South Korea relives the Yeonpyeong attack by North Korea The people of Yeonpyeong Island remember with trepidation the devastating attack of November 2010. Since the Cheonan incident in March 2010 and chastened by the attack last year, South Korea has beefed up its military arsenal and strengthened its defence preparedness. Rajaram Panda | November 29, 2011 | IDSA Comments
Maoists Down, but not Out Kishanji’s demise would put to rest any possibility of negotiations between the Maoists and the government in West Bengal. His killing in an encounter, no doubt a serious blow, does not practically undermine the Maoists’ capabilities either in West Bengal or at the pan-India level. However, his unique organizational ability shall be missed. P. V. Ramana | November 29, 2011 | IDSA Comments
The Ghost of Chemical Weapons in the Arab Spring Presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei tweeted that ‘Tear gas with nerve agent has been used against the Tahrir Square demonstrators’. This raises the suspicion of use of chemical weapons in the ongoing struggle for democracy in West Asia. This commentary analyses the relevance of chemical weapons in the Arab Spring. Ajey Lele | November 29, 2011 | IDSA Comments
What are friends for? The supply of restricted items to Chashma via China Coming close on the heels of the Chinese decision to build two nuclear power plants at Karachi as well as the continued assistance to the construction of nuclear reactors at Chashma, Xun Wang’s case raises the worrying spectre of spotty Chinese implementation of and compliance with international export control regulations. Arun Vishwanathan | November 29, 2011 | IDSA Comments
Time to Act on the Defence Industry Front International economic circumstances are propitious for India and Indian defence companies to strike deals that would help reduce dependence on foreign sources for defence needs. Ramesh Phadke | November 29, 2011 | IDSA Comments
IAEA Report on Iran: Storm before the Lull Despite reports of deliberations of war in anticipation of and later publication of the latest IAEA report on Iran’s nuclear programme, the November 18 IAEA resolution has desisted from referring the issue to the UNSC. New set of unilateral sanctions on its oil sector by US, Britain, and Canada announced on November 21 though have further increased the economic stakes for Iran. S. Samuel C. Rajiv | November 25, 2011 | IDSA Comments
The MFN Debate in Pakistan’s Urdu Press: Sign of cracks? The importance of the MFN status issue lies in the debate that the agreement has initiated in Pakistan, which could influence both the internal political structures of the country as well as the way it deals with its neighbours. Shamshad A. Khan , Amit Julka | November 23, 2011 | IDSA Comments
China’s Diplomatic Folly The East Asian Summit was a rude awakening, for not one country spoke up on behalf of China on the issue of disputes in the South China Sea. R. S. Kalha | November 23, 2011 | IDSA Comments
F-35 is not an Ideal Choice for India F-35 is not an ideal choice because of the delay in its developmental schedule, a tight production line, prohibitive cost, India’s own efforts to jointly develop and produce a fifth generation fighter with Russia, and little technological or industrial benefits that would accrue. Laxman Kumar Behera | November 23, 2011 | IDSA Comments
The Miasmic Memo Byzantine intrigues are nothing new in the sordid world of Pakistan’s power politics. Sushant Sareen | November 23, 2011 | IDSA Comments
