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Geographic position, climatic features, and geological structures cause natural disasters in almost cyclical order in China. Man-made disasters such as the SARS epidemic add a new dimension to the over all woe of a nation which is home to 18.5 per cent of the world population. The paper explores the extent of the face lift achieved by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from once being known as the “Land of Famines” and the “Land of Death”, and, in particular, the positive contribution of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the whole gamut of disasters.

• Sheo Nandan Pandey |
• January 2012 |
• Journal of Defence Studies

The People’s Republic of China has been afflicted by natural calamities right from its inception in 1949, including severe river flooding, excess snowfall, cyclones, tsunamis and earthquakes. The consequential human suffering is further aggravated by the heavy population density. The mammoth 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province and the resultant loss of life and property exposed the ill-preparedness of the Chinese government machinery like never before. Nevertheless, the Chinese State Council rose admirably to the occasion.

• Kamlesh K. Agnihotri |
• January 2012 |
• Journal of Defence Studies

The March 2011 triple disaster in Japan obligated a response from the US, its long-time ally. The US disaster assistance to Japan went beyond the customary nature of the countries’ relationship, and was conspicuous for the scale of military involvement that was embedded in the US-Japan alliance. The success of the US asistance programme Operation Tomodachi is attributed to interoperability between the defence forces of the two allies.

• Preeti Nalwa |
• January 2012 |
• Journal of Defence Studies

South-east Asia is the epicentre of frequent disasters of varying intensity. The damage to life and property caused by these disasters is comparable to that caused by war. Disasters disrupt the national economy and social development. Besides, the world has shrunk and news about the hardship suffered by the people is rapidly disseminated. As such, the management of disasters has become a key concern of governments confronted with an increasingly aware civil society and a shorter reaction time.

• Udai Bhanu Singh |
• January 2012 |
• Journal of Defence Studies

India will need to factor the growing PLA presence in and around Pakistan and be prepared to engage an increasingly confident Pakistan propped by Chinese support and driven by Chinese interests in the region.

• Mandip Singh |
• January 17, 2012 |
• IDSA Comments

After assessing the weaknesses and gaps in Chinese capabilities and highlighting the positions of advantage that India enjoys, this essay proposes a strategy for a strong riposte against any Chinese adventurism.

• Lalit Kumar |
• January 17, 2012 |
• Policy Brief

China’s refusal of visa to an IAF officer from Arunachal Pradesh, while aimed at scoring a political point, creates obstacles towards the very confidence-building that China hopes to see in the eastern sector.

• Namrata Goswami |
• January 17, 2012 |
• IDSA Comments

If the army is not in favour of a coup, attempts could be made to defuse the tension through a compromise between the army and the government, with some leadership change acting as a face-saver.

• Arvind Gupta |
• January 16, 2012 |
• IDSA Comments

If the army is not in favour of a coup, attempts could be made to defuse the tension through a compromise between the army and the government, with some leadership change acting as a face-saver.

• Arvind Gupta |
• January 16, 2012 |
• IDSA Comments

S.M. Krishna’s visit to Israel has added the crucial political content to one of India’s most significant bilateral relationships of the post-Cold War era.

• S. Samuel C. Rajiv |
• January 16, 2012 |
• Issue Brief