Peak Oil and Implications for India The basic point is that crude oil is a finite resource. Hence, the issue is not ‘if’ crude oil peaks and availability declines, but ‘when’ it peaks and starts its decline. Peak oil is the theoretical point in time at which oil production peaks and begins to fall. Here we refer only to peaking of conventional oil. S.C.N. Jatar January 2013 Strategic Analysis
India’s Growing Energy Woes The power blackouts on 30 July 2012, first in north India and again in north, north-east and eastern India, which plunged seven northern Indian states into darkness for several hours, disrupting normal life, underline the critical state of the country's energy security. Apart from the discomfort and inconvenience to residents, several essential services such as water supply, city transport systems (including the metro and national railways), mining, health and banking and financial sectors, came to a standstill for hours. Shebonti Ray Dadwal January 2013 Strategic Analysis
Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir—A Buffer State in the Making? One cannot deny the inexorable advantage that geography has given Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Being the only link between the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and Pakistan, PoK is truly the ‘umbilical cord’—a bond that is symbolical of the very deep relationship between the two countries. The PRC has at various forums asserted that it only has an economic interest in PoK and has openly denied the presence of People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel in PoK. Mandip Singh January 2013 Strategic Analysis
Early Trends from Xi Jinping’s Leadership Xi Jinping’s speeches and actions have elaborated upon three major themes: upholding the market economy, adopting measures against ‘formalism and bureaucracy’, and endorsing the Rule of Law. Prashant Kumar Singh December 28, 2012 IDSA Comments
LDP “Take(s) Back Japan”: The creation of a national military is on Abe’s agenda Although Shinzo Abe is aggressively pushing for revising the Constitution, the LDP’s ally, New Komeito, remains opposed to the idea arguing that it will change the nature and duties of Japan’s defence force. Shamshad A. Khan December 26, 2012 Issue Brief
Capital Acquisition Budget: Factors Affecting its Utilization It is almost customary to blame underutilization of the capital acquisition budget on defective planning, apathy of the civilian bureaucracy and procedural complexities. This view, however, does not take into account several factors that are external to the Ministry of Defence. Amit Cowshish December 26, 2012 IDSA Comments
Chinese Aerial Patrols Over Senkaku Islands China’s escalation of the Senkaku ownership dispute by commencing air patrols over the islands by OSA aircraft has the potential to trigger a war between China and Japan. Vivek Kapur December 24, 2012 Issue Brief
The Signs of Change in Syria Signals from Russia, China and even Iran that it is time for Assad to go combined with domestic dissensions and defections signal that the regime is finally cracking up. Agarwal, Rajeev December 24, 2012 IDSA Comments
Sino-Indian Relations: Are Trade Issues Likely To Cause Even More Problems? The Indian political class should seriously ponder without engaging in fruitless ideological debates – for we may be leaving ourselves with no choice – whether to acquiesce to a China-dominated commercial and economic landscape in Asia. R. S. Kalha December 24, 2012 IDSA Comments
The Challenges Before Shinzo Abe Rebuilding Japan’s foreign policy will be another challenge for the Abe Administration, especially in view of the rising tension between Japan and its neighbouring states - China and South Korea – over territorial disputes. Pranamita Baruah December 20, 2012 IDSA Comments
