Firdaus Ahmed : Subcontinental Musings
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Dec 17 2015
INDIA AGAINST ISIS
Fighting the ISIS: Why India should measure its steps
INDIA AGAINST ISIS : Fighting the ISIS: Why India should measure its steps
The Indian defence minister’s recent interactions indicate an overt leaning towards military action against ISIS under the UN flag. While it may not be difficult to explain this stance, or even find apparent justification for it, there is a need for a more cautionary approach, says Firdaus Ahmed.
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Nov 16 2015
INDIA’S PAK STANCE
Pakistani “idiocy”: A general gets it half right
INDIA’S PAK STANCE : Pakistani “idiocy”: A general gets it half right
Commanding general of Western Command, KJ Singh recently described Pakistan’s repeated military posturing in the broad framework of history as “the hallmark of being idiotic”. But can India really afford to say that? Firdaus Ahmed presents an incisive inward-looking analysis.
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Sep 04 2015
GEOPOLITICS AND THE MILITARY
What is really driving India’s Pakistan strategy?
GEOPOLITICS AND THE MILITARY : What is really driving India’s Pakistan strategy?
Our government and the National Security Adviser are promoting 'defensive offence' as India's Pakistan strategy. Firdaus Ahmed explains why that's not the case and that our strategy is more 'offensive-compellence' than 'defensive offence'.
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Aug 05 2015
CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS
Look who’s doing yoga now!
CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS : Look who’s doing yoga now!

The Indian military has so far maintained a dignified distance from the civilian and government affairs. But now there appears to be an increasing proximity between the military and the government. This does not bode well for India, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
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Jun 18 2015
DISPROPORTIONATE RESPONSE DOCTRINE
The seeds of India’s ‘tough guy’ image
DISPROPORTIONATE RESPONSE DOCTRINE : The seeds of India’s ‘tough guy’ image
Firdaus Ahmed deconstructs the various levels of state and individual dynamics that have led to India’s recent military doctrine of ‘disproportionate response’, as evident in various instances of encounters and killings, including the recent crackdown at the Myanmar border.
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May 29 2015
ANTI-MUSLIM BIAS IN THE MILITARY
How deep does our prejudice run?
ANTI-MUSLIM BIAS IN THE MILITARY : How deep does our prejudice run?
Several recent media reports as well as scholarly literature point to a deep-seated communal bias in certain sections of Indian society. Firdaus Ahmed looks closely at the military and its mutations to explore if it can remain insulated from similar prejudicial leanings.
Apr 27 2015
MODI'S CHINA VISIT
China policy: Will economics trump the military stance?
MODI'S CHINA VISIT : China policy: Will economics trump the military stance?
The Indian army’s evolving China strategy, leading to its preparedness for an offensive on that front, seems to have undergone a bit of dilution, as evident in North Block posturing. Is it merely a run-up to Modi’s China visit or is there more to it? Firdaus Ahmed explores.
Mar 24 2015
A NEW ROLE FOR INDIA
What will it mean to have India as a ‘security provider’?
A NEW ROLE FOR INDIA : What will it mean to have India as a ‘security provider’?
As India is poised to take on the role of a mature power centre in the Indian Ocean region, Firdaus Ahmed wonders if it will stick to its traditional defensive, accommodative strategic culture or if the move to a rightist polity will bring to the fore a different doctrine altogether.
Feb 10 2015
POLITICS AND DEFENCE
Challenges of the brass in a political minefield
POLITICS AND DEFENCE : Challenges of the brass in a political minefield
A recent announcement by the army chief that officers of all ranks of the army will donate a day’s pay to the PM’s relief fund for Kashmir floods has triggered an interesting exchange, throwing light on the broader trends of politicisation within the military. Firdaus Ahmed has more.
Jan 07 2015
TERROR BOAT CONTROVERSY
What the maritime 'non-incident' on New Year’s Eve tells us
TERROR BOAT CONTROVERSY : What the maritime 'non-incident' on New Year’s Eve tells us

The recent episode in which a mysterious boat was intercepted by India off the coast, and blew itself up, may or may not have anything to do with Pakistani terror, but has important implications for national security strategy, external relations and domestic political dynamics. Firdaus Ahmed explains.
Firdaus Ahmed is a freelance writer on security affairs, and writes a monthly column on peace, security, and related issues for India Together.