Taiwan’s Quest for World Health Assembly Participation Taiwan’s striving for institutional recognition has made its campaign to obtain observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA) a distinct case in international relations (IR). The first section briefly introduces framing as an analytical approach governing the arrangement of this research. The second section articulates how Taiwan’s utilization of framing has shaped public opinion and helped advance its interests. The third section adopts ‘a scorecard approach’ to evaluate Taiwan’s efforts to engage with the WHA comprehensively. Sáng Huỳnh Tâm January 2022 Strategic Analysis
How Can Missile Defences Affect Nuclear Deterrence? An Offence-Defence Theoretical Perspective How will ballistic missile defences affect nuclear deterrence? This is a question as old as the nuclear revolution but has attained significance in the current security environment wherein nuclear-armed states are increasingly pursuing development and deployment of BMD and their doctrinal integration with strategic forces and postures. Yet, the advent of BMD is bereft of conceptual clarity as their effects on nuclear deterrence is yet to be aptly understood. A. Vinod Kumar January 2022 Strategic Analysis
Decoding Pakistan’s Cartographic Aggression Against India Territorial disputes between India and Pakistan got a new dimension with the release of a new political map by the latter on 4 August 2020, apparently in response to India’s move to administratively reorganize the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Widely described as ‘cartographic aggression’ against India, the new map lays claim over many parts of India. The article traces the historicity of map-making as a nation-building project for Pakistan and seeks to decipher the strategic objectives behind this move. Swati Sucharita Nanda , Sarfaraz Alam January 2022 Strategic Analysis
India’s Stance on the ‘Asian NATO’: Between ‘Status’ and ‘Security’ Dilemmas ‘Security’ and ‘status’ complexities are critical impediments for any state’s foreign policy; and India is no different. This article argues that as the China threat looms large, New Delhi will not be in complete repudiation of an ‘Asian NATO’ (or “Indo-Pacific NATO”), despite strategically refraining from being party to a definitive military alliance and an age-old non-alignment principle. However, India’s support will be contingent on the future trajectory of its ties with Beijing. Jagannath P. Panda January 2022 Strategic Analysis
Southeast Asian Defence Markets: Opportunities for India A larger exchange of defence business between India and Southeast Asia may consolidate India’s position in the regional security architecture, and also forge greater political alignment with important ASEAN partners. Akash Sahu December 29, 2021 IDSA Comments
The Biden Administration and the Future of ‘No First Use’ Although the ideas of nuclear arms control, nuclear security and nuclear disarmament have featured in several US official statements and joint statements with other countries, will US adopt the ‘No First Use’ policy, remains to be seen. Rajiv Nayan December 28, 2021 IDSA Comments
Various Facets of the ‘Traffic Light Coalition’ in Germany With few convergences among partners, the path of the “traffic light coalition” headed by Olaf Scholz is laden with challenges, but also offers spaces for positive action. With several new faces in key positions, its success would lie in maintaining continuity, and tweaking it to accommodate necessary changes when required. Swasti Rao December 23, 2021 IDSA Comments
Putin’s Visit to India: Launch of a Revitalised Partnership President Putin’s short but highly consequential visit to India and the launch of the 2+2 format have imbued new dynamism into the bilateral partnership. There might be a few areas of divergence between the two sides but spheres of convergence are much greater. Ashok Sajjanhar December 16, 2021 IDSA Comments
Pentagon Report and the Chinese Nuclear Forces Assessment The rapid increase in the nuclear forces of China, as revealed in the 2021 Pentagon Report, is a matter of serious concern. Several countries are undertaking exercises to ascertain the strategic and security implications of the feared expansion of the Chinese nuclear stockpile. Rajiv Nayan December 14, 2021 Issue Brief
Strengthening India–Vietnam Friendship Considering that the year 2021 marks the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam, the upcoming visit of Mr Vuong Dinh Hue, the current Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly, to India is likely to strengthen India–Vietnam relationship further. P.K. Chakravorty December 14, 2021 IDSA Comments
