Post US Iraq: Implications for Asia
Soon as the last of US forces crossed over into Kuwait Monday, Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, a Shia, labelled terrorism charges against the Sunni Arab Vice President Tariq al Hashemi and ordered his arrest. Hashemi's party Al Iraqqiya has since boycotted the Parliament and the cabinet even as Hashemi has taken refuge in Kurdistan. While the US has advised Maliki to restore order there apparently is no pressure to put the "strategic partnership with Iraq" under strain. The scenario developing in Iraq belies hope for a multi ethnic Iraq's "democracy" to flourish. Was that the aim of US invasion of Iraq? 20 ...
Afghanistan: Fight, Talk, Build
US Secretary of State Ms Hillary Clinton announced a three track strategy for Af Pak on 27 October 2011. Summarised it means, Fight the Haqqani and other belligerent groups, Talk to all the stake holders wanting a stake in post pull out Afghanistan and Build the state to make it attractive for local residents. All at the same time to test whether these organisations have any willingness to negotiate in good faith. We have heard such strategies being churned out from Iraq to Afghanistan over the last two decades. However, US still seems to be embroiled in both these countries intricately. There was ...
THE ANATOMY OF POINT BLANK COURAGE
Maj Gen Raj Mehta, AVSM, VSM (Retired) Courage is a moral quality; it is not a chance gift of nature like an aptitude for games. It is a cold choice between two alternatives, the fixed resolve not to quit; an act of renunciation which must be made not once but many times by the power of the will. ~ Lord Charles Wilson, 1st Baron of Moran, MC, in “The Anatomy of Courage (1945)”. The individual activity of one man with backbone will do more than a thousand men with a mere wishbone. ~ William J.H. Boetcker This article records the extraordinary saga of ...
Perspectives on Draw Down in Afghanistan
US began nominal withdrawal with pulling out of 1000 troops comprising two groups - the Iowa National Guard's 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment soldiers from Parwan province in eastern Afghanistan, and the other group from the capital, Kabul. It is not yet clear whether the surge of 33,000 troops has yielded any tangible results but the pull back has begun. U.S. President Barack Obama announced in June that he would pull 10,000 of the extra troops out in 2011 and the remaining 23,000 by the summer of 2012. This may be a move with eyes on the elections but there are serious issues ...
USA in the South Asia Calculus
The visit of US Secretary of State to India seek a simple answer - whether US has been able to read South Asia right over the years. This includes its understanding of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the impact of China in the regional dynamics. As per an article by Stephen Cohen, India is a friend, but not an ally while Pakistan is an ally but not a friend. Can this visit correct the anomalies in Indo US relations and factor in various regional issues such as hyphenation of Indo Pak relations with its Af Pak strategy? Can US exert pressure on Pakistan to ...
The Afghanistan Draw Down
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="180" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption] As President Obama took office he shifted focus from Iraq to Afghanistan. However two years down the line his promised surge and draw down have yet to reduce any tangible results. Training the Afghanistan Security forces(ASF) was the prime ticket for the draw down. The primary hypothesis for the ISAF troops to begin the withdrawal is deployment of ASF in areas vacated by the ISAF. Currently this equation seems to be faltering in favour of the Taliban and it is more likely that they would imprint their presence in areas vacated by the ISAF. Friends ...
Checkmating the Dragon’s growing influence
Major Gen. G. G. Dwivedi (Retd) The continuing march into South and Southeast Asia is part of China's well-calibrated policy in consonance with the overall grand design. While China professes peace and friendliness, its strategic aim remains marginalising India through overt engagement and covert containment Aircraft carrier “Varyag” that China bought from Ukraine under refit at a Chinese port. It will add to a growing military clout just as other powers in Asia are becoming uneasy about Beijing's more strident claims over disputed seas in the region. POST 1949, China’s external and domestic policies were based on the ideology of “socialism with Chinese ...
Kohala: The Gateway to Kashmir
Zafar Choudhary Identity check at Kohala, the bridge over Jhelum separating Kashmir from Pakistan, means different things for different people. Some see it as symbolic proof of Kashmir being a separate ‘State’, other believe this is how Pakistan keeps tab on movement of Kashmiris. Taking ‘Kashmir Road’ from Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital and arguably a city among world’s most beautiful, could be an envious experience for those who often take roads in Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir. The imagination about ‘other Kashmir’ gets more excited on this wide and smooth four-laned high-speed motorway zigzagging through well protected thick forests. It takes you ...
Jasmine Revolution and the Arab Spring
The Narrative The narrative of this article is to highlight impact of current turmoil in the Arab world, more specifically the three important countries of Egypt, Libya and Syria. A detailed analysis of various ramifications on Asia, apart from spread of radical Islam, has also been discussed. As Richard K. Betts, an academic with close contacts with US intelligence agencies puts it, “the priority [right now] is collection and analysis about what’s going on”. President Obama’s Middle East speech of 19 May 2011 focused on supporting reforms in Tunisia and Egypt and called upon Syria, Bahrain and Yemen to listen to the popular voices and ...
