This issue features articles on UN peacekeeping operations; the Japanese Self-Defense Forces since their reorganisation in 2007; and the emerging Indian Ocean maritime security architecture under the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. Also included are a commentary on the latest Japanese Defence White Paper and four book reviews.

Contents

Editorial

Focus

United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Causes for Failure and Continuing Relevance
— A.K. Bardalai

Emerging Contours of Maritime Security Architecture under the Belt and Road Initiative
— Abhay Kumar Singh

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces: A Decade after Reorganisation
— Kishore Kumar Khera

Commentary

Defending Japan: Reviewing the 2018 White Paper
— Titli Basu

Book Reviews

The People Next Door: The Curious History of India’s Relations with Pakistan, by T.C.A. Raghavan
— Ghanshyam Katoch

Approach to Battle: Training the Indian Army during the Second World War, by Alan Jeffreys
— Alok Deb

How India Sees the World: Kautilya to the 21st Century,  by Shyam Saran
— Shrabana Barua

The Soul of Armies: Counterinsurgency Doctrine and Military Culture in the US and UK, by Austin Long
— Vivek Mishra