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Perceptions and Prospects: Israel-Hamas Conflict
Col Pradeep Jaidka (Retd.) Article

“History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.” - Mark Twain Biblical descriptions record the divergent fates of Issac, the patriarch of Israelis and Ishmael, the prophet of Islam, both sons of Abraham. The confluence of places....

January 01, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , Israel , Palestine , Gaza , Hamas , Economic costs , IDF , Perceptions
The Fate of the Palestinian Authority Post-Hamas Attack
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF Article

The 7 October attack by Hamas’ military wing, Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades backed by Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s (PIJ) Al-Quds Brigades has boosted the support for armed resistance path among Palestinians, frustrated with the Palestinian Auth....

December 29, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , West Bank , Oslo Accords , Hamas , Gaza Strip , Palestinian Authority , Palestinian Liberation Organization , Israeli occupation
West Asia Roundup: November 2023

Abstract
The Israel-Hamas war, started with October 7 terror attacks, continued to witness the excessive and indiscriminate Israeli bombings over Gaza and the ground offensive leading to over 17000 casualties including nearly 600 childr....

December 19, 2023 Israel , Saudi Arabia , Houthis , Hezbollah , Hamas , West Asia Round Up , Operation Al Aqsa Flood , Operation Swords of Iron
Cyclical Errors in Intelligence Assessment: A Comparative Analysis
Col Pradeep Jaidka (Retd.) Article

A study of history would reveal that nations and their leaders become victims of surprise as they either chose to remain ignorant of events or unwilling to accept new (or good) inputs in a timely manner. Some significant historical examples are liste....

November 29, 2023 National Security and Strategic Studies , Article , Israel , Hamas , HUMINT , Intelligence assessment , Mossad , SIGINT , 1973 Yom Kippur war
West Asia Roundup: October 2023

Abstract
7th October became the ‘Black day ‘ as the Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on the Israelis killing nearly 1400 civilians and military personnel and taking over 250 hostages of all ages after breaching the sup....

November 21, 2023 US , Iran , Saudi Arabia , Hezbollah , Hamas , West Asia Round Up , Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) , Palestinian Authority (PA)
Global Developments and Analysis: Weekly Monitor (23-29 October 2023)

Economic

China Engages in First US Farm-Goods Signing Ceremony in Six Years
Chinese grain companies participated in a formal contract-signing ceremony for the purchase of US farm goods for the first time since the Trump-era tr....

November 13, 2023 US , EU , Gaza , AI , Covid-19 International Daily Scan , Hamas , Gold Prices , Japanese Economy , Trans Caspian Pipeline , Global Gateway , Xi-Biden Summit
Hidden Contours of Israel Hamas Conflict
Col Pradeep Jaidka (Retd.) Article

Hamas executed a well-planned multifaceted military operation, breaching the Gaza fence after neutralizing Israel’s sensors, automatic machine gun towers and communications nodes to execute civilians; take hostages and desecrate bodies of the dead.....

November 09, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , Israel , Social Media , Gaza , Hamas , Perception Warfare , Siege , tunnels , Urban Warfare
Neighborhood News Digest – 06 November 2023

Afghanistan
Opium Poppy Cultivation Declined by 95% in Afghanistan: UNODC – Tolo News
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a report that the “opium poppy cultivation and opium production dramatical....

November 06, 2023 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , Maldives , Iran , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , elections , India-Nepal , India-Maldives relations , Hamas , Military Coup , earthquake , Myanmar China , India-Sri Lanka , Bhutan King , Poppy , Rasfari Reefs , Hamilton Reserve Bank (HRB) , Buddhist ties , Israeli spies , South Korea aid , NA poll Dates , NA elections , Airforce base attack , Afghans repatriated
Does Intelligence Always Fail-Invariably?
Col Pradeep Jaidka (Retd.) Article

Since their inception, humans have been interested in knowing about the adversary. Examples abound in history. The blind king’s desire to know events in Kurukshetra; Moses tasking his 12 spies before sending them to Canaan; Trojan Horse; the first ....

October 27, 2023 National Security and Strategic Studies , International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , Israel , Gaza , Hamas , Intelligence failure
Hamas Attack on Israel: A Tough Road Ahead
Sunil Yadav, Senior Fellow, VIF Article

The surprise and audacious attack by Hamas on Israel from the Gaza Strip on 07 Oct 23 has drawn parallels with the 9/11 terror attacks on United States in terms of surprise, shock action and casualties. Several media & state reports have even compare....

October 26, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , Israel , Palestine , India , US , Iran , Gaza , UN , Humanitarian Crisis , Hamas
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