Search: For - military

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Army chief General Rawat has said nothing that should worry China
Sep 11, 2017

Army chief General Rawat has said nothing that should worry China

General Bipin Rawat was speaking at a seminar on the “future contours and trends of warfare”.This is the kind of stuff military people are likely to speak about when they are discussing issues in a seminar where issues are thrown up and scenarios discussed. This is something that the Chinese side probably does not understand because their military leaders usually speak to the public in tightly scripted environments.

As China Strengthens Army Logistics, the Implications for India’s Eastern Frontier
Nov 26, 2021

As China Strengthens Army Logistics, the Implications for India’s Eastern Frontier

Logistics is meaningless if it cannot do what is central to war—fighting. In order to bolster the logistical capabilities of all the major service branches of the Chinese military—including the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), PLA Air Force (PLAAF), and the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF)—the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under President Xi Jinping established a Joint Logistic Support Force (JLSF) in 2016. To what extent does the JLSF

As Myanmar spirals out of control, India must use its clout
Aug 09, 2023

As Myanmar spirals out of control, India must use its clout

Despite being on the backfoot as the country’s civil war intensifies, the military regime is showing no interest in a democratic transition that may be the country’s only hope. India must explore various options for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced people

ASAT: An asymmetrical response capability vs China?
Mar 30, 2019

ASAT: An asymmetrical response capability vs China?

As China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to undertake significant organisational reforms, the asymmetric inequalities between the Indian military and PLA are set to widen.

Behind Enemy Lines: Indian Special Forces Need to be Re-organised
Jan 22, 2004

Behind Enemy Lines: Indian Special Forces Need to be Re-organised

In the prevailing era of strategic uncertainty, Special Forces (SF) provide the most reliable means to a government for the application of military force to achieve national security objectives. The SF components of a nation¿s military and other security forces are force multipliers in times of both war and peace.

Being pragmatic with Pyongyang
May 02, 2017

Being pragmatic with Pyongyang

The U.S. must realise that neither more sanctions nor military strikes are viable options to rein in North Korea

Besieged Musharraf Left With Few Options
Aug 24, 2007

Besieged Musharraf Left With Few Options

Pakistan is today dangling between hope and despair, propelled largely by President Pervez Musharraf's inability, and refusal, to gauge public sentiments for free and fair elections in the coming months. Discontentment, once confined to media and courtrooms, has spilled out into the streets, creating a stifling atmosphere of anxiety and doubt across the country. Political, economic and social differences have sharpened in the past eight years. Re

Between a Republic and an Emirate: The Future of Afghanistan
Dec 17, 2020

Between a Republic and an Emirate: The Future of Afghanistan

This special report was written before the 2020 United States presidential elections. Under the incoming Biden administration, the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan is likely to be more gradual and “responsible”, despite the President-elect being in favour of American troops exiting the war-weary country soon. In retrospect, Donald Trump’s insistence on pulling out all US troops from Afghanistan by Christmas 2020 was not misguided, si

Beyond Challenge - The balance of power has ceased to operate for the first time
Oct 07, 2004

Beyond Challenge - The balance of power has ceased to operate for the first time

The distribution of military and economic power in the world today resembles an irregular pyramid. The face of the pyramid depicting the military dimension of power rests on a narrow base, while that representing its economic dimension is much wider. Economic power is more broadly diffused among the major states than is the case with military power.

Beyond Cyber Fires and Ukraine: PLASSF Impact on a Sino-Indian Conventional War
Sep 01, 2023

Beyond Cyber Fires and Ukraine: PLASSF Impact on a Sino-Indian Conventional War

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has served as a laboratory test to assess the effectiveness of Cyber Warfare (CW) capabilities. It would be misleading, however, to extrapolate sweeping conclusions from this conflict about the relative ineffectiveness of CW. Rather, diligence should be exercised by Indian strategic and military planners in assessing the CW capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force (PLASSF) and enhancing

Beyond narrow boundaries
Apr 03, 2010

Beyond narrow boundaries

Little attention is paid to the dynamics of politico-military strategies and civil military discourse on military capabilities and doctrines for any future conflicts

Beyond the Quad: Booming Security Cooperation Efforts in the Indo-Pacific
Jan 16, 2023

Beyond the Quad: Booming Security Cooperation Efforts in the Indo-Pacific

New defense and security cooperation efforts are springing up across the Indo-Pacific, between some Quad members and those outside the grouping.

Beyond the ‘Lethal’ in lethal autonomous weapons: Applications of LAWS in theatres of conflict for middle powers
Dec 21, 2018

Beyond the ‘Lethal’ in lethal autonomous weapons: Applications of LAWS in theatres of conflict for middle powers

Even as Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) promise to revolutionise the battlefield, very little analysis moves beyond the great powers to examine the interests that middle powers may have in these systems. Shaped by their own geostrategic contexts, demographic issues and geography challenges, countries like India, South Korea, Indonesia or the Philippines may find utility in LAWS for improving the efficiency of their forces, reducing both

Biden’s choices and America’s moment of reckoning
Aug 28, 2021

Biden’s choices and America’s moment of reckoning

The US has chosen to install a terror group as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and as a departing gift, offered them an estimated $212 million worth of military aircraft, vehicles and ammunition.

