When a resource-deficient country becomes industrialised lifestyles become increasingly energy intensive, compelling it to seek resources overseas.

• Shebonti Ray Dadwal |
• January 2012 |
• Strategic Analysis

There has been an increasing assertion of the velayat-e-faqih in Iranian politics in recent years. This has led to tensions between them and the presidential office in Iran. Against this backdrop, this article seeks to analyse the constitutional position of the velayat-e-faqih and how it has interacted with other institutions to shape Iranian foreign policy. The article critically analyses the relationship between the velayat-e-faqih and different popularly elected presidents.

• M. Mahtab Alam Rizvi |
• January 2012 |
• Strategic Analysis

For a long time, it was common practice to term the rate of economic growth in India the ‘Hindu rate of growth’—a derogatory term for the low growth rate of the economy.

• Hari Bansh Jha |
• January 2012 |
• Strategic Analysis

Though the original focus of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was primarily economic cooperation, the adoption of the ASEAN charter in November 2007 officially included cooperation on human rights. This article examines three hypotheses to determine the causes of cooperation problems: regime type, non-interference policy, and absence of an enforcement mechanism in the ASEAN charter.

• Nehginpao Kipgen |
• January 2012 |
• Strategic Analysis

The opening up of the Chinese economy in 1978 was a watershed event in Chinese history. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) decided to open up certain sections of the economy in order to maintain good economic growth.

• Gunjan Singh |
• January 2012 |
• Strategic Analysis

everal measures are being initiated by the international community to secure sensitive materials. Al Qaeda's open interest in acquiring nuclear weapons and the rise of terrorist activity in nuclear-armed Pakistan have triggered a global interest in the need to secure nuclear weapons and materials. In April 2010 President Obama invited some key countries and international organisations in Washington to frame a new regime for nuclear security. The emerging regime includes some older initiatives as well as some new mechanisms, and it must address a number of issues.

• Rajiv Nayan |
• January 2012 |
• Strategic Analysis

China's global presence is indisputable, yet for most of the Cold War, China shied away from an international role. However, as China's economic profile has risen, so too has its interest in engaging with regions further afield.

• Victoria Tuke |
• January 2012 |
• Strategic Analysis

India has been grappling with the problem of devising an efficient border management strategy that would prevent the entry of dangerous elements while at the same time allowing the legitimate flow of goods, services and people. Given that it has always been vulnerable to cross-border threats and challenges such as illegal migration, drug and human trafficking, gunrunning, smuggling of commodities and cross-border terrorism, India has taken a largely unilateral approach towards border management whereby security of the borders is accorded primacy over the free movement of people and goods.

• Pushpita Das |
• January 2012 |
• Strategic Analysis

Ilan Pappe's Out of the Frame is a personal narrative about Jewish society in Israel and an intellectual commentary by a historian on the state of Israel.

• Khinvraj Jangid |
• January 2012 |
• Strategic Analysis

This article assesses the shifting preferences of Bhutan towards the foreign policy determinants. Three determinants (national security, political culture and economic engagement) have been studied as they play a significant role in shaping Bhutan's policy behaviour. These determinants have been analysed with respect to India, Nepal and China, three countries that have been of critical interest to Bhutan's foreign policy.

• Medha Bisht |
• January 2012 |
• Strategic Analysis