Publisher: Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) 2014
This volumes examines the current emerging social, political, economic and security trends in the Gulf Region and likely trajectory of events and plausible scenarios for the next two decades to help policy makers in India to prepare for a variety of contingencies in a region of immense importance to India.
We have been receiving encouraging feedback from some of the esteemed readers of the Journal of Defence Studies (JDS) about the quality of its content and the subjects covered. However, we are also aware that we have quit a distance to travel. With that aim, we are now being more selective in accepting the articles for publication in JDS. The present issue carries four articles and four book reviews.
It is our constant endeavour to improve the quality and range of articles for the discerning readers of the Journal of Defence Studies. Your feedback and constructive criticism will spur us on to make even greater effort in future. We are also trying to reach out to a larger number of authors with new ideas to convey.
From time to time, the Journal of Defence Studies has published articles on specific themes. In keeping with this tradition, the current issue dwells at length on the vital aspect of ‘Ethics and Morals in the Indian Armed Forces’. This subject has always held relevance for militaries the world over. However, with increasing information flows and awareness amongst the citizenry about their right to information vis-á-vis the state’s institutions and bureaucracy, the practice of morals and ethics in the armed forces is coming under closer scrutiny.
Over the past few years, the Journal of Defence Studies (JDS) has alternately covered specific themes and articles of interest on varied subjects. The previous issue—October 2012—of JDS was devoted to 1962 India-China War, on the occasion of the 50th year of the event. This issue covers a number of thematic topics on internal security, naval and air warfare, nuclear terrorism, China’s military modernization, and the logistics support agreement with USA.
It is desirable that policies are not tinkered with after every change of command and are allowed to stabilise over a period of 5 to 10 years before they are reviewed for their efficacy.
This issue of the Journal of Defence Studies is being published 50 years after China attacked India across the Himalayas. A majority of Indians and Chinese today do not have any personal memories of the war. Since the war was seen as a victory for China and a defeat for India, it naturally evokes different sentiments in the two countries. For China, it was a punitive strike to teach India a lesson, to make it accept a lower position in the hierarchy of nations and, perhaps, an opportunity to convey its strength to the world at large, and particularly to the two superpowers of the day.
The Army, being the largest service and fielding the largest array of equipment, needs to improve its own processes by carrying out an internal analysis and taking effective steps to speed up the procurement process.
The chapters in the book take a prospective look at India's neighbourhood, as it may evolve by 2030. They underline the challenges that confront Indian policymakers, the opportunities that are likely to emerge, and the manner in which they should frame foreign and security policies for India, to maximise the gains and minimise the losses.
With the resignation of the service chiefs and Erdoğan’s consolidation of control, Turkey has taken a huge step towards political normalization and consolidating its democracy.
Increasing Normalisation of the Turkish State
With the resignation of the service chiefs and Erdoğan’s consolidation of control, Turkey has taken a huge step towards political normalization and consolidating its democracy.