Cryptocurrencies and the Regulators Dilemma This special feature explores the mechanics and attributes which have led to the steep rise in the popularity of cryptocurrencies, delves into the risks they pose to the user and the state, and evaluates the opportunities, risks and policy options for India. Munish Sharma August 01, 2017 Special Feature
Transfer of Defence Technology: Moving beyond Self-Reliance towards Technological Superiority Foreign collaborations optimised for profit, risk-sharing and a common goal of achieving technological superiority could well enable India to break into the global market in select areas. Kevin A. Desouza July 31, 2017 Issue Brief
13th Five-Year Defence Plan (2017-22) – A Re-Run of the Past Achieving the intended outcomes of the 13th five-year defence plan is critically dependent on the ability of the Ministry of Finance to increase the defence budget by at least 100 per cent from next year onward. Amit Cowshish July 31, 2017 IDSA Comments
Way Forward to a final Naga Settlement Maximum autonomy may be accorded in ethnic, cultural and developmental realms to autonomous councils for all Naga areas in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and even Assam, through suitable amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Gautam Sen July 31, 2017 IDSA Comments
The New Arthashastra: A Security Strategy for India, edited by Gurmeet Kanwal The clamour for a national security strategy has become part of a constant refrain that accompanies every debate on India’s strategic culture or national security outlook. This repeated call for a security strategy stems from a perceived lack of clarity for functionaries within the government as well as the larger audience. An important constituent amongst the latter are a large number of countries that increasingly look upon India as an important partner in the evolving geopolitical environment. Vivek Chadha July 2017 Journal of Defence Studies
Assessing Maritime Power in the Asia-Pacific, edited by Greg Kennedy and Harsh V. Pant Since taking over in 2009, the Obama Administration considered Asia to be significant for power cooperation and for establishing an international order based on accepted rules and norms. This started the journey of a much-debated concept that was first called the ‘Back to Asia’ strategy and later re-termed as a ‘Rebalance’ or ‘Pivot to Asia’. In November 2011, then American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in an article titled ‘America’s Pacific Century’, reiterated the importance of Asia-Pacific for the United States (US). Sarabjeet Singh Parmar July 2017 Journal of Defence Studies
Is the GCC Crisis De-escalating? While the GCC crisis seems to be de-escalating, there is no end in sight as yet. K. P. Fabian July 26, 2017 IDSA Comments
Air Support for Internal Security Operations: What India can Learn from Trinidad and Tobago Air power has long been recognised as a useful asset in internal security operations, running the full gamut from militarised counter-insurgency (CI) and counter-terrorist (CT) operations to the mundane task of crowd control. In the last 15 years, the archipelagic state of Trinidad and Tobago has made extensive use of air assets for internal security operations, with mixed results. In the process, some lessons have been learnt and some serious mistakes made that can be instructive for even large countries such as India. Sanjay Badri-Maharaj July 2017 Journal of Defence Studies
International Military Exercises: An Indian Perspective International military exercises are an extension of military training for partner countries and a significant military diplomacy tool. Since 2012, the Indian armed forces have engaged 23 countries in 93 international military exercises. This article analyses the data regarding these exercises in terms of the participating countries and services. Outlining the benefits and possible pitfalls of participation in international military exercises, it suggests a holistic policy review on the subject. Kishore Kumar Khera July 2017 Journal of Defence Studies
Formulation of a European Union Budget The moot point is whether member countries are clear about the EU’s economic dysfunctions and the degree of economic unification they desire for surmounting them. Gautam Sen July 24, 2017 IDSA Comments