Strategic Analysis

Germany, Russia, and the Rise of Geo-Economics by Stephen F. Szabo

There is a growing tendency among many Western nations to defer to Germany the responsibility for dealing with an ever more recalcitrant Russia. Despite the perils involved, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with her Russian language skills and East German upbringing, has been obliging. Indeed, Russia’s policies towards the European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) often have their first port of call in Berlin.

Indian Ocean in Global Strategies Some Perspectives

“Whoever controls the Indian Ocean dominates Asia. This ocean is the key to the seven seas. In the twenty-first century the destiny of the world will be decided on its waters”. - Alfred Mahan

The prospects for conflict and/or cooperation in the Indian Ocean are affected by multi-dimensional factors. These prospects, however, have an immediate and direct influence and relationship with the security environment of the Indian Ocean and its littoral states; and most of the factors, in fact, arise out the strategic environment itself.

India’s Nuclear Situation: Where to?

India’s Nuclear Policy has undergone a gradual but noticeable change following the underground test of a nuclear device at Pokharan in May 1974. Since early 1970, Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s government had attempted to use peaceful nuclear explosions (PNEs) as a political ploy for bargaining at international forums on disarmament.

Why Bangla Desh?

On 26 March 1971 the usual news broadcast from the Chittagong Station of Radio Pakistan was interrupted at 2.05 p.m. Dacca Betar Kendra till then under the control of the staff who owed their allegiance to Mujibur Rahman had already been taken over by the Pakistan army in the morning. At 2 p.m. the Chittagong Radio station was relaying a news broadcast from Karachi, when suddenly, it was interrupted and Abdul Hannan, Secretary of the Chittagong District Awami League, made the first public declaration of independence of Bangla Desh. He did it in the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Academic Contribution to National Security Policy Formulation in India

Members of Parliament, press correspondents, interested University men and the attentive newspaper reading public in India, all agree that not enough information is available in easily assimilable form to enable a meaningful debate on matters pertaining to national security. It is one of the strange ironies of the situation that in spite of this criticism being voiced for well over a decade, and the country having gone through two major wars and a border skirmish, there has been no effort to study the reasons underlying this state of affairs, and to suggest concrete remedial steps.

Governmental Machinery for the Evolution of National Defence Policy and the Higher Direction of war

Under the Constitution of India, the President is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. He is required to act in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. Thus the ultimate authority with regard to all Defence matters rests with the Defence Minister, subject to the overall direction of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues. The Defence Minister is assisted by the Defence Secretary on the civil side, and by the Chiefs of the three armed forces—the Chief of Array Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff.

IDSA’s Interface with Policy

The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) can look back at its 50-year journey with satisfaction and pride. Undoubtedly a premier research institution in the country, it occupies a distinctive place in the community of prominent global think tanks as a leading centre for strategic research.

My Years at IDSA

This year, the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses celebrates 50 eventful years of its existence. In my association with the Institute, between 2005 and 2011, an effort was made to strengthen the Institute’s overall capacity to contribute to strategic thinking in India. In this effort, I was ably assisted by the Institute’s scholars and my other colleagues. There was clear emphasis on institution building, rather than individual research efforts.

IDSA Years: A Personal Recollection

It is a privilege to be invited to contribute to the special issue commemorating the 50th anniversary of the IDSA. The institution and the time span are respectively multi-hued and vast and the managing editor has thoughtfully suggested that I dwell on three aspects: my personal association with the institution; its major punctuations and contributions; and the way ahead, as it were—all from my limited perspective.

The Original Gurukul of Strategic Analyses in Modern India: My Reminiscences of IDSA

Established to fill a gap between policy research and policy innovation, the IDSA is the original gurukul of strategic analyses in modern India. My reminiscences of IDSA in the seventies are a décollage selected to share in a sense of national pride for witnessing some momentous events that became bench marks in shaping India’s defense posture. It (décollage) also expresses professional gratification for being a part of the IDSA faculty with K Subrahmanyam as its Director.