The present energy crisis in Bangladesh is partly due to over-dependence on gas which fulfils more than 70 per cent of its energy needs. The present gas deficit against the national demand on a daily basis is expected to increase further in the future. The crisis will deepen unless a greater share of indigenous coal is included in the energy mix. The geological and social constraints of an over-populated fertile agricultural land area remain an obstacle to large-scale coal mining and this has to be addressed rationally.

• Badrul Imam |
• March 2011 |
• Strategic Analysis

(ed.), Penguin Viking, India, 2009, pp. 201, Rs. 450, ISBN 9780670083695

• Arvind Gupta |
• March 2011 |
• Strategic Analysis

Since the overthrow of its last ruler Siad Barre in 1990, Somalia's conditions have worsened and, barring a few islands of peace, are degenerating rapidly; its waves of insecurity surge beyond its shores. Piracy off Somalia is a consequence of its present volatile insecurity on shore, and 20 years of conflict resolution efforts have come to naught. As piracy increases and anti-piracy operations intensify, efforts at finding lasting peace on shore have run aground.

• Frank Charles van Rooyen PB MMM ndc(K) |
• March 2011 |
• Strategic Analysis

The Afghan war has a long way to go. The situation has come to a point where with every passing month one wonders where the war is headed. There can be no doubt that it will be long before Afghanistan will be at peace with itself. At this moment, there does not seem to be any solution to the Afghan crisis. The Taliban and their allies, both Afghan and foreign, have notably succeeded in transforming the war to their advantage.

• Vishal Chandra |
• January 2011 |
• Strategic Analysis

India is contesting elections for the non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term, 2011–12. If elected, it will return to the Security Council after a gap of 18 years. During this long hiatus, the geopolitical environment in the world has changed dramatically. As a member of the UNSC, India will be called upon to deliberate over a host of new issues and threats to international security.

• Arvind Gupta |
• January 2011 |
• Strategic Analysis

Routledge, Oxon, 2009, 256 pp., $120.00, ISBN 978-0-415-49103-7

• Kapil Patil |
• January 2011 |
• Strategic Analysis

Migration, a worldwide phenomenon, has often been seen as beneficial for both the sending and receiving countries. However, post-9/11, the phenomenon is seen as a mixed blessing. It is also being realised that it is impossible to check illegal migration unless the sending country cooperates. In South Asia, India has been at the receiving end of the problem of illegal immigration from Bangladesh. This paper argues that such illegal migration is posing a threat to internal security because the issue has not been properly securitised.

• Anand Kumar |
• January 2011 |
• Strategic Analysis

Oxford University Press and Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, Oxford and New York, 2009, ISBN 978-0-19-801692-2

• Kalyani Unkule |
• January 2011 |
• Strategic Analysis

In recent years, Iran has come to acquire a significant place in the West Asian region with the ability to influence regional politics. For India, relations with Iran are vital. In the changed strategic environment, both India and Iran have been working towards improving their bilateral relations. However, there are several challenges, especially for India, in this regard. If the Iran-US confrontation intensifies, for example, India may find it difficult to pursue a smooth relationship with Iran.

• Ajey Lele , Meena Singh Roy |
• January 2011 |
• Strategic Analysis

• Gurinder Singh |
• January 2011 |
• Strategic Analysis