Will the Indus Water Treaty Survive? The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is the most significant confidence-building measure between India and Pakistan. Despite the wars and hostilities, the IWT has functioned well since it was signed in 1960. However, one cannot ignore the challenges of future supplies of fresh water between the two countries. The article delves into a historical account of how the treaty came about, the salient features of the treaty and examines whether ‘water rationality’ will continue to govern the riparian relationship or whether ‘water sharing’ will open up a new front of contentious politics. Uttam Kumar Sinha , Arvind Gupta , Ashok K. Behuria September 2012 Strategic Analysis
Strategy and Tactics of the Indian Maoists: An Analysis Naxals of the Communist Party of India (CPI) (Maoist), better known as Maoists, characterised more than once by the Indian prime minister as the gravest threat to our internal security, have been continuously fine-tuning their strategies and tactics in order to maintain their relevance. On the other hand, the state too has been making concerted efforts by taking ‘security and development’ measures to diminish, if not altogether defeat, the challenge posed by the rebels to the Indian state. V.K. Ahluwalia September 2012 Strategic Analysis
Bangladesh–India Relations, Challenges and Prospects The relations between Bangladesh and India are important and have a strong historic basis. The prospects for these relations to grow in strength are indeed enormous if they are pursued for mutual benefit and with mutual respect. Our geographical proximity, cultural affinity and shared history should form the parameters of our relations. Begum Khaleda Zia MP September 2012 Strategic Analysis
Legitimacy Crisis and ‘Popular Uprisings’ in North Africa The recent wind of ‘popular uprisings’ blowing across North Africa, most notably Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Libya, is monumental and unprecedented. Indeed, the world was taken aback by these uprisings. Despite notable contextual variations in the triggers and accelerators of the uprisings, which largely account for the divergent trajectories and outcomes, a common denominator seems to be the all-pervasive legitimacy crisis, or better still, the negative legitimacy, in these countries. J. Shola Omotola September 2012 Strategic Analysis
Space Sustainability: Consent to Security Insurance On 6 June 2012 the European Union (EU) launched a multilateral diplomatic process to discuss and negotiate an International Code of Conduct (CoC) for outer space. This CoC is designed as a complementary mechanism for the existing framework and for ensuring the security, safety and sustainability of all outer space activities. Space sustainability is about ensuring that outer space is used for the advancement of society and providing society with the various benefits of space technologies. Ajey Lele September 2012 Strategic Analysis
China and Africa: The Relationship Matures The strum and drang that has accompanied China's arrival as a major economic and diplomatic actor in Africa has divided the continent into advocates, alarmists and analysts. 1 For the advocates, the integration of China into the African architecture is one to be promoted as an alternative to the tired policy pronouncements of an increasingly enervated West, not least because of the practical rationale that Beijing has the financial means and political will to invest in Africa's future. Chris Alden September 2012 Strategic Analysis
Rafale MMRCA Deal: Last Minute Glitches? The Rafale deal is especially important as it is IAF’s best bet to stem and even reverse the recent and continuous fall in the combat aircraft squadrons fielded. Vivek Kapur August 30, 2012 IDSA Comments
Don’t Shoot the Messenger: The ‘Un-Social’ Strategy The raging controversy on social media regulation post the violence in Assam has left the government in a losing perception battle. It is time to engage with the new media and exploit its potential to communicate strategically and not shoot the messenger Shruti Pandalai August 28, 2012 IDSA Comments
Japan, South Korean War Memories and Territorial Disputes: A Dangerous Mix Despite the generational change, the war memories continue to adversely affect foreign policy and feelings of slight, disrespect, and disparagement could well assume a latent credence that ignites national outrage and dislocates the fragile power equilibrium in the region. Preeti Nalwa August 27, 2012 IDSA Comments
Japan-China stand-off over Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands The rise of nationalism in both Japan and China and the sovereignty issue over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea is a highly explosive mix, perhaps even more so than the South China Sea island and territorial disputes. R. S. Kalha August 27, 2012 IDSA Comments