Stress-Test for Chinese Restraint: China Evaluates Russia’s Use of Force The article discusses if China will be inspired by its strategic partner Russia to use force as an instrument of its foreign policy. After a pro et con discussion the authors find that the disincentives created by the Russian example are likely to convince China that it should continue to show restraint under the ‘peaceful development’ formula, and avoid military adventures. The East Asian Peace is thus not seriously threatened, at least not by China—for now. Stein Tønnesson , Pavel K. Baev | March 2017 | Strategic Analysis
Green growth: ideology, political economy and the alternatives By the 1970s, the idea of development had lost much of its swagger and bite. Environmental degradation, in particular, ballooned into a global anxiety. Soon enough, development enthusiasts found themselves in a bind. Could economic prosperity be pursued ‘as if nature did not matter’? The World Commission on Environment and Development (also known as the Brundtland Commission) in a much celebrated report in 1987 sought to overcome the development–environment impasse by talking up the term ‘sustainable development’. Rohan D’Souza | March 2017 | Strategic Analysis
UNSC Resolution 2321 and the DPRK? In a strong response to the nuclear warhead test of Pyongyang on September 9, 2016, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at its 7821st meeting, held on November 30, 2016, adopted Resolution 2321 (2016)—officially known as S/RES/2321—imposing fresh sanctions on the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea). The Resolution specifically imposes restrictions on the DPRK’s exports that assist Pyongyang in generating revenue for its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Jagannath P. Panda | March 2017 | Strategic Analysis
Bangladesh and the Rohingya: Implications of Refugee Re-location to Thengar Char Island Bangladesh may be able to manage the Rohingya refugee problem only as a short-term expedient, albeit with considerable economic implications. Gautam Sen | February 28, 2017 | IDSA Comments
Whither the Mexican Air Force Combat Fleet? The main threat to Mexico comes from illegal privately-operated aircraft which are heavily involved in smuggling. The inability of the Mexican Air Force to guarantee the integrity of its own airspace is therefore a matter of concern. Sanjay Badri-Maharaj | February 28, 2017 | IDSA Comments
Rebooting the Defence Budget There is a strong case for abandoning the present approach of looking at the defence budget through the narrow prism of allocation and utilisation, and instead focus on outcomes. Amit Cowshish | February 28, 2017 | IDSA Comments
Trump and Israeli Settlements Expansion It is in the US interest not to encourage Israeli policies that could possibly lead to further radicalisation of Palestinians. Gautam Sen | February 22, 2017 | IDSA Comments
An Analysis of the Internal Security Budget 2017-18 For the financial year 2017-18, the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) has been allocated Rs. 83,823 crore, a hike of around 11.5 per cent over that of the previous year. Though the Union government has been providing substantial budget support to the MHA to aid its reform and modernisation programs, the ministry’s efforts to bring about desired reforms have shown mixed results so far. Pushpita Das | February 21, 2017 | IDSA Comments
Gorkhas of the Indian Army and India-Nepal Relations This commentary is inspired by the Annual Gorkha Brigade Conference held at New Delhi on 11 February 2017 and the unique relationship between India and Nepal that this military connection underpins. Vikrant Deshpande | February 17, 2017 | IDSA Comments
India – UAE Relations: New Dimension to Strategic Partnership As India seeks to enhance economic engagement and deepen security cooperation with the Gulf, it finds a willing partner in the UAE. Meena Singh Roy , Md. Muddassir Quamar | February 17, 2017 | Issue Brief
