Language, Culture and the Creation of Bangladesh The objective of this article is to analyse the role of language and culture in the creation of Bangladesh. The ethno-linguistic identity of the people Dorothy Deb | October–December 2021 | Journal of Defence Studies
Understanding Indonesia’s Unease with AUKUS Given its geo-strategic importance, Indonesia’s cooperation is crucial for success of any regional security framework in the Indo-Pacific. It is therefore important that regional powers pay attention to Indonesia’s concern over Australia’s decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines under the newly constituted AUKUS, especially in view of the increasing US–China rivalry in the region. Akash Sahu | October 11, 2021 | IDSA Comments
India–Nigeria Relations India and Nigeria have enjoyed warm, friendly and deep-rooted bilateral relations for several decades and continue to do so. Ongoing engagements on the commercial front and the cultural front, and greater connectivity and people-to-people contact will certainly help in strengthening this bilateral relationship further. Abhishek Kumar | October 08, 2021 | Backgrounder
Kadhimi’s Bid to Revive Iraqi Fortunes The Baghdad Conference is significant for a variety of reasons including Iraq’s attempt to emerge as a regional mediator and reduce tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the one hand, and Turkey and Egypt–UAE, on the other. However, at the core of it, the event was aimed at reviving Iraq’s economic and political fortunes. Md. Muddassir Quamar | October 05, 2021 | IDSA Comments
Is the Threat of Islamic State Khorasan a Red Herring? The rising threat of Islamic State Khorasan (ISK) since the Taliban’s capture of Afghanistan could be a red herring as it seems to be overplayed by Pakistan to mainstream and help the Taliban regime. Pradeep Singh Gautam | October 01, 2021 | IDSA Comments
The Nuclear Submarine Deal of the New Troika The announcement of the trilateral security partnership “AUKUS” by Australia, UK and US, has prompted discussions on several issues, however, the submarine part of the agreement, about leveraging expertise from US and UK and facilitating the Australian acquisition of the nuclear-powered submarines, is attracting a lot of attention. Rajiv Nayan | September 29, 2021 | IDSA Comments
Trial of the 2015 Attacks: France’s Pre-emptive Counter Terrorism The 2015 terrorist attacks in France have seriously tested the nation’s faith in liberal and secular values as well as its tolerance for Political Islam. Taking a hands-on approach to combat terrorism, France has initiated what is being described as the “biggest trial” in its modern history. Saman Ayesha Kidwai | September 22, 2021 | IDSA Comments
The Afghan Quagmire and American Failure The geo-strategic location of Afghanistan has tempted many dominant powers to intervene but no great power has been able to occupy or attain predominance in the country. The US failed to fulfill its geo-strategic objectives even after two decades of war and peace efforts aimed at either subduing or pacifying insurgency in the country. Manoj Kumar Mishra | September 17, 2021 | Issue Brief
US–Pakistan Equations at a Crossroads US–Pakistan relations have witnessed upheavals in the past; the US’ exit from Afghanistan is the latest in the series of inflection points in their relationship. However, irrespective of the escalatory war of words sometimes, the nature of US–Pakistan relationship of convenience is likely to keep them strategically aligned in the future as well. Priyanka Singh | September 17, 2021 | Issue Brief
Role of the United States in the 1971 War: Implications for India–US Relations The India–Pakistan War of 1971 happened at the time when the US was developing a new balance of power relationship in Asia with US-ChinaPakistan at its core. This new balance of power initiative was based on the United States’ ‘Opening to China’ through secret diplomacy with the help of Pakistan, and this resulted in a convergence of interests of US, China and Pakistan. Saroj Bishoyi | October–December 2021 | Journal of Defence Studies