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Rewriting the Rules of War: How States Weaponised ‘Self-Defence’
Law and Justice Nov 13, 2025

Rewriting the Rules of War: How States Weaponised ‘Self-Defence’

As states invoke “self-defence” to justify aggression, Article 51 of the UN Charter risks becoming a tool for legitimising war, not preventing it. ...

Future Ready Combat Vehicle: Prioritising Mobility for Modern Warfare
Defence and Security | Indian Defence Aug 13, 2025

Future Ready Combat Vehicle: Prioritising Mobility for Modern Warfare

India’s Future Ready Combat Vehicle must prioritise mobility to meet operational demands along contested borders against China and Pakistan. ...

Pakistan Air Force: Assessing Capabilities and Modernisation Trends
Defence and Security Jul 07, 2025

Pakistan Air Force: Assessing Capabilities and Modernisation Trends

The PAF’s evolving capabilities show how strategic partnerships, cutting-edge acquisitions, and sustained spending continue to define Pakistan’s military power projection. ...

IAF’s Challenge: Bridging the Bomber and ALCM Gap
Defence and Security | Indian Defence Apr 18, 2025

IAF’s Challenge: Bridging the Bomber and ALCM Gap

The Indian Air Force urgently needs to develop an air-launched cruise missile and a suitable delivery platform to counter China's advanced long-range strike capabilities ...

Achieving synergy in warfighting
Defence and Security Mar 25, 2025

Achieving synergy in warfighting

In an era of multi-domain warfare, India’s military must think beyond silos, integrate capabilities, and prioritise efficiency for national security. ...

Despite MQ9B purchase, the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy revive TAPAS
Defence and Security | Indian Defence Sep 13, 2024

Despite MQ9B purchase, the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy revive TAPAS

The future of military drone development in India can be pushed forward provided there is sustained effort by the government, the armed services, the DRDO and industry ...

Military diplomacy: A critical element of statecraft
Defence and Security Aug 27, 2024

Military diplomacy: A critical element of statecraft

Military diplomacy remains a vastly untapped constituent of India’s Comprehensive National Power and needs a holistic push for the attainment of national objectives ...

China and the Kargil War: From neutrality to conflict
Indian Defence Aug 13, 2024

China and the Kargil War: From neutrality to conflict

The Kargil War taught China and India that enhancing military capabilities and infrastructure is crucial for securing the LAC, with no room for compromise on this front ...

Post-Kargil intelligence reforms
International Affairs Aug 06, 2024

Post-Kargil intelligence reforms

The aftermath of Kargil saw a series of reforms being brought to the national security system to plug existing loopholes ...

The nuclear dimension of the Kargil War and its legacy
International Affairs Aug 06, 2024

The nuclear dimension of the Kargil War and its legacy

The Kargil War highlighted the need for clear nuclear doctrines and strong command systems to manage escalation risks for both India and Pakistan ...

Kargil conflict turned a corner in India-US relations
International Affairs Aug 06, 2024

Kargil conflict turned a corner in India-US relations

The Kargil conflict and India’s rapid growth marked a turning point in India-US relations. ...

India’s Kargil diplomacy: Strengths and limits of diplomacy in war
International Affairs Aug 06, 2024

India’s Kargil diplomacy: Strengths and limits of diplomacy in war

India's diplomatic pressure on Pakistan during the Kargil War illustrates the interconnection between diplomacy and war and how the former influences military actions and resolve conflicts ...

Media and the Kargil War: Staging India’s first ‘live war’
Indian Defence Aug 06, 2024

Media and the Kargil War: Staging India’s first ‘live war’

The Kargil War, as India’s first televised conflict, revolutionised the media’s role and helped to shape public perception and to bolster national support ...

Atomic blackmail: A little-recognised but urgent threat
International Affairs | Defence and Security Jun 27, 2024

Atomic blackmail: A little-recognised but urgent threat

The growing scale of wars worldwide has heightened the risk of atomic blackmail, shifting the perception of nuclear power plants from assets to liabilities. ...

