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Security Cooperation
commentary
What Were China's Objectives in the Doklam Dispute?
Jonah Blank
Sep 8, 2017
Foreign Affairs
The biggest Chinese concern in the Himalayas might be with the future of the 82-year-old Dalai Lama. China intends to select his successor. A high-profile scare on the Doklam Plateau may have been intended to send India an implicit message not to repeat its decision to shelter the Dalai Lama in 1959.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
Countering Chinese Coercion: The Case of Doklam
Oriana Skylar Mastro, Arzan Tarapore
Aug 29, 2017
War on the Rocks
India and China have agreed to end a two-month border confrontation in the Doklam area claimed by both China and Bhutan. The immediate crisis seems to be over, but it offers insights into Chinese coercive strategies and how they may be thwarted.
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International Organizations
commentary
China Will Regret India's Entry Into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Jul 24, 2017
The Diplomat
Russia first proposed India as a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization likely in part to complement bilateral economic and security engagement, but mainly to constrain China's growing influence in the organization.
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India
commentary
Where Are India's Heat Hotspots?
Gulrez Shah Azhar, Jaime Madrigano
May 17, 2017
The RAND Blog
Poverty, poor sanitation, a precarious water and electricity supply, and limited access to health care make India vulnerable to heat waves. Rural and urban districts could improve their preparedness by developing and targeting local adaptation strategies.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
China's Actions Are Causing U.S. 'Militarization' of the Pacific
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Nov 3, 2016
The National Interest
Beijing's aggression in the Asia-Pacific is threatening key U.S. allies, causing America to respond. Any change in U.S. policy must be based on changes in Chinese behavior.
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South Asia
commentary
Could the Kashmir Standoff Trigger Nuclear War?
Rafiq Dossani, Jonah Blank
Oct 10, 2016
Newsweek
Militants trained in Pakistan have been raiding the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir for over a quarter of a century, but the recent attack was the deadliest in years. A short-term return to peace remains uncertain and the longer term is even harder to predict.
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Pakistan
commentary
Pakistan's Shocking Strategic Shift
Sameer Lalwani
Aug 12, 2015
The National Interest
Pakistan's security policies have experienced striking but underappreciated shifts since 2001 along three dimensions: aggressive behavior, strategic orientation, and self-examination. These shifts warrant a reexamination by international security analysts of their of assumptions about Pakistan and their theories of strategic stability and instability in South Asia.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
U.S.-India Relations: Will the Obama-Modi Personal Chemistry Suffice?
Gulrez Shah Azhar
Feb 3, 2015
The RAND Blog
U.S. President Barack Obama's visit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India has generated generally positive reactions from analysts. These judgments will be reinforced if the leaders' current chemistry changes Indo-U.S. policy for the better.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
The Afterparade: No Breakthroughs — and That's Just Fine
Jonah Blank
Feb 2, 2015
Foreign Policy
President Obama's visit to India last week was hailed in many quarters as a landmark event, perhaps signaling a new era of cooperation. In reality, the concrete takeaways were quite modest: there was no breakthrough on climate change, trade, or civil nuclear liability. But the trip should nonetheless be judged a success.
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Politics and Government
commentary
In Sri Lanka, Elections Could Signal New Opportunities
Rafiq Dossani, Jonah Blank
Jan 27, 2015
The Epoch Times
With the inauguration of President Maithripala Sirisena in Sri Lanka, both the United States and India have an opportunity to influence reconciliation between the country's Tamils and Sinhalese. But if that influence is used unwisely, the result may be the same sort of aggressive Sinhalese nationalism that propelled Mahinda Rajapaksa to power a decade ago.
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Vocational Education
commentary
Building a Sound Technical and Vocational Education and Training System
Louay Constant, Cathy Stasz, Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson, Georges Vernez
Dec 31, 2014
EduTech Magazine
Technical and vocational education and training in India has expanded significantly over the past two decades. But quality and relevance remain significant issues. What may be learned from other countries' experiences?
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Politics and Government
commentary
From Glasgow to Kashmir
Jonah Blank
Sep 22, 2014
Foreign Policy
Scotland's vote could be a step toward disrupting the historical pattern of independence being won by force, not granted after a vote. This was the paradigm of the past, and it remains the paradigm of the present. But the vote in Scotland just might help set a new roadmap for the future.
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Terrorist Organizations
commentary
Let's Talk About Kashmir
Jonah Blank
Sep 8, 2014
Foreign Policy
When U.S. combat troops have withdrawn from Afghanistan in December 2014, and training units follow two years later, the dynamics that once turned northern India's Kashmir into both a target and an incubator of global terrorism may return. This would threaten U.S. security, as well as that of the region.
