The Northern Sea Route: Smooth Sailing Ahead? Transit traffic on the Northern Sea Route (NSR) has increased considerably in the last few years, in relative terms. There is no clear pattern of transit cargo on the NSR and little indication that cargo owners or shipping companies have committed themselves to use of this sea route for the longer term. An important exception to this picture is the Yamal LNG (liquefied natural gas) project, which will be based on year-round use of the NSR. Administrative procedures have improved and escort fees have become competitive, but are not transparent. Arlid Moe | November 2014 | Strategic Analysis
Overview of Korea’s Arctic Policy Development In his Murmansk speech in 1987, Gorbachev proposed the Arctic as the shortest sea route linking Europe to the Far East and the Pacific Ocean, triggering a new perspective on the region.1 Since then, the 1991 Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS), referred to as the Finnish Initiative, has been created as a multilateral, non-binding agreement among Arctic states to protect the environment by monitoring, assessment, emergency preparedness/response, and conservation of the Arctic zone. Jong Deog Kim | November 2014 | Strategic Analysis
Exchange Rate Variation in Defence Contracts in India This Brief analyses industry demands and reviews existing regulations in IT and defence procurement markets, culminating with suggestions on a possible way forward for reforms that can avoid adverse implications of industry demands, particularly in view of their potential conflict with important policies fostering indigenisation. Sandeep Verma | October 31, 2014 | Issue Brief
Geo-strategic Implications of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank The US sees the establishment of the AIIB as an attempt by China to pull South- East Asian countries closer to its orbit and a soft-power play that promises economic benefits while refurbishing its image among its Asian neighbours. R. S. Kalha | October 31, 2014 | IDSA Comments
India’s Military Modernization: Challenges and Prospects, edited by Rajesh Basrur, Ajaya Kumar Das and Manjeet S. Pardesi The emergence of India as an Asian great power in line with its economic development in recent years is a matter of significant strategic interest regionally and globally. India’s unique position as the world’s most populous democracy, with its diverse societal mix combined with its central geostrategic position, places it at the core of Asian and Indo-Pacific Ocean economic and strategic considerations. Lee Cordner | October 2014 | Journal of Defence Studies
Dysfunctional Operating Environment in Defence: The Malaise There is no single agency in MoD to deal with these issues holistically. Generally, matters related to administrative powers are processed separately for each service by the administrative wings concerned with little concern for commonality. Amit Cowshish | October 27, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Impact of the Recommendations of the Standing Committee on Defence (14th Lok Sabha) on the Defence Budget In the run-up to the voting on the budget, detailed demands for grant(DDGs) presented by various ministries to the Parliament are examinedby the departmentally-related standing committees. As Parliamentcannot possibly examine more than 100 DDGs presented to it everyyear, these committees are required to examine them in detail and reportback to the Parliament. One such committee is the Standing Committeeon Defence. Amit Cowshish | October 2014 | Journal of Defence Studies
Nanotechnology: Current Global Trends and Future Military Applications for ‘Soldier as a System’ The last decade has witnessed unprecedented developments in the discovery of novel materials and their radically different properties at nano scales. Global efforts in research and development (R&D)in nanotechnology are being undertaken by many countries due to far-reaching benefits encompassing the entire arena of science and technology. The field of defence is likely to profit immensely by nanotechnology-enabled applications. Sanjiv Tomar | October 2014 | Journal of Defence Studies
ISIS in Central Asia There is no single factor cited for motivating Central Asians to join ISIS ranks. However, the search for employment and earnings remain the main driver. More than 4 million migrants (Uzbeks, Tajiks and Kyrgyz) engaged in low-paid jobs in Russia are vulnerable to the jihadi network. P. Stobdan | October 22, 2014 | Issue Brief
Dysfunctional Operating Environment in Defence: The Problem Widespread problems have made the operating environment ‘dysfunctional and inefficient’. Some of this is on account of inscrutable issues like ‘integration of the services with the MoD’ or ‘civil-military relations’ but, in large part, the immediate problem lies with MoD’s inability to resolve more mundane issues. Amit Cowshish | October 21, 2014 | IDSA Comments
