Prime Minister Bhattarai’s Visit to India: Renewing Ties in a Critical Transition Phase Bhattarai’s visit was historic not for the bilateral issues that were discussed but because it provided an opportunity for meaningful re-engagement between India and the UCPN(M). Padmaja Murthy October 25, 2011 IDSA Comments
A Consideration of Sino-Indian Conflict There is considerable interest in a possible conflict with China. However, little discussion exists in the open domain on conflict possibilities. This Brief attempts to fill this gap by dilating upon conflict scenarios along the spectrum of conflict. It brings out the need for limitation to conflict and the necessity for a grand strategic approach towards China as against a military driven one. Ali Ahmed October 24, 2011 Issue Brief
Case Study of MV Suez and Anti Piracy Operations: Lessons for India and Pakistan A study of how the case of MV Suez a pirated vessel was handled would serve to provide some invaluable lessons on how India and Pakistan should join hands to take on this menace in the Indian Ocean. An otherwise well conducted rescue operations by the Pakistan navy, resulted in a near collision between PNS Babur and INS Godavari endangering the crew and the ships. Briefly put, the MV Suez was hijacked by the pirates who held the ship and its crew hostage while negotiating the ransom money for over ten months. R. S. Vasan October 2011 Journal of Defence Studies
Fault Lines in Pakistan’s Armed Forces: Impact on the Stability of the State Since the creation of Pakistan, the state has been bedevilled by one crisis after another. Over the last six decades, Pakistan has remained consistently dependant on its armed forces to create a nation state from an entity divided by ethnic, religious and social fault lines. Today, the fissures which divide the country have deepened and Pakistan now is on the verge of tearing itself apart. Dhruv C Katoch October 2011 Journal of Defence Studies
Need to Broaden the Scope of India-Bangladesh Engagement: Perspectives from Gangtok and Dhaka The people-to-people connectivity has the potential to actually transform the relationship between India and Bangladesh and take it to a higher level of cooperation and understanding. Shristi Pukhrem October 21, 2011 IDSA Comments
Increasing Chinese Footprint in India’s North West: What should India do? This commentary analyses the implications of the growing Chinese footprint in India’s North West region, particularly in Northern Afghanistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Mandip Singh October 21, 2011 IDSA Comments
Why Syria is Not Libya? After the death of Gaddafi one may wonder why Syria has had a safe escape from any action by the UN Security Council. There are several reasons why the response to Syria has been different from the Libyan case. Saurabh Mishra October 21, 2011 IDSA Comments
Reading the Veto on Syria The rare October 4 double veto by Russia and China on the draft resolution against Syria sponsored by France, Germany, Portugal, and UK condemning Syrian action on its civilian population has come to bolster the divide within the Security Council. Russia and China hinted that they may bring their own draft resolution but, at the moment, there is no sign of reconciliation or unanimity among the P5. Saurabh Mishra October 21, 2011 IDSA Comments
Andaman and Nicobar Command: From an Experiment to an Inspiration The Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Islands are India’s gateways to the east and their significance in its national security calculus is increasingly being realised, as they fit perfectly in the jigsaw puzzle of India’s ‘Look East Policy’. They allow India to project its benign power and influence in consonance with its emerging status and role in the region. They also provide an ideal springboard for India to play a far more effective role in the area. Pramod Sangwa October 2011 Journal of Defence Studies
Operation Neptune Spear and Role of Technology The US Special Forces undertook Operation Neptune Spear nicknamed “Geronimo” to kill Osama bin Laden on May 02, 2011. The importance of this operation is momentous. In the absence of any detailed disclosure by the US administration (till date) about the conduct of this operation, except the press conference held by intelligence officials immediately after the operation, it becomes difficult to study this operation in depth. On the other hand both multiple narratives of this operation are available in electronic and print media. Ajey Lele October 2011 Journal of Defence Studies