India

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Civic Education, Twitter's Bot Problem, Police Reform: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses civic and citizenship education in America, addressing Twitter’s bot problem, why community engagement is key to police reform, and more.

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India-Pakistan Ties Are Warming—but Don't Get Excited Just Yet

While the warming trend in India-Pakistan ties is encouraging, it makes sense to keep a healthy check on expectations. Events could easily derail progress. Ultimately, it will take trust for India and Pakistan to normalize their relationship, and developing trust takes time.

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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Modi's Multipolar Moment Has Arrived

Russia's war in Ukraine has benefited India as great powers are competing more vigorously for New Delhi's affection, particularly the United States and China. India has also prevented its Russia policy from spoiling partnerships with key European and Indo-Pacific partners. These trends, if sustained, will contribute to India's rise to great-power status and in turn, shift the global system toward even greater multipolarity.

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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Russia Looks Less and Less Like India's Friend

India has strong ties with Russia dating back to the Cold War. But the geostrategic winds have shifted significantly in recent years, suggesting that India might want to reconsider the benefits of close Russia ties.

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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Modi's Foreign-Policy Juggling Act

India lives in a difficult neighborhood, and there are no easy, straightforward solutions. But thus far—and especially under Modi—India has managed its foreign-policy challenges with remarkable effectiveness. With new partners and by making some tough decisions, there is a very good chance that it will continue to do so.

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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China and Pakistan See Eye to Eye on the Taliban—Almost

Beijing and Islamabad share a long history of cooperation and have much in common on Afghanistan. Both are poised to benefit strategically from the Taliban's success. But the Taliban's resurrection almost certainly will add some stress to an otherwise positive and productive bilateral partnership.

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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India's Brittle Confidence in America

Democracies are supposed to get along. But that has not always been the case for the United States and India. From New Delhi's perspective, there are significant irritants in U.S.-India ties. Any of these could derail an otherwise positive relationship.

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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Biden Should Consider Downsides of Stressing National Values in Indo-Pacific

The Biden administration has argued that the United States must strengthen its Indo-Pacific alliances and partnerships to compete more successfully with China. Will Washington prioritize national interests or national values?

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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What to Expect When You're Expecting So Much from the Quad

In March, the leaders of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia met virtually for their first Quadrilateral Security Dialogue group meeting. What are the goals of the Quad? What tangibly can or will the Quad do and what does it look like in practice?

Jeffrey W. Hornung

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Stabilizing China-India Relations in 2021: Is This Possible?

China-India relations seem to be at their lowest point in decades. The Ladakh confrontation is fraught with the risk of escalation. But both countries have much to gain from a compromise. Leadership on both sides could help by focusing on the long-term gains in a spirit of give-and-take.

Rafiq Dossani

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China Isn't Backing Down in South Asia

Much to India's frustration, China's influence is on the rise across South Asia. India will probably have to work overtime, and in concert with like-minded partners such as Australia, Japan, and the United States to complicate and rein in China's successes in the region.

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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Curb Climate Change After COVID-19? Fast-Growing India and Brazil Are Key

India and Brazil are facing pressure to launch recoveries after the economic devastation caused by the pandemic. Will they backslide on their Paris climate agreement commitments, or will the expected return of the United States to the pact encourage them to build a more sustainable economic future?

Louay Constant, Troy D. Smith @troy_d_smith

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The Quad Is Poised to Become Openly Anti-China Soon

What has been striking about the Quad thus far is that it has resisted openly identifying China as the primary target it seeks to rein in. If the Quad is to be sustained, then it will likely have to come to grips with a forward-leaning approach to opposing Chinese activities.

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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Chinese Border Aggression Against India Likely Unrelated to Pandemic

Some argue that Beijing's aggression at the China-India border is part of an attempt to exploit the pandemic. But it may simply be a continuation of China's threatening behavior in the Indo-Pacific, which began before COVID-19 started to spread.

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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Russian S-400 Surface-to-Air Missile System: Is It Worth the Sticker Price?

Many countries do not fully appreciate that effective air defense requires a networked system and not just one missile system component. Getting the true defensive value out of the S-400 surface-to-air system requires additional components that add costs and complexities.

Peter A. Wilson, John V. Parachini @JohnParachini