Bigger, Not Necessarily Better: India’s Defence Budget 2022-23
Aug 11, 2023

Bigger, Not Necessarily Better: India’s Defence Budget 2022-23

This brief examines India’s defence allocations for 2022-23. It outlines the conceptual and definitional aspects of the defence budget, examines defence allocations from the prism of state of the economy and public finance, and explores the potential impacts of the budget announcements on the defence production sector of the government’s self-reliance mission, Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The analysis also utilises a comparison of India’s mi

Bolton’s tough job: Controlling Pakistan’s deep state
Mar 30, 2018

Bolton’s tough job: Controlling Pakistan’s deep state

Pakistani authorities will make cosmetic changes of incumbents handling crucial matters, rope in foreign ambassadors, diplomats, military attaches and foreign media based in Islamabad.

Build on the constituency of peace and trust, say visiting Pak journalists
Jan 24, 2011

Build on the constituency of peace and trust, say visiting Pak journalists

Visiting Pakistani journalists informed a select gathering at Observer Research Foundation that the ongoing turmoil in their country was the result of a transition from military dictatorship to coalition politics in the democratic setup.

Can ASEAN and India bring peace to Myanmar
Oct 30, 2024

Can ASEAN and India bring peace to Myanmar

ASEAN and India will need to adopt a more inclusive and pragmatic approach towards Myanmar — one that involves all key stakeholders

Can India edify Myanmar to keep the peace?
Jan 04, 2018

Can India edify Myanmar to keep the peace?

Engaging the Myanmar Army in exercises such as those with India provides an opportunity for Myanmar Army officers to learn from the experiences of other armed forces in international military operations.

Can Quad and AUKUS synergise?
Oct 12, 2021

Can Quad and AUKUS synergise?

AUKUS adds another layer of deterrence against China. The group is likely to strengthen the military dimension, contrary to the belief that it undercuts Quad.

Can Russia roll back the caliphate in Iraq and Syria?
Nov 13, 2015

Can Russia roll back the caliphate in Iraq and Syria?

Russia's military intervention in Syria in September, 2015, is a new gambit by its president, Vladimir Putin. It could change the course of history, and even geography, in that region or bog down Russia in a West Asian quagmire.

Can US Lead While Europe Scrambles for Oil
Mar 14, 2011

Can US Lead While Europe Scrambles for Oil

Can good sense prevail in Washington once again? Military action in Libya will generate anti Americanism, which will swell the ranks of Al Qaeda and cause the "Arab Youth" bulge to find a frightening outlet.

CCP’s 20th Congress: Xi’s Return and Implications for the People’s Liberation Army
Jan 20, 2023

CCP’s 20th Congress: Xi’s Return and Implications for the People’s Liberation Army

The quinquennial National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is typically the venue for political leadership changes and any restructuring of the country’s military apparatus. However, the 20th CCP Congress in October 2022 saw Chinese President Xi Jinping consolidate his control over the state and military. This brief seeks to understand what Xi’s third term as CCP chief and Central Military Commission chair will mean for t

Challenges Galore for the New CDS
Oct 09, 2022

Challenges Galore for the New CDS

Chauhan has served many commands and staff postings in the North and Northeast. As major general, he commanded the Baramulla-based 19th Infantry Division in the Northern Command. So, he has invaluable experience in countering cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. His biggest strength, however, is his stint in the China-facing Eastern Command, from where he retired as commander in May 2021.

China - Hu Jintao era
Oct 26, 2004

China - Hu Jintao era

The People's Republic of China (PRC) witnessed the beginning of a new era - Hu Jintao era, when the sixty one year fourth generation leader was elected to the post of Chairman of the Central Military Commission(CMC) during the Fourth Plenum of the 16th Chinese Communist Party(CCP) Central Committee (Beijing, September 16-19

China and Cyberspace
Apr 09, 2013

China and Cyberspace

In the absence of a legal framework, Beijing is in overdrive to build its cyberspace capabilities—with military ramifications—as the world looks askance.  

China and Indonesia: A new tug-of-war
Oct 13, 2017

China and Indonesia: A new tug-of-war

Indonesia is increasing its military presence in the region and upgrading its forces in the Natuna Islands as it seeks to challenge China and maintain its control over an important sea domain containing abundant marine food and energy resources.

China and Pakistan’s ‘Iron Brotherhood’: The economic dimensions and their implications on US hegemony
Feb 07, 2019

China and Pakistan’s ‘Iron Brotherhood’: The economic dimensions and their implications on US hegemony

There was a time when the United States (US) was Pakistan’s most important ally. This paper argues that China has now overtaken the US in both economic footprint, and political influence in Pakistan.  Even in popular perception, China appears a more dependable ally than the perfidious one that is the US. The paper examines data on arms transfers, loans and credit, grants, trade, and foreign direct investments, to show how deeply embedded China

China and the New Leadership in Myanmar
May 25, 2011

China and the New Leadership in Myanmar

As part of its political transition from military to "civilian" rule, Myanmar adopted a new constitution through a national referendum in 2008 and conducted its first national elections in two decades in November 2010.

