 05, 2016
• IDSA Comments

An early and decisive conclusion to the political crisis in Brazil and also a finality in the position of Rouseff vis-a-vis the presidency appear unlikely.

• Gautam Sen
• June 28, 2016
• IDSA Comments

Has South Africa buckled under Chinese pressure to oppose India’s membership in the NSG? While this cannot yet be confirmed, there are strong indicators that it could be a possibility.

• Ruchita Beri
• June 15, 2016
• IDSA Comments

His words might fall short of assuaging all but his visit to Hiroshima is a testimony of Obama being a leader of substance.

• Preeti Nalwa
• May 30, 2016
• IDSA Comments

India needs to take advantage of its historically close and friendly ties with Tanzania and step up its ties with that country, perhaps by scheduling a visit of Prime Minister Modi at the earliest.

• Debnath Shaw
• January 22, 2016
• Issue Brief

IAFS-III has been a 'great leap forward' compared to our limited approach earlier. Why has India taken this major step, which requires huge deployment of human and financial resources?

• Debnath Shaw
• January 13, 2016
• IDSA Comments

India and Germany have complementarities that can make them effective partners. However, converting these complementarities into possibilities will depend on creating conducive environment for greater German investment and a better understanding of the German world view.

• Nachiket Khadkiwala
• November 09, 2015
• IDSA Comments

Touted as the most spectacular diplomatic exercise hosted by India since the 1983 Non Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, this meeting provides opportunity for India to rejuvenate relations with the continent.

• Ruchita Beri
• October 29, 2015
• IDSA Comments

Many UN member states are of the view that text-based negotiation is the best way to take the process forward. But the US, Russia and China have refused to commit themselves to this process.

• Yeshi Choedon
• August 17, 2015
• IDSA Comments

The Declaration pushes for a more equitable norm and the New Development Bank is an interesting outcome. The initial subscribed capital of $50 billion dollars and the responsibilities of the functioning are to be shared equally among the founding members of the bank. While China will host the headquarters, the regional centre will be located in South Africa; similarly the first President of the Bank will be from India, the First Board of Governors from Russia and the first chair of Board of Directors from Brazil.

• Ruchita Beri
• July 22, 2014
• IDSA Comments

The UN is convening a conference on Syria in Montreux from January 22 with 30 odd states including India attending the meet. While the US is standing in the way of Iran’s participation, Russia has stated clearly that Iran’s absence will prevent the conference from delivering the intended results.

• K. P. Fabian
• January 20, 2014
• IDSA Comments

A global vision based on sustainable resource use for global prosperity can also overcome trust deficit within the BRICS grouping.

• Mukul Sanwal
• April 12, 2013
• IDSA Comments