Firdaus Ahmed : Subcontinental Musings
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Feb 28 2011
GEO-POLITICS
What if Pakistan implodes?
GEO-POLITICS : What if Pakistan implodes?
India would do well to consider its options in light of its national interests. Loose nukes are certainly a concern, but talk of taking them out is cavalier, and we must put the brakes on that, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
Jan 31 2011
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Manufacture of a partner
GLOBAL AFFAIRS : Manufacture of a partner
Was India's emergence on the world stage a project of the superpower? And what is the role of the strategic community in keeping Indian and US interests convergent, wonders Firdaus Ahmed.
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Dec 24 2010
DEFENCE POLICY
The Army's right to its opinion
DEFENCE POLICY : The Army's right to its opinion
The top brass doesn't agree with the State government's plan to draw-down forces in the Kashmir valley. But should the military air its view publicly, and how does that impact policy-making, wonders Firdaus Ahmed.
Nov 30 2010
STRATEGIC COMMUNITY
Muddling along
STRATEGIC COMMUNITY : Muddling along
For a number of reasons, the official strategic community is inadequate both at the bureaucratic and political levels. So we lurch from one bout of activism to the next, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
Oct 11 2010
BOOK REVIEW
Starving for England
BOOK REVIEW : Starving for England
Madhusree Mukerjee's contribution lies in establishing the link between Churchill's decisions on this score and his worldview. Firdaus Ahmed reviews Churchill's Secret War.
Aug 31 2010
US-INDIA-CHINA
The tangled triangle
US-INDIA-CHINA : The tangled triangle
India risks being sucked into the incipient global rivalry between a hegemon and a rising challenger. Keeping economic growth on track will be pivotal to retaining an independent stance, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
Jul 22 2010
INDO-PAK DIALOGUE
Talk another day
INDO-PAK DIALOGUE : Talk another day
Both India and Pakistan have independently concluded that they would be able to extract better concessions from the other at a later date, notes Firdaus Ahmed.
Jun 20 2010
MILITARY RECRUITMENT
Soldiers in our own images
MILITARY RECRUITMENT : Soldiers in our own images
The multi-ethnic reality of India must find expression in its institutions, especially those charged with security. Plus, there are other reasons to broadbase recruitment further, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
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May 29 2010
TACKLING NAXALISM
Pause the mineral economy
TACKLING NAXALISM : Pause the mineral economy
Let the mineral wealth of Central India remain untapped until the people there acquire the capacity to negotiate the terms for its use and benefit directly from doing so, writes Firdaus Ahmed.
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Apr 29 2010
INTERNAL CONFLICTS
AFSPA: Between battle lines
INTERNAL CONFLICTS : AFSPA: Between battle lines
Despite two high-level recommendations to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the law remains in place. The Army is right to insist on its view, but there are things that can be done to improve matters, 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.