Weaponisation of Space and India’s Options During Cold War era, space became an essential adjunct for war-fighting on the ground, without becoming another theatre of combat. While militarization of space proceeded rapidly, the weaponisation of space was avoided. Because the weaponisation of space was avoided during the Cold War, it does not necessarily follow that weaponisation will continue to be avoided in a new era of asymmetric warfare. We can improve protection of satellites against some threats, but satellites will remain easy targets for space weapons designed to kill on impact. Space has been free from warfare. Deepak Sharma | July 2010 | Journal of Defence Studies
Expanding the Horizons of Indian Foreign Policy Like NAM, neither the IBSA nor any other forum will be permanent or best, though they are just one step in hopefully a direction to find a better and just global political order. Mehmet Ozkan | July 19, 2010 | IDSA Comments
Strategic Stalemate in Afghanistan Since the US and its allies have no additional troops to contribute for the fight against the radical extremist forces in Afghanistan, the net must be enlarged to include military contributions from Afghanistan’s regional neighbours, perhaps under a UN flag. Gurmeet Kanwal | July 19, 2010 | IDSA Comments
India needs to engage with the real decision makers in Pakistan India should try and broaden its engagement with all sections of Pakistani society which is getting differentiated due to the simultaneous multiple crises in that country. Arvind Gupta | July 19, 2010 | IDSA Comments
Successful launch of PSLVC15 The PSVLC15 launch has enhanced India’s capability in the field of cartography and space reconnaissance and demonstrated its capabilities in the small satellites market. Ajey Lele | July 16, 2010 | IDSA Comments
Tumultuous Phase ahead in Japanese Politics as DPJ loses Polls in Upper House In a strong rebuke to the Kan government, voters deprived the DPJ and its tiny ally of a majority less than a year after the party swept to power. Rajaram Panda | July 16, 2010 | IDSA Comments
Dynamics of Rules and Regulations in Defence During application of prescribed procedures, many contradictions and ambiguities crop up, resulting in delays in decision making and, in some cases, to even faulty decisions. Narinder Gupta | July 16, 2010 | IDSA Comments
The Nuclear Posture Review: Not a Credible Game-Changer for Nuclear North Korea The Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) emphasis two realities, first the challenge of nuclear terrorism and proliferation; and second, it affirms the end of the Cold War rivalries. But the “resetting” of relationship with Moscow had created an enemy vacuum for the U.S. To fill this gap, North Korea has been constructed as an enemy which justifies the continuity of the “nuclear umbrella” in the Northeast Asian region. But as an asymmetrical, surrogate enemy it is actually the pretext to maintain ‘critical bases’ in Northeast Asia which functions as hubs for U.S. global military power projection. Preeti Nalwa | July 2010 | Journal of Defence Studies
Human Resource Development Strategy for Sub-Conventional Warfare Army personnel trained and equipped for conventional warfare find themselves at a disadvantage when deployed for sub-conventional operations. The advancement in technology, changing warfare concepts, induction of sophisticated weapons and support equipments and need to handle far too many variables demand deliberate efforts in ensuring recruitment of desired human resource and their training in the army to suit the requirements of conventional as well as sub-conventional warfare. K C Dixit | July 2010 | Journal of Defence Studies
Saudi King Abdullah’s visit to the United States While Saudi Arabia intends to increase its regional role and influence, the US would like to ensure that its interests in West Asia are protected with the help of friends like Saudi Arabia. Prasanta Kumar Pradhan | July 16, 2010 | IDSA Comments
