Kenneth Waltz R.I.P. (1924-2013) Kenneth Waltz hailed as the ‘King of thought’ was a towering thinker in the field of IR. His two most important works, Man, The State, and War (1959) and Theory of International Politics (1979), provided a framework within which emerged the principal debate in IR. Rajesh Rajagopalan | May 15, 2013 | IDSA Comments
Lure your enemy onto the roof, then take away the ladder In the context of recent Chinese assertiveness in Ladakh, it is important to not only understand Sun Tsu but possibly also to follow him. Mandip Singh | May 13, 2013 | IDSA Comments
Pakistan elections: Implications for domestic and foreign policy Nawaz Sharif having expressed his intentions of improving relations with India will try to give trade a big push. Yet, one should not expect policy changes related to terrorism targeted at India or its aversion to India’s presence in Afghanistan. Sumita Kumar | May 13, 2013 | IDSA Comments
Pakistan Elections: Making Sense of the Mandate The new government to be led by Nawaz Sharif will have to tread a very difficult path to manage, if not solve, the monumental problems that confront the Pakistani state and society. Sushant Sareen | May 13, 2013 | IDSA Comments
Australia-China Strategic Partnership Timely as it was, the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s five-day China visit may be considered a success on all fronts. Leading the ‘strongest Australian delegation ever’ to China, Gillard pledged to give the relationship a ‘concrete shape’, which in Chinese Premier Li Kequing’s words, is already ‘comprehensive, constructive and cooperative’. This issue brief analyses Julia Gillard’s China visit in the context of rising Australia-China bonhomie. Rahul Mishra | May 13, 2013 | Issue Brief
Chinese lessons in diplomacy The External Affairs Minister has returned back from his visit to China. Despite this seemingly happy ending to the sordid border incident, inconvenient questions about China’s intentions and assertiveness persist. Arvind Gupta | May 12, 2013 | IDSA Comments
The TTP Factor in Pakistani Elections What we are seeing in Pakistan is the ushering in of an anti-democratic Islamic order through the ballot box. What is more, the Pakistan Army has decided to also indirectly ensure that Islam is never “taken out of Pakistan”. P. K. Upadhyay | May 10, 2013 | IDSA Comments
Rockets in Maoist Arsenal Rockets in the Maoist arsenal may seem, presently, to have nuisance value. However, the possibility of the Maoists acquiring greater capability to fire the rockets with accuracy cannot be ruled out. Many strategic and static locations would come under threat with disastrous consequences. P. V. Ramana | May 10, 2013 | IDSA Comments
Ifs and buts of Pakistan’s coming elections With an expected fractured poll results, Pakistan is further heading towards uncertainty. The question is not so much as to who forms the next government but more importantly on how it functions. Chances are that the May 11 elections could well end up making Pakistan further ungovernable. Sushant Sareen | May 09, 2013 | IDSA Comments
FDI in Defence: Lessons for Developing Countries Most developed economies are already feeling threatened by increasing equity investments sponsored by foreign government-owned and/ or foreign government-controlled entities in the defence and high-tech industries. A coordinated government response for supervision of foreign investments will emerge on the horizon sooner than later. Sandeep Verma | May 07, 2013 | IDSA Comments
