Firdaus Ahmed : Subcontinental Musings
Feed-icon
Aug 13 2013
LINE OF CONTROL
An ambush loaded with meaning
LINE OF CONTROL : An ambush loaded with meaning
The assault at the Line of Control appears to be a well-planned ambush. It comes at a time when India and Pakistan are tentatively inching closer. It is a message not only to India but also to the Pakistani civilians keen on better relations with India, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
Feb 11 2013
MUSLIM MARGINALISATION
A good school for Maqbool
MUSLIM MARGINALISATION : A good school for Maqbool
The refrain of late has been that a Muslim middle class is developing, implying that Muslims are beginning to do well in the country. Why, then, is it so hard to find Muslim children in elite schools, asks Firdaus Ahmed.
2
Jan 22 2013
INDO-PAK TENSIONS
The new 'normal' at the border
INDO-PAK TENSIONS : The new 'normal' at the border
The gruesome beheading along the Line of Control should alert us that the intensity and the nature of the ongoing conflict with Pakistan is far worse than we are led to believe, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
1
Dec 17 2012
NEW IB CHIEF
The importance of being Asif Ibrahim
NEW IB CHIEF : The importance of being Asif Ibrahim
The new IB chief's track record has made it impossible for the government to ignore his claim. But for all that, there is more at stake, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
Nov 30 2012
A KARGIL MARTYR?
The strange case of 2nd Lt. Kalia
A KARGIL MARTYR? : The strange case of 2nd Lt. Kalia
The story of a heroic soldier captured by the enemy and tortured to death stirred strong emotions during the Kargil war. Why, then, is there a lid of secrecy around his death, wonders Firdaus Ahmed.
Sep 10 2012
SECURITY POLICY
Reaching beyond its brief
SECURITY POLICY : Reaching beyond its brief
Outsourcing the policy-making function is bad enough, but the government should certainly not have allowed trespass on its domain by the Naresh Chandra Task Force, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
Aug 20 2012
INTERNAL SECURITY
A secure minority, for a secure nation
INTERNAL SECURITY : A secure minority, for a secure nation
The dark clouds gathered since the early nineties have not quite dissipated. Inevitably so, since the actions that should have been taken were never taken up, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
Jul 17 2012
TACKLING MAOISM
The fog of jungle warfare
TACKLING MAOISM : The fog of jungle warfare
The right lesson from the recent Chhatisgarh encounter is that only the army can do the job. If it is politically inexpedient to use it, then there is no alternative to a peace process, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
May 23 2012
SERVICE STRENGTH
Expanding too fast?
SERVICE STRENGTH : Expanding too fast?
Although officially at peace, the army's theatre of operations has grown steadily. It has responded by boosting its numbers, but that has its own challenges, says Firdaus Ahmed.
Apr 05 2012
CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS
Uncivil war in South Block
CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS : Uncivil war in South Block
Perceiving itself as outside the policy making tent, the military tends to dig in on its views. The solution is to remove the distinction between the uniform and the safari suits, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
Firdaus Ahmed is a freelance writer on security affairs, and writes a monthly column on peace, security, and related issues for India Together.