China cloud over Taiwan: President Lai Ching-te starts term in the face of Beijing’s war drills
Jun 05, 2024

China cloud over Taiwan: President Lai Ching-te starts term in the face of Beijing’s war drills

Taiwan’s civil society has hit the streets to register their displeasure against what they perceive as Beijing’s moves to get a backdoor entry into Taiwan’s democratic process.

China eyes opportunity amidst Thailand protests
Nov 02, 2020

China eyes opportunity amidst Thailand protests

For decades since 1932, after the Chakri dynasty gave up absolute power, Thailand has lived under the shadow of military coups.

China feels India needs to be shown its place
Dec 21, 2022

China feels India needs to be shown its place

New Delhi must sharply raise its preparedness to deal with a Beijing that seems bent on aggression

China in Afghanistan: Security, regional standing, and status
Oct 24, 2017

China in Afghanistan: Security, regional standing, and status

With the traditional liberal order appearing agile, new questions on international security and peacemaking have come to the fore. In the current context, global players are according Afghanistan greater strategic importance. As NATO troops continue to make headway in that region into the safe havens of ISIS, and with US posturing purportedly getting more robust, China’s role in Afghanistan merits scrutiny. Even though China’s involvement, mi

China moving closer to developing space station
Jul 11, 2012

China moving closer to developing space station

While one could consider the establishment of a space station by China as a potential for collaboration, it would be more prudent of India to consider the military implications of such a move. A manned space station provides a greater thrust to PLA's combative capability.

China on mind, US reboots its priorities
Jun 08, 2021

China on mind, US reboots its priorities

As the gap between its power and that of China grows, India needs the US to balance China in the South Asia-Indian Ocean Region. The Indian contribution, military or economic, towards a strong American Indo-Pacific strategy appears more nebulous. This is an asymmetry which cannot but have real-life consequences. India should not assume that antipathy to China alone will be the over-riding factor in the US global policy.

China one up on America
Jan 18, 2022

China one up on America

It is making giant strides where the US refused to go

China seeks rekindling of Indian ties
Jul 15, 2014

China seeks rekindling of Indian ties

If Indian economy begins to take off and it is able to overhaul its dysfunctional military system, India can emerge as a formidable second pole of the Asia-Pacific region, maybe just a shade inferior to China.

China Threat and the New Japanese Defence White Paper
Aug 16, 2011

China Threat and the New Japanese Defence White Paper

Japan's recently approved Defence White Paper has pointed out discomforting Chinese maritime activities in the region, military modernisation and the opacity about China's goals as challenges to Japan's national security.

China's conduct and the logic of power
Jul 24, 2017

China's conduct and the logic of power

China’s growing economic footprint around the world is being followed by its military footprint — a reality of great power politics.

China's Defence White Paper 2010: An Initial Assessment
Apr 02, 2011

China's Defence White Paper 2010: An Initial Assessment

China has published a White Paper on defence. But it sheds no new light on the PLA, its objectives or the military modernization. So, if China is serious about reducing the regional suspicion about its rise, it has to do something more meaningful.

China's Growing Cyber Warfare Capabilities
Jun 20, 2011

China's Growing Cyber Warfare Capabilities

It appears that China would continue to augment its growing cyber warfare capabilities. And when complimented with an "Informationised" military and technologies like the ASAT weapons, it becomes a great concern not only for the U.S but also for India.

China-India Relations: 2 Years After Galwan Clash
Jun 18, 2022

China-India Relations: 2 Years After Galwan Clash

The prevailing tension on the China-India border is a symptom of the broader strategic competition between the two Asian neighbors.

China’s Arunachal ‘Incursion’: Why India Should Look at the Bigger Picture
Oct 12, 2021

China’s Arunachal ‘Incursion’: Why India Should Look at the Bigger Picture

The 13th round of military commander’s talks between India and China will take place at Moldo today.

China’s Cruise Missile Capabilities: Implications for the Indian Army and Air Force
Apr 10, 2023

China’s Cruise Missile Capabilities: Implications for the Indian Army and Air Force

This brief evaluates the state and development of China’s cruise missile capabilities, specifically that of its air-launched and ground-launched missile forces. It finds that China has developed a formidable inventory of cruise missiles, which poses a threat to India’s own military infrastructure.  The brief lays out the imperative for India: to build up its long-range cruise missile forces. It argues that India’s current capabilities woul

China’s new defence white paper
Sep 27, 2019

China’s new defence white paper

The white paper is an amalgamation of past experiences as well as the role that China will play in the global order in the coming years.

China’s PLA upgrades its forces along the disputed border with India
May 29, 2021

China’s PLA upgrades its forces along the disputed border with India

Despite continuing talks between India and China, military preparations clearly are continuing, too.