India's Cyber Security Challenges

Cyberspace as an independent theatre of war is about attacks that compromise the capability to use these facilities: they cannot be prevented by the security services in isolation.
The defence of cyberspace necessarily involves the forging of effective partnerships between the public organisations charged with ensuring the security of cyberspace and those who manage the use of this space by myriad users like government departments, banks, infrastructure, manufacturing and service enterprises and individual citizens.The defence of cyberspace has a special feature. The national territory or space that is being defended by the land, sea and air forces is well defined. Outer space and cyberspace are different. They are inherently international even from the perspective of national interest.
This report argues that Government and the private sector give cyber security some priority in their security and risk management plans, and do this jointly. Being a report that is addressed to the security community in the widest sense and intended to stimulate public discussion, it relies on publicly available information.
http://www.idsa.in/system/files/book_indiacybersecurity.pdf

China’s Defence Budget 2012: An Analysis | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

China’s Defence Budget 2012: An Analysis | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Gilgit Baltistan: Pakistan’s Growing Travails and India’s Inexplicable Silence | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Gilgit Baltistan: Pakistan’s Growing Travails and India’s Inexplicable Silence | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Emerging Trends in Cyber Security | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Emerging Trends in Cyber Security | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990 Shirley A. Kan Specialist in Asian Security Affairs February 24, 2012

This report, updated as warranted, discusses U.S. security assistance to Taiwan, or Republic of
China (ROC), including policy issues for Congress and legislation. Congress has oversight of the
Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), P.L. 96-8, which has governed arms sales to Taiwan since 1979,
when the United States recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) instead of the ROC.
Two other relevant parts of the “one China” policy are the August 17, 1982, U.S.-PRC Joint
Communique and the “Six Assurances” to Taiwan. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have been
significant. The United States also expanded military ties with Taiwan after the PRC’s missile
firings in 1995-1996. However, the U.S.-ROC Mutual Defense Treaty terminated in 1979.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RL30957.pdf

North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons: Technical Issues Mary Beth Nikitin Specialist in Nonproliferation February 29, 2012

This report summarizes what is known from open sources about the North Korean nuclear
weapons program—including weapons-usable fissile material and warhead estimates—and
assesses current developments in achieving denuclearization. Little detailed open-source
information is available about the DPRK’s nuclear weapons production capabilities, warhead
sophistication, the scope and success of its uranium enrichment program, or extent of its
proliferation activities. In total, it is estimated that North Korea has between 30 and 50 kilograms
of separated plutonium, enough for at least half a dozen nuclear weapons. While North Korea’s
weapons program has been plutonium-based from the start, in the past decade, intelligence
emerged pointing to a second route to a bomb using highly enriched uranium. North Korea
openly acknowledged a uranium enrichment program in 2009, but has said its purpose is the
production of fuel for nuclear power. In November 2010, North Korea showed visiting American
experts early construction of a 100 MWT light-water reactor and a newly built gas centrifuge
uranium enrichment plant, both at the Yongbyon site. The North Koreans claimed the enrichment
plant was operational, but this has not been independently confirmed. U.S. officials have said that
it is likely other, clandestine enrichment facilities exist. A February 2012 announcement commits
North Korea to moratoria on nuclear and long-range missile testing as well as uranium
enrichment suspension at Yongbyon under IAEA monitoring.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/RL34256.pdf

North Korea: U.S. Relations, Nuclear Diplomacy, and Internal Situation Emma Chanlett-Avery Specialist in Asian Affairs January 17, 2012

North Korea has been among the most vexing and persistent problems in U.S. foreign policy in
the post-Cold War period. The United States has never had formal diplomatic relations with the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (the official name for North Korea). Negotiations over
North Korea’s nuclear weapons program have consumed the past three U.S. administrations, even
as some analysts anticipated a collapse of the isolated authoritarian regime. North Korea has been
the recipient of well over $1 billion in U.S. aid and the target of dozens of U.S. sanctions.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/R41259.pdf

U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues Amy F. Woolf Specialist in Nuclear Weapons Policy February 22, 2012

During discussions about the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review, Congress reviewed and discussed the
plans for maintaining and modernizing U.S. strategic nuclear forces. Although the United States
plans to reduce the number of warheads deployed on its long-range missiles and bombers,
consistent with the terms of the New START Treaty, it also plans to develop new delivery systems
for deployment over the next 20-30 years. As a result, the 112th Congress will continue to review
these programs during the annual authorization and appropriations process.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/RL33640.pdf

Egypt in Transition Jeremy M. Sharp Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs February 8, 2012