Somali Pirates and Indian Response
Ravi Shanker Kapoor India’s political and intellectual elite never tire of talking about the country emerging as a global power, but they rarely, if ever, even take cognizance of the grave threats like Islamic terror and Maoism to national security. Debate is on whether or not we should carry out a US-like attack to bring Dawood Ibrahim and others to justice. But let’s do a reality check; we shall see how we have dealt with a less dangerous menace—that of Somali pirates. For five long years, our shippers have paid millions of dollars in ransom. Hundreds of Indian sailors have been ...
Beginning of a Hope in Kashmir
Waheed Ur Rehman Para When thousands of Kashmiri youth gather in stadii in South Kashmir, one expects to see stones being pelted, and a clamour for azaadi. And as the astounding realization dawns that they are here to compete in a half-marathon, hoping not for azaadi but this time for discs of gold, silver and bronze, one realizes that perhaps what young Kashmiris are clamoring for, is change. The current Army General, Ata Hasnain conceived the half marathon as a platform to vent youth energies. But this valiant effort proved inadequate compared to the weight of the burden that young Kashmiri minds are carrying. Two half marathons in South Kashmir, ...
Tere Bin Laden – Life After OBL
How now that the head of the amorphous al Qaeda is gone, will the world live without this iconic face of terror? One, the West is already seriously worried that their would be backlash from new al Qaeda leaders and have upgraded their security levels. The ghosts of OBL may strike any time, anywhere and with impunity under any brand name. Two, the terror destination of the world shifts permanently to Pakistan despite a decade full of lies and obfuscation by various Pakistan personalities in power. Third, the credibility of the Pakistan Military has come under a serious cloud at home and abroad ...
Frayed Fabric of South Asia-US Geopolitics
Dr. Chithra Karunakaran A "Secret India-Pakistan Diplomatic Drive" ? The following news story appears to have been faked all the way up and down. Or not. The Times, London broke the story April 23. It was written by reporters Francis Elliot and Tom Coghlan and headlined: "Restart of Cricket Relations Leads to Secret India-Pakistan Diplomatic Drive" The Times story does not lay bare its sources. Nor does it state whether the "secret diplomatic drive" actually took place with a face-to- face between the respective leaders of India and Pakistan. So how did the two Times reporters gain access to the "secret diplomatic drive."? Is ...
Gaddafi, Arabs and the West
US led NATO`alliance finds itself mired in the Arab conundrum without finding face saving methods of exit from Iraq and Afghanistan. Now after months of implementing No Fly Zone and induction of drones to separate the Gaddafi cancer from the peaceful civilians, mission creep seems to be setting in Libya. Yemen, Syria and Bahrain have invited diabolic stance from NATO primarily because US troops are stationed in Bahrain. Iraq is another thorn on US's side as it has sought for extension of its military presence in Iraq beyond December 2011. As per Stratfor, the Shiite uprising in Bahrain and the Saudi intervention, along with events in Yemen, ...
A People’s General
The first Muslim officer to command the Army in Kashmir in two decades, Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain is attempting to bridge the divide between the Army and the people with his "heart as weapon'' doctrine, reports MUZAMIL JALEEL. This story first appeared in Indian Express 16 April 2011 ASSALAMUALIKUM. Mera naam Ata Hasnain hai." This is how Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain, General Officer Commanding of the Army's 15 Corps, begins his interaction with villagers in the Valley. The first Muslim officer to command the Army in Kashmir after Lt General M K Zaki, who led the force at the outset ...
Hope for a Change in Kashmir
As per a June 2010 report in the Times of India drug usage amongst youth in Kashmir was on the rise. Dr Arshad Hussain, a psychiatrist at the Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital (GPDH), Kashmir, had opined that the menace of drug addiction had gripped the city, with mostly youngsters falling into the trap. "There is no doubt that drug abuse has increased in Kashmir. Historically, a low drug addiction zone, Kashmir has lost its innocence. The statistics now are alarming. Mostly youth in the 18-35 age group have fallen in the trap. Deaths are reported in young men because of opioid use," ...
Anna and the Revolution
India is 60 plus. It needs medicinal support to see it past the "sathia gaya" (gone senile) phase which has aptly been provided by the Jan Lok Pal Bill. The euphoria and public outcry duly supported by the media allowed the movement to gather the right momentum. The government blinked and we may have a new structure to take care of coruption. Will corruption go away with the ombudsman? This is a big question mark in the current Indian environment where "Chalta Hai"(Everything goes) rules the roost. Kargil and the accompanying media uproar should have resulted in a better deal for military ...
After Thoughts from World Cup 2011
Noel Ellis It is after a very long time that I saw the whole country united after Kargil and 26/11. I was wondering that the roads were full of people of all colour, class, creed and religions. No one was complaining, no one irritated, honking was on in ecstasy and happiness, no road rage, everyone dancing, what a joyous occasion for team India and each and every one of the 1.2 billion Indians. Young, old, small, every one was wearing the tri-colour in his own unique way. They all looked as if one blood was flowing in each and everyone’s veins. ...
