Terror Attack Prediction Based on Time Series Forecasting of Twitter Data The use of social media such as Twitter by terrorist organisations to spread their propaganda and to recruit new members is well-documented. As per an estimate, there were about 46,000–90,000 Twitter accounts in 2014, which either advocated for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or were run by supporters of the group. In 2015, Twitter reported that it had banned 1,25,000 ISIS sympathetic accounts. In 2016, it published an update that 3,25,000 accounts had been deleted. Ranjit Mishra | January-March 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
Starlink’s Role in Ukraine: Portent of a Space War? Starlink, a satellite internet constellation owned by Elon Musk, provides satellite-based internet connectivity to consumers globally, and has been actively involved in guiding Ukrainian military drones and missiles against Russian military positions, thus becoming party to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict and a bonafide military objective. Russia had also accused Starlink of helping the Ukrainian forces to guide and modify fire of the two Neptune missiles, which led to the sinking of the Russian warship Moskva. Kaushik Ray , William Selvamurthy | January-March 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
US–Saudi Tensions: Implications for the Petrodollar System The petrodollar system that came into existence in the 1970s has come under stress, with oil being traded increasingly in non-US denominated currencies. Adil Rasheed | January 18, 2023 | Issue Brief
Unpacking India’s Defence Cooperation with Africa India’s defence cooperation with African countries is on the rise. This cooperation is to some extent driven by the common security challenges faced by these countries. It is also guided by three principles: keeping African priorities first, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All) and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, the World is One Family. Training of African defence officers, involvement in United Nations Peacekeeping on the continent and maritime cooperation are the three pillars of defence engagement with African countries. Ruchita Beri | July-September 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
2034: A Novel of the Next World War by Elliot Ackerman and James Stavridis For a book published in 2021 and preceding the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, 2034: A Novel of the Next World War by Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis is remarkably topical and prescient. It forecasts a future where great power ambition and a sense of infallibility of a superpower lure it towards utilising ‘compellence’ as a strategy towards attaining its goal of world domination, leading to predictable consequences. Alok Deb | January-March 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
Militaries in Cyberspace: Approaches, Expectations and Outcomes Militaries are the sword arm of the state, entrusted with defending the state against all threats that would harm its interests. These threats are increasingly emanating from cyberspace and militaries around the world are being called upon formally to undertake responsibility for defending against threats from this domain in addition to the existing physical domains of land, sea, air and space. The unique nature of this domain has required some restructuring on the part of the military. Cherian Samuel | January-March 2023 | Journal of Defence Studies
The International System: Economic and Science and Technological Perspectives Two phenomenal developments characterized the change in the international system in the years after the Second World War: (i) the spread of Multi-national Corporations (MNCs) and (ii) the rise of a Third World, with its pluralization of political systems, economic forms and social doctrines. While the former is an important factor in the North–South relationship, the latter development has brought about new changes in the international economic system. S. P. Varma | January-February 2023 | Strategic Analysis
India in the Emerging World Order The fact that bipolarity is passing and a new multipolar world structure has emerged, merits a deeper examination. In the political sphere, the interests of the super powers, collaborative or competitive, do influence the existing international order. At the level of avoiding mutual conflict or ensuring peace in Europe, the super powers have taken many steps to reduce tension. But their competition for dominance of the Third World continues. Their influence is particularly evident in conflict situations obtaining, for instance, in Southern Africa and West Asia. P. R. Chari | January-February 2023 | Strategic Analysis
The Braided River: A Journey along the Brahmaputra: Samrat Choudhury, HarperCollins India, Noida, 2021 The Brahmaputra is the oldest antecedent and the widest braided river flowing through China, India, and Bangladesh. It is known as Tsangpo in Tibet, Siang in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, Dihang in the plains, Brahmaputra in Assam, and the Jamuna in Bangladesh. In The Braided River: A Journey along the Brahmaputra, Samrat Choudhury, a journalist and author, elucidates on the life around Brahmaputra in Assam and Bangladesh. Hassan Momin | January-February 2023 | Strategic Analysis
Let My People Know: The Incredible Story of Middle East Peace—and What Lies Ahead: Aryeh Lightstone, New York, Encounter Books, 2022 No one better than a representative assigned the task to put the wheels of the Abraham Accords in motion could give a bird’s eye view of the events leading to signing the Accords and the aftermath. Aryeh Lightstone’s narration of the story surrounding the Accords gains credibility as he was part of high-level discussions on the ‘Peace to Prosperity’ vision. Lightstone was Chief-of-Staff to David Friedman, who served as US Ambassador to Israel between 2017 and 2021. He was the liaison between the States parties to the Accords and was in charge of facilitating the Accords’ implementation. B. Poornima | January-February 2023 | Strategic Analysis
