Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Smruti Pattanaik’s article on BIMSTEC, titled ‘Turning Bimstec into a vehicle for regional cooperation’ was published in The Daily Star on August 31, 2018.

The article analyses BIMSTEC’s potential to transform the region. The organization will remain a vehicle for transforming eastern South Asia where the members share fairly good relations. With the right mixture of political will and direction, BIMSTEC can deliver in areas where SAARC has not been able to, reads the article.

Associate Fellow, IDSA and currently Visiting Professor and Chair (India Studies), Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Dar-es-Salaam, Dr Anand Kumar’s article on the publishing of the second draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), titled ‘Limited but important gains from NRC’ was published in Rediff.com on August 29, 2018.

Research Assistant, IDSA, Ms Gulbin Sultana’s commentary on Maldives Elections, titled ‘2018 Presidential Elections In The Maldives: Uncertainty Looms Large’ was published by the Air World Service, an External Services Division of All India Radio, on August 22, 2018.

The commentary examines the forthcoming Presidential Elections in the Maldives that will be contested between incumbent President Yameen and Member of Parliament Ibrahim Solih.

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Research Assistant, IDSA, Ms Nagapushpa Devendra’s article on the US-Turkey rift, titled ‘Trump and Erdogan’s Wars of Words: Impact on the Turkish Economy’ was published in the website of Global Research, Canada on August 21, 2018.

The current escalating tension between Turkey and the US has reached to crucible where from it can go worst. With both sides refusing to abate, mending strained relation between the two NATO allies is going to be a lot more complicated and difficult, writes the author.

Research Assistant, IDSA, Dr Lakshmi Priya’s article on India-Oman relations, titled ‘India-Oman Relations; A Product of Historical and Contemporary Political, Economic and Cultural Bonds’ was published in Diplomatist, Oman 2018-Special Report, on August 18, 2018.

India and Oman have also regularly engaged in joint military, army and navy exercises. Bilateral trade and investment has been another important area of collaboration between the two countries which has seen major developments in the last few years, writes the author.

Research Consultant, under the Pakistan News Digest Project, IDSA, Ms Zainab Akhter’s commentary on the Army’s influence on Pakistan politics, titled ‘Pakistan's tryst with democracy, shadow of military looms large’ was published in ‘Daily O’ on August 18, 2018.

The commentary analyses the ever-growing power of the military establishment, and their ever-growing interference in the 70-year-old history of Pakistan.

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Senior Fellow, IDSA, Gp Capt Ajey Lele’s article on Prime Minister Modi’s ambitious plan to send the first Indian human to the space on Indian spacecraft, titled ‘Is ISRO Up for PM Modi’s ‘Indian in Space’ Challenge Without Cutting Corners?’ was published by News 18, on August 18, 2018.

The article suggests that it remains to be seen if PM Modi’s plan is ambitious, as well as pragmatic. However, at this point in time, some broad assessment could be made to appreciate the feasibility for this mission.

Research Fellow, IDSA, Col Vivek Chadha’s article on Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, titled ‘Five contributions Atal Bihari Vajpayee made to India’s national security’ was published in ‘Daily O’ on August 17, 2018.

The article offer a collective glimpse of the former Prime Minister's contributions and achievements.

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Research Assistant, IDSA, Ms Nagapushpa Devendra’s article on political instability in Iraq, titled ‘The Iraq Protests and Implications for “Political Stability”’ was published by Global Research, Canada on August 14, 2018.

It is significant to Iraq to form a new government which ought to take charge of the situation in terms of addressing energy, water and security crisis, followed by corruption and unemployment, writes the author.

Associate Fellow, IDSA and currently Visiting Professor and Chair (India Studies), Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Dar-es-Salaam, Dr Anand Kumar’s article on India-Africa relations, titled ‘New Delhi must step up on ties with Africa’ was published in Deccan Herald on August 14, 2018.