Involvement of Major Powers in Nepal Since the 1990s: Implications for India Nepal being a poor landlocked country with a fragile and unstable political system, major external powers providing aid and assistance to Nepal tend to carry an influence on domestic politics, foreign policy, and the socio-economic agenda of the government. These powers have divergent interests and do not coordinate their policies towards Nepal. While some external forces like the United States and China have hidden political and strategic interests, some others like the European Union are engaged in humanitarian issues. Nihar R. Nayak | January 2009 | Strategic Analysis
China’s New Confucianism: Politics and Everyday Life in a Changing Society Abanti Bhattacharya | January 2009 | Strategic Analysis
Making of the New Afghan National Army: Challenges and Prospects The paper attempts to examine diverse challenges to the making of the new Afghan National Army (ANA), and its future prospects. The issue assumes significance as the Taliban shift battle lines outside the Pashtun areas and there is growing difference among Western countries regarding the means and approaches to be used to stabilize Afghanistan. The paper is broadly divided into four sections. The first section seeks to identify and critically examine the role played by key institutional structures responsible for the training and mentoring of the new national army. Vishal Chandra | January 2009 | Strategic Analysis
A Military History of Modern China: From the Manchu Conquest to Tian’anmen Square Jagannath P. Panda | January 2009 | Strategic Analysis
Peace and Conflict: Reflections on Indian Thinking The Indian culture and civilization embodies a unique blend of peace and conflict trajectories. This historical legacy has indubitably moulded the course of our policy and action. However, there are aspects which are queried and contested. For instance, how do we reconcile the ambiguities and opposing claims on peacefulness in Indian lineage? The paper reflects afresh on some of these lingering contestations and decodes the historical transferences in the subcontinental thinking and popular imagination. Priyankar Upadhyaya | January 2009 | Strategic Analysis
Problems and Prospects of Combating Terrorist Financing in India Choking the flow of funds to terrorists is one of the vital aspects of combating terrorism. While its importance has been realized post 9/11 by the international community, counter measures for terrorist financing remain largely ineffective. In India, more resources and effort need to be devoted to launch a financial war against terrorists. In this context, the article attempts to establish the significance of emerging challenges in denying funds to terrorists globally and recommends a focused national response by outlining an integrated strategy. S. K. Saini | January 2009 | Strategic Analysis
The Great Powers and the Sub-Continent: A New Phase? The emergence of Bangladesh as a sovereign independent republic and the manner in which it so emerged has radically altered the relative position of the Great Powers in South Asia. The change has been particularly remarkable for the two Super Powers, though the other three Great Powers also have been affected in one way or the other by the developments of 1971. Sisir Gupta | January 2009 | Strategic Analysis
Evolution of the Road Network in Northeast India: Drivers and Brakes The Northeast, strategically important yet economically underdeveloped, has been witnessing spurts of road building activities since independence. The need to establish connection with the rest of India following partition, the Chinese aggression, economic development, and trans-border connectivity are some of the main drivers which have been impelling the central government to construct roads in the region since independence. Pushpita Das | January 2009 | Strategic Analysis
