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Chinese President Xi Jinping Faces Difficult Times Ahead
January 8 , 2020 Jayadeva Ranade
Commentary Views: 587
There are clear indications that popular dissatisfaction and discontent with Chinese President Xi Jinping inside China continues to simmer just below the surface. The economic slowdown, unemployment and rising cost of living have contributed to the discontent.
Tags : BRI , China's universities , leaks , Protests , surveillance , China , Neighbourhood Studies
China’s Energy Challenge: Lessons for India
January 8 , 2020 Amit Bhandari Brig Vinod Anand, Senior Fellow, VIF
Commentary Views: 266
Like other large economies, China faces the twin issues of affordable energy and environmental concerns. China accounts for almost half of the global coal consumption, has recently overtaken the U.S. as world’s largest oil importer, is the world’s largest automobile market and leads the world in renewable energy installations. All of these create a unique set of problems. A decade ago, Chinese cities had the worst air quality in the world – an unfortunate distinction now held by Indian cities. How China tackled these problems holds important lessons for India as well.
Tags : Electric cycles , Lithium batteries , renewable energy , urban transport , Governance and Political Studies
The Soleimani Assassination : Taking it from There
January 7 , 2020 Lt General S A Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM (Bar), VSM (Bar), Distinguished Fellow, VIF
Commentary Views: 715
Since he kept a comparatively low profile as the commander of a strategic force designed to act clandestinely not many realized that Qasem Soleimani was virtually Number 2 in Iran’s effective hierarchy. That is why people are surprised by the assessment that his assassination is a major mistake on the part of the US; that it will not go unavenged. In Iran Soleimani was often called the ‘living martyr’ for the personal risk he took several times to attain Iran’s strategic and tactical intent.
Tags : Iraqi militias , IRGC , Kata'ib Hezbollah , Quds Force , Solemani , West Asia , International Relations and Diplomacy
Developments in the Indo-Pacific in 2019
January 7 , 2020 Amruta Karambelkar, Research Assistant, VIF
Article Views: 580
The Indo-Pacific as a geo-political idea has been in the currency since the last couple of years. In the year 2019 the idea seems to have gained more acceptance. In some measures, the stakeholders are working towards giving shape to this idea. Some countries have published exclusive Indo-Pacific strategic and political documents, whereas in the case of India, the policy direction is discernible through the visits and statements of the leadership.
Tags : Bay of Bengal , Geo-political , South China Sea , US , Indo-Pacific , International Relations and Diplomacy
Global Nuclear Order in 2019: A Review
January 6 , 2020 Dr Kapil Patil
Commentary Views: 418
The year 2019 has precipitated two important trends in the global nuclear order namely, an unstable deterrence environment, and worsening tensions between nuclear and non-nuclear weapon possessor states over the pace of nuclear reductions. According to Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (BAS), the bygone year marked a “new abnormal” in the “global security situation” marked by the dangerous departure of the U.S. from “leadership role in designing and supporting global agreements that advanced a safer and healthier planet”.
Tags : National Security and Strategic Studies , Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty , New START , North Korea , NPT , Nuclear missiles , START
West Asia and North Africa Roundup 2019
January 6 , 2020 Hirak Jyoti Das, Research Associate, VIF
Article Views: 376
In 2019, protests emerged in Algeria against the decision of the 82-year-old incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to contest in the presidential election for a fifth term which was originally scheduled on 18 April 2019. On 16 February 2019, Algerians spontaneously came out to the streets in response to President Bouteflika’s announcement calling him unfit to run for the presidency.
Tags : Election Review , Israel-Palestine Conflict , Libya , Syria , West Asia , Yemen , West Asia , International Relations and Diplomacy
As the Killing of Top Iran General marks a Tipping Point in the Crisis in the Middle East, Who has the Most to Fear
January 6 , 2020 Col Rajeev Agarwal
Article Views: 807
In the early hours of 03 January, Iran's most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani was killed by an air strike at Baghdad airport in a precision strike carried out by the US. The attack, based on specific intelligence, was carried out by a pre-positioned drone operated by the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) of the US. General Soleimani was the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and was the brain behind most of Iran’s strategy and military operations in the region.
Tags : Ali Khameini , India , Iran , Kata'ib Hezbollah , Nancy Pelosy , Quds Force , Trump , West Asia , International Relations and Diplomacy
VIF News Digest
Defense, National Security and Terrorism, VIF Alerts
December 12, 2019
VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16 - 30 November, 2019

Defence: Curtain Raiser: Exercise Mitra Shakti-VII: 2019; HIM VIJAY Military Exercise; Curtain raiser: Indo-Nepal joint...

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International Development
December 5, 2019
VIF News Digest: International Developments (US, UK, Russia and Africa), 18 November- 3 December 2019

THE UNITED STATES White House will not participate in Judiciary Committee hearing: CNN, 2 December 2019 Neither President...

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Neighbourhood News
January 13, 2020
VIF Neighborhood News Digest: January 13, 2020

PAKISTAN Pakistan to have coherent national security policy by year end: Moeed: Dawn January 13, 2020 Prime Minister’s...

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The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) is a New Delhi-based think tank set up with the collaborative efforts of India's leading security experts, diplomats, industrialists and philanthropists under the aegis of the Vivekananda Kendra. The VIF’s objective is to become a centre of excellence to kick start innovative ideas and thoughts that can lead to a stronger, secure and prosperous India playing its destined role in global affairs.

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