Drone warfare in Myanmar: Strategic implications
International Affairs Jun 19, 2024

Drone warfare in Myanmar: Strategic implications

As the conflict in Myanmar escalates, an increasing use of commercial weaponised drones by non-state actors is observed. This spread of drone warfare carries heavy strategic implications. ...

Operational and tactical shifts: How modern wars are reshaping the battlefield
Defence and Security Jun 15, 2024

Operational and tactical shifts: How modern wars are reshaping the battlefield

The coupling of conventional and new, high-tech warfighting elements, as witnessed in recent conflicts, highlights the importance of a balanced approach that leverages the strengths of both domains. ...

Establishing WMD Free Zones in the Middle East: If not now, then when?
International Affairs | Nuclear Security May 27, 2024

Establishing WMD Free Zones in the Middle East: If not now, then when?

Establishing Middle East WMD-free zones (MEWMDFZ) is an urgent requirement, not only for the region's stability but also for global security. ...

The great American divide
International Affairs May 03, 2024

The great American divide

The American political landscape has been witnessing a great divide due to the growing immigration problem and the US’ support to ongoing wars. ...

How hypersonic weapons are redefining warfare
Defence and Security | Indian Defence May 02, 2024

How hypersonic weapons are redefining warfare

Given the growing relevance of hypersonic weapons, India needs to accelerate its efforts in their development and in the deterrence of these weapons. ...

The future of counterterrorism: Evolving online tools and tactics
Terrorism | Artificial Intelligence Feb 21, 2024

The future of counterterrorism: Evolving online tools and tactics

As terrorists and violent extremists adapt their online tactics in the era of AI, counterterrorism efforts should also evolve, employing new tools and approaches ...

The arrival of air taxis: A need for a new drone policy
Defence and Security Jan 05, 2024

The arrival of air taxis: A need for a new drone policy

With commercial drone operation just around the corner, relevant guidelines need to be introduced to ensure the smooth and safe functioning ...

Civil-military fusion for Atmanirbhar Bharat
Domestic Politics and Governance | Defence and Security | Indian Defence Dec 31, 2023

Civil-military fusion for Atmanirbhar Bharat

Given India’s history and ethos, India must forge its own unique structures to achieve jointness and integration and civil-military fusion in the broadest possible sense ...

India’s fighter squadron and helicopter fleet conundrum
Defence and Security | Indian Defence Dec 13, 2023

India’s fighter squadron and helicopter fleet conundrum

Tactful usage of available resources is essential to mitigate the diminishing strength of India’s fighter squadrons and the vulnerability of its helicopter fleet   ...

Implications of Operation 1027: From armed conflict to online scams
Neighbourhood | Domestic Politics and Governance | Defence and Security Nov 29, 2023

Implications of Operation 1027: From armed conflict to online scams

The military coup has led to a breakdown of the rule of law in Myanmar, creating a conducive environment for criminal activities, especially in border states ...

Ukraine-Russia and Hamas-Israel wars: Adaptation is key
International Affairs Oct 10, 2023

Ukraine-Russia and Hamas-Israel wars: Adaptation is key

Adaptation remains critical in wars as seen throughout history and the current conflicts between Moscow and Kyiv and between Hamas and Israel are no different ...

Contributors

Sreeparna Banerjee

Sreeparna Banerjee

Sreeparna Banerjee is an Associate Fellow in the Strategic Studies Programme. Her work focuses on the geopolitical and strategic affairs concerning two Southeast Asian countries, namely Myanmar and Thailand. Her primary focus is on the Rohingya issue within the Bay of ...

Read More + Sreeparna Banerjee

Sreeparna Banerjee

Sreeparna Banerjee is an Associate Fellow in the Strategic Studies Programme. Her work focuses on the geopolitical and strategic affairs concerning two Southeast Asian countries, namely Myanmar and Thailand. Her primary focus is on the Rohingya issue within the Bay of ...

Read More +