The Maritime Tiger: Exploring South Korea’s Interests and Role in the Arctic South Korea is not a traditional Arctic state, but it has several key interests in the region. This article explores the sources of those interests and the country’s commercial activities in the Arctic in the areas of shipping, shipbuilding and hydrocarbons. Since the country’s polar interests transcend commerce, however, attention is also paid to the importance of science and research and development in Korean culture. Mia M. Bennett | November 2014 | Strategic Analysis
The Arctic and India: Strategic Awareness and Scientific Engagement A global temperature rise is being experienced earliest and most intensely in the Arctic region. The changes are worrying but the commercial interests are equally enticing. The Arctic is witnessing the convergence of the geophysical, the geo-economic and the geostrategic in strange and dramatic ways, making it a paradox and an antithesis. For India, the Arctic is distant when it comes to economic interests and near when it comes to climate change. Uttam Kumar Sinha , Arvind Gupta | 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
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
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
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