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Developing Countries
commentary
Women's Menstrual Hygiene in India: The Health and Environmental Implications
Mahlet Atakilt Woldetsadik
Aug 22, 2014
The RAND Blog
According to India's 2011 census, 89 percent of the nation's rural population lives in households that lack toilets. This absence of proper sanitation presents public health challenges and affects Indian women disproportionately.
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Postsecondary Education
commentary
Four Approaches to Improve Higher Education in India Through Policies
Trey Miller, Megan Clifford
Jun 12, 2014
EduTech Magazine
In India, university enrolment has grown from 10 to 23 million from 2000 to 2013, and so has interest in improving access and quality. A review of research on higher-education policies on affirmative action, financial aid, private education, and vocational education identifies gaps in research on improving access and quality.
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India
commentary
A Milder Modi?
Jonah Blank
May 19, 2014
Foreign Affairs
Narendra Modi, India's most polarizing political figure in a generation, will become prime minister with a virtually unchecked mandate.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
India Votes — and What It Might Mean for the United States
Rafiq Dossani
May 5, 2014
GlobalSecurity.org and The RAND Blog
If elected, Modi could turn out to be the politician that India's Congress accuses him of being, focusing on an internal agenda that discourages foreign engagement. The U.S. would no doubt prefer that he follow the economic course he charted in Gujarat.
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Postsecondary Education
commentary
Four Issues That RUSA's Plans for Research Universities Ought To Address
Rafiq Dossani
Mar 18, 2014
EduTech Magazine
The Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, or National Higher Education Mission, is the key implementing initiative of the Indian government's 12th Five Year Plan for higher education. It promotes three policy priorities in higher education — equity, expansion, and excellence.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
U.S.-India Dispute: A Diplomat and a Double-Standard Laid Bare
Jonah Blank
Jan 9, 2014
Reuters
From the perspective of India, not to mention Pakistan and many other nations, the United States expects privileges that it does not grant to others. If the U.S. subjects foreign visitors (particularly diplomats) to the strictest possible interpretation its own laws, it had better be prepared for other nations to do the same.
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Educational Program Evaluation
commentary
India Embraces MOOCs, but What if It Is a 'Lousy Product'?
Rafiq Dossani
Jan 8, 2014
Business Standard
One hundred engineering colleges around India will rely heavily on virtual instruction under a new program. Given the amount India is investing, it is important to make the best possible use of the complex and evolving Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) model.
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Military Budgets and Defense Spending
commentary
Modernisation and Austerity
Christopher Clary, Vipin Narang
Sep 16, 2013
The Indian Express
In a time of austerity, strategic planning is about prioritisation. How should India prioritise its future military modernisation to meet its envisioned security requirements? Each of the three services can claim urgent need.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Double Trouble: A Realist View of Rising Chinese and Indian Power
George J. Gilboy, Eric Heginbotham
Sep 5, 2013
The RAND Blog
Washington sees Indian power as part of the solution to the challenges posed by the rise of China, but this view underestimates the complex, sometimes inter-related challenges America will face as both Asian giants become more powerful, write George J. Gilboy and Eric Heginbotham.
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Afghanistan
commentary
Book Review: 'Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, 1839–42' by William Dalrymple
Seth G. Jones @SethGJones
Jun 26, 2013
The Washington Post
While Dalrymple's account of the British retreat is masterful, his effort to generate lessons for today is at times simplistic, writes Seth Jones. Massive social and political changes in Afghanistan make it thorny to pull many lessons from the first Anglo-Afghan war.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Preventing a Nuclear 'Great Game'
Seth G. Jones @SethGJones
May 30, 2013
The Wall Street Journal
America's imminent withdrawal from Afghanistan raises the possibility of renewed tension between Pakistan and India. With this month's election of Nawaz Sharif as Pakistan's next prime minister, Islamabad and New Delhi have a fleeting window of opportunity to improve relations.
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India
commentary
Increase Funds for Quality
Rafiq Dossani
Apr 15, 2013
EduTech Magazine
In India, perhaps if the funds that are needed are put in with the help of philanthropists like Shiv Nadar, Azim Premji or Rajendra Pawar, it may be possible to build world class universities, writes Rafiq Dossani.
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Global Security
commentary
America and India: Growing Partners in Afghanistan
Larry Hanauer @LarryHanauer, Peter Chalk
Aug 10, 2012
The Diplomat
A comprehensive Indian military training effort in Afghanistan would balance Pakistan's own involvement in the country, build upon a decade of American achievements in fighting the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and contribute to peace and security in the region, write Larry Hanauer and Peter Chalk.