Pragmatic General
Generals of Indian Army very rarely go public. They are glued to army discipline. In particular, on policy matters, Generals never open their mouth. However, in a rare case, General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar based 15 Corps, Lt General S A Hasnain made some candid and frank comments on a few aspects related to army's presence in the state. In a press conference, when asked about the demand for withdrawal of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act), an issue that has become somewhat controversial, and on which good deal of thinking is going on, the Corps Commander very candidly and politely reiterated the oft-repeated stand of the Army. He said that his superiors and ...
Analysis
President Obama’s National Defense Guidance: Forward to the PastLong War Journal (Editor’s Note: This is the way US intends fighting wars of...
Pakistan: Soft Coup Appears Imminent
No democratic government has survived the full term in Pakistan. Something which...
More Equal than others in Death
By Tazeen Javed In the wake of the cross-border Nato attack in November that killed...
Obama’s New Defence Strategy and Asia
President Obama has sent ripples across the world by announcing his new defence...
Why the West is Losing Wars and the Peace?
No this title by no means is a sequel to “Why the West Rules for Now”...
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foreign policy
The Road to MorehIndo Myanmar relations in the recent times have been viewed in the Indian strategic...
China Pakistan Relations and India
As US Pakistan relations slide to their nadir since 2001, Pakistan is hedging on...
The Egyptian Intrigue
Until 25 January 2010 we gave little attention to Egypt while attempting to see...
Hu Jintao, Obama and India
In our post US, China and India – The New Cold War we had argued that the global...
Why Indo US Relations Pass Through Beijing
Indo US Relations In a recent seminar on Indo US relations the author asked the...
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geopolitics
Obama’s New Defence Strategy and AsiaPresident Obama has sent ripples across the world by announcing his new defence strategy. As per Washington Post, “The president’s thesis is that the need for fiscal austerity coincides with a global “moment of transition,” in which the United States is winding down a decade of land wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and facing the need to turn... [Read more of this review]
The Road to Moreh
Indo Myanmar relations in the recent times have been viewed in the Indian strategic circles as a function of Myanmar’s geography to marginalise Chinese influence and trade to get oil and gas. There then is the constituency for better relations resting on opening the land route to South East Asia and countering the ill effects of Chinese use of... [Read more of this review]
Geopolitical 2012: Tough Road Ahead
2011 comes to a remarkable close in the world of geopolitics. America, the Arab states, Af Pak, South East Asia and Korea hogged the limelight in forcing changes upon the very definition of political geography. Long time names such as Bin Laden, Gaddafi, Mobarak and Kim Il Jong faded or were forced to leave the arena while others such as Ahmedinejad,... [Read more of this review]
Post US Iraq: Implications for Asia
Soon as the last of US forces crossed over into Kuwait Monday, Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, a Shia, labelled terrorism charges against the Sunni Arab Vice President Tariq al Hashemi and ordered his arrest. Hashemi’s party Al Iraqqiya has since boycotted the Parliament and the cabinet even as Hashemi has taken refuge in Kurdistan. While the US... [Read more of this review]
The Dirty Picture
Need we say more!! Read More →
Af Pak – The Iran Factor
It is not only Iran, it is all our neighbours and the West as well. Everyone wants to use Afghanistan to further their own aims. -Naziar Ahmed Haidai Head of Herat’s Provincial Council, November 2010 Opening Narrative The US Iran standoff often relegates the role Iran can play in reconciliation and reconstruction of Afghanistan. There are however... [Read more of this review]
Bangladesh: 40 Years of Liberation
As Bangladesh celebrates its 40th Victory Day today, voices in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are debating the gains made by the country in these 40 years and whether it was all worth it. Indian writers argue that the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers came at a great cost with no clear quid pro quo in terms of settling the enclaves, providing a... [Read more of this review]
China Pakistan Relations and India
As US Pakistan relations slide to their nadir since 2001, Pakistan is hedging on a strong China backing to fill the vacuum thus created. It has been promoting China as the alternative benefactor that could deliver badly needed economic and military assistance. As per a Pakistani narrative, “What we hear least about is the tangled weave of national... [Read more of this review]
Afghanistan’s Options
Afghanistan Political Ten years after the first Bonn Conference, the Bonn 2 Summit on Dec 5 is unlikely to yield any solution in absence of Pakistan. The various Pakistan based and supported Taliban groups may not be brought to the table. Pakistan was seen as the critical interlocutor during the summit because of its deep links with the Taliban groups... [Read more of this review]
Time to Act “Myanmar” : Clinton Visit
Voice of Peace It came as a comic relief to read the tail piece of a long winded article on India Myanmar relations ending thus:- Another “Great Game” involving India, China and the US is now playing out in Asia on the eastern fringes of the Indian subcontinent. But before the regional balance of power... [Read more of this review]
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