Journal of Defence Studies

Ravi Vohra and P.K. Ghosh (Ed), China and the Indian Ocean Region

This book is based on an International Seminar organized by the National Maritime Foundation titled “China and the Indian Ocean Region. The book has ten chapters which cover a number of aspects related to the security and politics involved in the Indian Ocean region. The papers in the book highlight the fact that the Chinese undertakings vis-à-vis the Indian Ocean is primarily aimed at securing the sea lanes of commerce. Today China is heavily depended on the import of its energy and resources in order to run the economy. The major route of this transport runs through the Malacca Strait.

The Evolution of African Armies: A Perspective in 2010

African militaries have only recently emerged from colonial rule and several decades of Cold War gaming by superpowers. As the continent continues to be riddled with wars, these armies have been an essential part of the problem and the solution. Their evolution over the time has occurred in waves of progress and arrest. While it is impossible to generalize about the entire continent's military apparatus, this paper highlights some of the larger trends that have emerged out of this evolutionary process.

John Quigley, The Ruses for War: Americanz Interventionism since World War II

Though we hear a lot about Islam phobia and xenophobia in popular and political parlance in America, the fact remains that the us has a long and rich tradition of critical study and independent thinking. American foreign policy discourse does not constitute any exception to this tradition. The legendry thinker Noam Chomsky has constantly been questioning motives of American foreign policy and indicting it for many misdemeanors, which, he claims, has committed in the name of containment of communists or war on terror.

North Korea’s Nuclear Issue: Security Implications for Asia

The security environment of Asia is threatened by the nuclear weapons development programme by North Korea. Threats of economic sanctions by denying economic aid and resolutions by the UN Security Council to punish Kim Jong-il regime have only reinforced Pyongyang's resolve to pursue its chosen path. Not only the future of the Six-Party Talks seems uncertain, there seems to have little hope to bring the recalcitrant country to the negotiating table.

Reconstitution of the Bangladesh Rifles

The mutiny in Bangladesh Rifles in February 2009 tainted the image of the most important para-military force of Bangladesh. It completely destroyed the command structure of the force and created distrust between army and the BDR. In this situation, it became necessary to reconstitute the force. Bangladesh has undertaken this exercise. But the proposed reforms somehow does not appear geared to deal with the grievances of the BDR soldiers which have been seen at least as one of the causes of the mutiny.

India’s Response Options to Pakistani Nuclear First Use

The promise of 'massive' nuclear retaliation may prove inadequate in staying Pakistani nuclear hand in face of Indian offensives. Inflicting 'unacceptable damage' may appear disproportionate to its leadership if in response to lower order nuclear first use. Therefore, nuclear retaliation could well be of quid pro quo or quid pro quo plus levels with damage not amounting to an 'unacceptable' order.

India’s Defence Budget 2010-11: An Analysis

India's raised its defence budget for 2010-11 by 3.98 per cent to Rs. 1,47,377 crore. This allocation represents 2.12 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), which is below the global average of 2.5 per cent. Considering the void in defence preparedness and the rising military expenditure and capability in neighbourhood, India needs to increase its defence spending to around 2.5-3.0 per cent of GDP. However, the increase in allocation has to go with reforms in capital acquisition system, which in present form is unable to spend the allocated resources.

Naxalite Movement in India: The State’s Response

Introduction

Ijaz Khan, Pakistan’s Strategic Culture and Foreign Policy Making: A Study of Pakistan’s Post 9/11 Afghan Policy Changes

In Pakistan's Strategic Culture and Foreign Policy Making: A Study of Pakistan's Post 9/11 Afghan Policy Changes, Ijaz Khan, develops an understanding of the strategic culture in Pakistan. Focusing on the policy decisions in Pakistan post 9/11, it develops an understanding of Pakistan's foreign policy and the role of the Pakistani state in the war against terrorism.

Mark Fitzpatrick, The Iranian Nuclear Crisis: Avoiding Worst-Case Outcomes, 2008, Routledge, Oxon

This book explores the options for building a fence between dormant Iranian nuclear-weapons ability and a real weapon, both in practice and in terms of observation. There is no definite firewall between the peaceful nuclear activities as Iran claming allowed under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and weapons abilities, but there are some ways to make the difference between the two wider and more visible.