Virus As Bio-Weapon: Contested Origins of Novel Coronavirus It might be difficult to prove any weaponisation intent or man-made origins to the SARS-CoV-2. Yet, the mass deaths and disruption caused by the virus forebodes imminent exploitation of biological agents for political ends. A. Vinod Kumar | May 12, 2020 | IDSA Comments
RMB Goes Digital: Economic Imperatives or Ambitions? Riding the technology wave, China eyes global dominance of RMB as a reserve currency and a favourable international monetary environment for its economic development. Munish Sharma | May 12, 2020 | IDSA Comments
Draft DPP 2020: Post-Contract Management Redrafting the chapter on post-contract management, expatiating the concept of contract operating officers and clearly defining their role and responsibilities vis-à-vis the other agencies, could go a long way in serving its purpose. Amit Cowshish | May 08, 2020 | IDSA Comments
Climate Change and State Responses The spectre of climate change and increased global warming has spurred more action in recent years. However, with the global economic outlook not likely to pick up any time soon, the temptation to opt for cheaper but dirtier fuels could further complicate the climate change negotiations. Shebonti Ray Dadwal , Nihar R. Nayak | May 06, 2020 | Issue Brief
Time to Call Pakistan’s Bluff In the last 20 months of his rule, Prime Minister Imran Khan has not only failed to solve his people’s problems but also has made the life of the common man miserable. S.K. Sharma | May 05, 2020 | IDSA Comments
Reimagining Think Tanks in Times of Pandemic It is time that the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic are converted into an opportunity to upgrade and evolve the present method of human interaction prevalent in think tanks across the world. Vivek Chadha | May 04, 2020 | Issue Brief
COVID-19: Projecting the National Security Dimensions of Pandemics National security—in its traditional sense—is associated with the protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a state, as well as its critical interests abroad. However, the lethal nature of pandemics is increasingly raising scientific awareness about their national security dimensions. Segun Oshewolo , Agaptus Nwozor | May 2020 | Strategic Analysis
COVID-19: A Testing Time for UAE–India Relations? A Perspective from Abu Dhabi Responses against COVID-19 have become one of the defining aspects of the modern-day state system that is testing the organic capacity of nations in particular and the international community in general. Even as most have put in place country-specific counter-COVID-19 measures, there is no denying the fact that the pandemic is an existential crisis that can only be dealt with through national efforts combined with substantial regional and international cooperation. Arabinda Acharya | May 2020 | Strategic Analysis
COVID-19 and New Age Technology Humanity is much better equipped today to mitigate the loss in life and collateral economic damage resulting from a pandemic, as demonstrated through the deployment of new-age tools such as artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning, neural networks and internet of things. Harish Pillai | May 01, 2020 | IDSA Comments
Impact of COVID-19 on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The global onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic continues as uncertainty swirls around the global economy signalling a slowdown. It is still uncertain how long it will take to arrest the spread of the pandemic and normalcy to be restored. Under the prevailing situation, health has rightly been on the top of the agenda of all the countries which would require scaling up the available health facilities for a robust response. Experts say, until there is a medical solution in the form of vaccine to COVID-19, the health issues will remain the top priority for the governments. Md. Manuar Mukarram | May 2020 | Strategic Analysis
