IDSA Comments

Japan-China stand-off over Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands

The rise of nationalism in both Japan and China and the sovereignty issue over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea is a highly explosive mix, perhaps even more so than the South China Sea island and territorial disputes.

R. S. Kalha
August 27, 2012
IDSA Comments

The Inadequacies of the UN Arms Register

The shortcomings of the UN Register of Conventional Arms have led to the failure of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). For the Treaty to be robust and meaningful, the weapon systems which will matter in the future must be reflected in the very design of the instrument. Moreover, the Treaty should remain free from biases and prejudices of the past.

Iran factor in India’s Afghan Policy

As India plans to stay engaged in Afghanistan beyond 2014, Iran has emerged as a critical component of India’s Afghan policy. Despite US pressures, India needs to adopt a pragmatic approach vis-à-vis Iran and engage it effectively to protect its vital security and geo-political interests in Afghanistan.

Effect of the Financial Crisis on European Defence: The Case of France

The ongoing global financial crisis has had an increasing strain on the defence budgets of different European countries. In the case of France, an intelligent and anticipatory/ preventive planning has mitigated the effects of the crisis but challenges remain, which have to be taken seriously and addressed effectively, if France wants to maintain its strategic autonomy.

Adrien Frossard
August 24, 2012
IDSA Comments

Pakistan’s Descent into Chaos

The terrorist strike on Minhas airbase in Kamra on August 16, in which one Pakistani soldier and nine terrorists were killed, is but the latest manifestation of the state’s inability to protect even its vital military installations.

Gurmeet Kanwal
August 19, 2012
IDSA Comments

Chinese Inroads into Bhutan: Diplomatic Gimmick or Strategic Reality?

The question of Sino-Bhutan diplomatic relations, which is essentially linked to a settled boundary line between the two countries, is a matter of strategic choice for Bhutan.

Medha Bisht
August 14, 2012
IDSA Comments

Japan-South Korea Diplomatic Standoff over Takeshima/Dokdo

Irritants like the Dokdo/Takeshima issue, if allowed to linger further, will affect Japan-South Korea relations including the security cooperation they have envisaged given common regional security concerns.

The Persecuted Rohingyas of Myanmar: Need for Political Accommodation and India`s Role

While India is not immediately affected by the Rohingya refugee migration from Myanmar, it cannot be oblivious to the regional dimensions of such human migrations based on ethnic discontent.