Maj Gen S.B. Asthana (Retd.)

Have big powers shoved Ukraine into a disaster?

February 26, 2022

Russia declared war on Ukraine on 24 February 2022, and is executing a plan meticulously prepared and war-gamed. NATO appears to have over-relied on the potency of its sanctions to deter Putin, which appears to be a major strategic error because it has not worked in the past and does...

ARE STRATEGIES OF STAKEHOLDERS IN ‘GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES’ INEFFECTIVE AGAINST TALIBAN?

August 13, 2021

BACKDROP Taliban are increasingly gaining ground in Afghanistan, on a daily basis, for considerable period. The US may have declared ending its military mission in Afghanistan as “Mission Accomplished on ‘Global War on Terrorism’ (GWOT)”, but in reality, its embarrassing exit will continue to haunt its reputation for a long...

REVISITING MOUNTAIN STRIKE CORPS AMIDST LADAKH STANDOFF

May 1, 2021

BACKDROP For decades, the strategic planners of India have been boosting offensive capability along the western borders for credible deterrence and remained contented with limited offensive capability with a reactive mindset along the northern and eastern borders, against the basic military strategy which says that “offense is the best form...

Need to remodel security strategy for peaceful growth

February 3, 2021

India does not have any direct threat from other neighbouring countries, but has to remain cautious of developments by adversaries trying to maximize their influence. Irritants like the border issue with Nepal over Kalapani will have to be dealt with patience as there could be some mid-course correction indigenously. India...

UNITED STATES, CHINA, RUSSIA AND STRATEGIC BALANCING BY INDIA

February 2, 2021

The recent public disclosures about US policy of accelerating India’s rise through diplomatic, military and intelligence support to contain China indicates that the US-China strategic competition will continue in 2021, along with the trade war, as a long term policy, with Joe Biden’s Administration as well. It is understandable that...

CHINESE CHEQUERS: HOW SECURE WILL INDIA BE IN 2021?

February 1, 2021

National security is a subject having a very wide ambit and needs to cover a much wider period for any meaningful analysis. As the Ladakh standoff, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic, roll over to 2021, extrapolating some of the immediate trends, under the existing realities can help anticipating some...

UNSC REFORMS: ARE G4 COUNTRIES CHASING A MIRAGE?

January 4, 2021

With India being part of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as non-permanent member from 1 January 2021, and UN 75 years of celebration (2020) hangover rolling over to next year, the debate on UNSC reforms continues, with no worthwhile progress, despite high pitch for reforms made by many countries including...

ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN CONFLICT: STRATEGIC INFERENCES POST CEASEFIRE

December 14, 2020

Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a ceasefire deal to end the war for control of Nagorno-Karabakh enclave last month, after a series of Azerbaijani victories in its fight to retake the disputed enclave. The deal also guarantees a land corridor linking Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, which will be monitored by Russians (2,000...

Is Xi Jinping proving to be Hitler of ‘undeclared World War III’?

July 11, 2020

History is full of examples whenever the ambition of any autocrat grew beyond global tolerance, he became responsible for collapse of his regime, resulting in disaster of the country and its population, which emboldened him by mute tolerance. Today, despite facing unprecedented global anger for being the originator of novel...

Why standoff between India and China is so complicated

July 2, 2020

As the tug of war in Galwan Valley continues, the adventurism of China in Ladakh and other places along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the resultant standoff between Chinese and Indian forces has highlighted the complexity of the border issue between the two countries. The fact that 22...