COMMENTARIES
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2010-2020: Decadal Trends
Ten Years of Seeking Autonomy in Space
Chaitanya Giri · 19 Aug, 2021 · #5781 · Commentary
Recently, Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos successfully demonstrated
their respective marquee space technology platforms. These demonstrations made
big news and gave a crystal ball gaze of how the space industry will grow in the
2020s. These succ...
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US Engagement in the South China Sea: Beyond FONOPS and into the ‘Grey Zone’
Jahnavi Pande · 16 Aug, 2021 · #5780 · Commentary
The April
2021 standoff between the Philippines and China’s maritime militia in and
around the Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea (SCS) is just one example of China clashing with a
claimant state in the region. With the growth of Beijing’s...
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2010-2020: Decadal Trends
A Transformative Decade: Xi Jinping's Rise and China's Political Landscape
Srikanth Kondapalli · 12 Aug, 2021 · #5779 · Commentary
China
has gone through major political transformations over the past decade, with the
rise and consolidation of Xi Jinping’s power being a key driver. The change in
leadership has been accompanied by power centralisation, governance changes,
...
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The Strategist
China and a New Cold War
Vice Admiral Vijay Shankar · 11 Aug, 2021 · #5778 · Commentary · Column
In 1947, George F Keenan, an American
Foreign Service officer, formulated the policy of ‘containment’. The continuity that this policy
represented may be appreciated by its longevity. It was the foundation of US strategy
during the Cold War...
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East Asia Compass
Restoration of Inter-Korea Communication Lines
Dr Sandip Kumar Mishra · 30 Jul, 2021 · #5777 · Commentary · Column
On 27 July 2021, cross-border
communication lines between North and South Korea were restored.
They had been severed for almost 13 months. North Korea initiated the
disengagement on the pretext of propaganda leaflets entering from the other
si...
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Mapping China’s presence in Africa’s Digital Economy
Rahul Karan Reddy · 15 Jul, 2021 · #5776 · Commentary
China’s
economic interests in Africa are typified by ports, railways, roads, and other
infrastructure projects, under the umbrella of the Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI). This interest is further motivated by the presence of Chinese tech
comp...
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Strategic Space
Nuclear Deterrence and Stability in South Asia: The Inadequacies of a Regional Lens
Manpreet Sethi · 12 Jul, 2021 · #5775 · Commentary · Column
A
recent report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS),
London, on how to stabilise the nuclear situation in South Asia, adds to a long
list of offerings by well-meaning strategic analysts and think-tanks from
around the w...
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East Asia Compass
COVID-19 and the Japan Olympics: Evaluating a Range of Imperfect Choices
Dr Sandip Kumar Mishra · 05 Jul, 2021 · #5774 · Commentary · Column
Japan is likely to host
the Tokyo Summer Olympics on 23 July-8 August 2021. Initially scheduled for July-August
2020, it was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are concerns
that if the Games happen now, even after a year’s dela...
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2010-2020: Decadal Trends
India and Southeast Asia: New Energy; Old Hiccups
Angshuman Choudhury · 30 Jun, 2021 · #5773 · Commentary
While
India’s relationship with Southeast Asia is ancient, the past decade (2010-20)
witnessed a fresh surge. From ‘Looking East’ to ‘Acting East’, India and the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) region found new momentu...
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The Strategist
Afghanistan: The Consequences of US Withdrawal
Vice Admiral Vijay Shankar · 29 Jun, 2021 · #5772 · Commentary · Column
President Biden announced
on 14 April 2021 the end of what is described as America’s “forever war” in
Afghanistan. The announcement
came nearly two decades after the US invasion of Afghanistan. Ten years ago,
the US proclaimed
the accom...