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Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
Strengthen the Bond
Larry Hanauer @LarryHanauer, Peter Chalk
Jul 12, 2012
Hindustan Times
In the long run, a more robust Indian military role in Afghanistan represents one of the best ways to advance New Delhi's strategic interests while fostering Kabul's continued security and economic development after US and NATO forces begin to withdraw in 2014, write Larry Hanauer and Peter Chalk.
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commentary
BRIC-à-Brac
Andrew S. Weiss
Jun 15, 2009
ForeignPolicy.com
The leaders of the BRIC countries—Brazil, Russia, India, and China—hold their first stand-alone summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on Tuesday, June 16. The timing of the BRIC summit, just a few weeks before U.S. President Barack Obama's arrival in Moscow and the G-8 meeting in L'Aquila, Italy, is hardly accidental, writes Andrew S. Weiss.
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commentary
The Future of US-India Relations
Robert D. Blackwill
May 6, 2009
Financial Times online
The combination of our largely overlapping vital national interests and shared democratic values should produce a bright future for strategic collaboration between New Delhi and Washington in future decades. But in the immediate period before us, our bilateral ties are likely to be more problematical than we have seen in recent years. I want to stress that there is nothing inevitable about this, says Robert D. Blackwill.
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Pakistan
commentary
South Asia's Taliban Problem
Seth G. Jones @SethGJones
Apr 14, 2009
NYTimes.com
For India, the development of a conducive environment on its western flank for groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad has already resulted in sophisticated terrorist attacks on Indian soil. While there is good reason for India and its neighbors to be concerned, there is considerable misunderstanding of the threat, writes Seth Jones.
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commentary
Backlash Against Terror
Seth G. Jones @SethGJones
Dec 21, 2008
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, are part of a disturbing trend across the Muslim world of groups that target civilians in the name of Islam. Less visible to Western eyes, but potentially just as significant, is a growing backlash among Muslims who condemn such attacks as unethical, writes Seth Jones.
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Afghanistan
commentary
Mumbai's Terrifying Logic
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Dec 9, 2008
United Press International
We tend to describe terrorism as senseless violence, but it seldom is. If we look at the attacks from the attackers' perspective, we can discern a certain strategic logic, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
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Afghanistan
commentary
India, Pakistan Must Confront Threat of More Violence
C. Christine Fair
Dec 9, 2008
CNN.com
As the last Mumbai sites were being cleared of terrorists, grim signs emerged of the challenges that face India and Pakistan. Unfortunately, beginning to know what the Mumbai attack was -- and what it was not -- only augurs more violence for India. At least three factors are at play, writes Christine Fair.
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Iraq
commentary
The Backlash Against Terror
Seth G. Jones @SethGJones
Dec 8, 2008
Ethics Newsline, a publication of the Institute for Global Ethics
The recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, are part of a disturbing trend across the Muslim world of groups that target civilians in the name of Islam. Less visible to Western eyes, but potentially just as significant, is a growing backlash among Muslims who condemn such attacks as unethical, writes Seth Jones.
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commentary
Flagging Ally: Pakistan's Lapses Are Hurting the War on Terror
Seth G. Jones @SethGJones, John Gordon IV
Mar 18, 2007
San Diego Union-Tribune
Published commentary by RAND staff: Flagging Ally: Pakistan's Lapses Are Hurting the War on Terror, in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
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commentary
Unknown Education Revolution
Naveen Mandava
Mar 7, 2007
Mint
Published commentary by RAND staff: Unknown Education Revolution, in Mint.
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commentary
A Laid-Off Child Is a Terrible Mind to Waste
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
Nov 10, 2006
Rediff
Published commentary by RAND staff: A Laid-Off Child Is a Terrible Mind to Waste, in Rediff.
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commentary
'There Is Still So Much Infosys in Me'
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
Aug 1, 2006
Rediff
'There Is Still So Much Infosys in Me', in Rediff
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commentary
A Chance to Overcome Religious Divisions
Rollie Lal
May 27, 2004
The San Diego Union-Tribune
Published commentary by RAND staff.
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commentary
Terrorism in India is Not Just an Internal Threat
Rollie Lal
Sep 30, 2003
Financial Times
The car bombs that last month killed 52 people and wounded more than 150 in Mumbai are the latest and deadliest manifestation of a widening Islamic terrorist campaign in India. The campaign may signal an important new centre of terrorist activity and needs to be closely watched by governments around the world.
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commentary
A Thaw Between Giants
Rollie Lal
Aug 3, 2003
The Baltimore Sun
commentaries by RAND Staff: insightful commentaries on current events, published in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide.
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