On February 11, 2011, President Hosni Mubarak resigned from the presidency after 29 years in
power. For 18 days, a popular peaceful uprising spread across Egypt and ultimately forced
Mubarak to cede power to the military. In the wake of Mubarak’s resignation, a Supreme Council
of the Armed Forces (SCAF)—made up entirely of military officers who enjoyed leading
positions under Mubarak—has exercised executive authority directly and via an interim cabinet.
The SCAF oversaw a March 2011 referendum that approved amendments to Egypt’s constitution,
issued a constitutional declaration, and has also issued new laws on the formation of political
parties and the conduct of parliamentary elections. The amended constitution lays out a transition
framework in which the elected People’s Assembly and Shura Council will, in conjunction with
the SCAF, select members for a 100-person constituent assembly to draft a new constitution
subject to a referendum.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33003.pdf

Iran Sanctions Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs February 10, 2012

The international coalition that is imposing progressively strict economic sanctions on Iran is
broadening and deepening, with increasingly significant effect on Iran’s economy. The objective,
not achieved to date, remains to try to compel Iran to verifiably confine its nuclear program to
purely peaceful uses. As 2012 begins, Iran sees newly-imposed multilateral sanctions against its
oil exports as a severe threat - to the point where Iran is threatening to risk armed conflict. Iran
also has indicated receptivity to new nuclear talks in the hopes of reversing or slowing the
implementation of the oil export-related sanctions. The energy sector provides nearly 70% of
Iran’s government revenues. Iran’s alarm stems from the potential loss of oil sales as a result of:......
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS20871.pdf

Unrest in Syria and U.S. Sanctions Against the Asad Regime Jeremy M. Sharp Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Christopher M. Blanchard Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs February 16, 2012

This report analyzes the current unrest in Syria and the U.S. response to the Syrian government’s
crackdown against demonstrators. It also provides background information on U.S. sanctions
against the Asad regime and its supporters.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33487.pdf

Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs February 21, 2012

An uprising that began in Bahrain on February 14, 2011, following the revolt that overthrew
Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak three days earlier, began a political crisis that defies resolution.
Bahrain’s unrest demonstrates that Shiite grievances over the distribution of power and economic
opportunities were not satisfied by the efforts during 1999-2010 to increase the role of the Shiite
majority in governance; most Bahraini Shiites now say they seek a constitutional monarchy in
which governments are established by an elected parliament. Reflecting increasing polarization,
many Sunnis in Bahrain believe the Shiite majority will settle for nothing less than outright rule.
As protests escalated in March 2011, Bahrain’s government bucked U.S. advice by inviting direct
security assistance from other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, declaring a state of
emergency, forcefully suppressing demonstrations, and arresting dissident leaders and proopposition
health care workers. Although the state of emergency ended on June 1, 2011, the
continued imprisonment of dissidents contributed to the resulting failure of a “national dialogue,”
held in July 2011, to reach on more than just a few political reform recommendations. Hopes for
resolution were raised by a pivotal report by a government-appointed “Independent Commission
of Inquiry” (BICI) on the unrest, released November 23, 2011, which was critical of the
government’s actions against the unrest as well as the opposition’s responses to government
proposals early in the crisis. The government, through an appointed national commission, has
begun to implement most of the BICI recommendations, but the stalemate on major political
reforms has contributed to the resumption of some renewed violent demonstrations and dashed
hopes that a complete solution is in sight.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/95-1013.pdf

Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs February 23, 2012

Immediately following the completion of the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq on December 18, 2011,
relations among major political factions worsened substantially, threatening Iraq’s stability and
the legacy of the U.S. intervention in Iraq. Sunni Arabs, always fearful that Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki would seek unchallenged power for Shiite factions allied with him, accuse him of an
outright power grab as he seeks to purge the two highest ranking Sunni Arabs from government (a
deputy president and deputy prime minister). The Sunnis have sought to enlist the help of the
Kurds to curb Maliki’s perceived ambitions; the Kurds also distrust Maliki over territorial,
political, and economic issues. The political crisis threatens to undo the relatively peaceful
political competition and formation of cross-sectarian alliances that had emerged since 2007
following several years of sectarian conflict. Some Sunni insurgent groups apparently seek to
undermine Maliki by conducting high-profile attacks intended to reignite sectarian conflict.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS21968.pdf

Israel: Background and U.S. Relations Jim Zanotti Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs February 29, 2012

Since Israel’s founding in 1948, successive U.S. Presidents and many Members of Congress have
demonstrated a commitment to Israel’s security and to maintaining close U.S.-Israel defense,
diplomatic, and economic cooperation. U.S. and Israeli leaders have pursued common security
goals and have developed close relations based on common perceptions of shared democratic
values and religious affinities. U.S. policymakers often seek to determine how regional events
and U.S. policy choices may affect Israel’s security, and Congress provides active oversight of the
executive branch’s dealings with Israel and the broader Middle East. Some Members of Congress
and some analysts criticize what they perceive as insufficiently critical support of Israel. Other
than Afghanistan, Israel is the leading recipient of U.S. foreign aid and is a frequent purchaser of
major U.S. weapons systems. The United States and Israel maintain close security cooperation—
predicated on a U.S. commitment to maintain Israel’s “qualitative military edge” over other
countries in its region. The two countries signed a free trade agreement in 1985, and the United
States is Israel’s largest trading partner. For more information, see CRS Report RL33222, U.S.
Foreign Aid to Israel, by Jeremy M. Sharp.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33476.pdf

Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs March 2, 2012

The Obama Administration identifies Iran as a major threat to U.S. national security interests.
This perception is generated by suspicions of Iran’s intentions for its nuclear program—
heightened by a November 8, 2011, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report—as well
as by Iran’s support for militant groups in the Middle East and in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S.
officials also accuse Iran of helping Syria’s leadership try to defeat a growing popular opposition
movement, and of taking advantage of Shiite majority unrest against the Sunni-led, pro-U.S.
government of Bahrain. Tensions have been particularly elevated since Iran’s late December 2011
threat to try to choke off much of the world’s oil supplies by attempting to close the Strait of
Hormuz—a reaction to the imposition of significant sanctions against Iran’s vital exports of oil.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL32048.pdf

Change in the Middle East: Implications for U.S. Policy Christopher M. Blanchard, Coordinator Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Alexis Arieff Analyst in African Affairs Zoe Danon Section Research Manager Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Jeremy M. Sharp Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Jim Zanotti Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs March 7, 2012

The political change and unrest that have swept through the Middle East and North Africa since
early 2011 are likely to have profound consequences for the pursuit of long-standing U.S. policy
goals in the region with regard to regional security, global energy supplies, U.S. military access,
bilateral trade and investment, counter-proliferation, counterterrorism, and the promotion of
human rights. The profound changes in the region may alter the framework in which these goals
are pursued and challenge the basic assumptions that have long guided U.S. policy.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R42393.pdf

U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel Jeremy M. Sharp Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs March 12, 2012

This report provides an overview of U.S. foreign assistance to Israel. It includes a review of past
aid programs, data on annual assistance, and an analysis of current issues. For general
information on Israel, see CRS Report RL33476, Israel: Background and U.S. Relations, by Jim
Zanotti.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf

Ensuring the Security of Radioactive Sources: National and Global Responsibilities

http://www.fas.org/_docs/201203-EnsuringSecurityofRadioactiveSources-Ferguson.pdf

Dealing With the Growing Afghan and U.S. Tensions That Are Losing the War | Center for Strategic and International Studies

Dealing With the Growing Afghan and U.S. Tensions That Are Losing the War | Center for Strategic and International Studies

The Big Caucasus | Center for Strategic and International Studies

The Big Caucasus | Center for Strategic and International Studies

China and Afghanistan | Center for Strategic and International Studies

China and Afghanistan | Center for Strategic and International Studies

International Crisis Group : Back to Basics: Israel’s Arab Minority and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

International Crisis Group : Back to Basics: Israel’s Arab Minority and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

International Crisis Group : Sri Lanka’s North II: Rebuilding under the Military

International Crisis Group : Sri Lanka’s North II: Rebuilding under the Military

International Crisis Group : Burundi: A Deepening Corruption Crisis

International Crisis Group : Burundi: A Deepening Corruption Crisis

TALKING ABOUT TALKS: TOWARD A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN AFGHANISTAN Asia Report N°221 – 26 March 2012

http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south-asia/afghanistan/221-talking-about-talks-toward-a-political-settlement-in-afghanistan.pdf

Japan’s Nuclear Energy Debate: A Year After the Fukushima Nuclear Crisis | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Japan’s Nuclear Energy Debate: A Year After the Fukushima Nuclear Crisis | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Is China Edging Towards Political and Economic Uncertainty? | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Is China Edging Towards Political and Economic Uncertainty? | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Afghanistan: Bad Options, Worse Outcomes | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Afghanistan: Bad Options, Worse Outcomes | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

India’s Defence Budget 2012-13 | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

India’s Defence Budget 2012-13 | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

The Washington Quarterly 35(2), 2012

The 21st Century Force Multiplier: Public–Private Collaboration
James Stavridis and Evelyn N. Farkas
SACEUR and his senior advisor argue that to enhance both global development and security, relationships leveraging private sector expertise and capabilities are critical, but we need a strategy, framework, and process to design and implement them. [excerpt] http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_stavridis_farkas.pdf
How to Deter Terrorism
Matthew Kroenig and Barry Pavel 
The coauthors of the first U.S. government-wide strategy for deterring terrorist networks present the first publicly available articulation of that strategy, arguing that deterrence remains a poorly understood and underutilized element of U.S. counterterrorism strategy. [excerpt] http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_kroenig_pavel.pdf
Bombs Away? Being Realistic about Deep Nuclear Reductions
James M. Acton

Skeptics and supporters of deep nuclear reductions tend to underestimate three demanding, complex, interacting practical realities. Key barriers lie outside Washington and will take time, but ultimately, further reductions are almost certain to be gradual and worthwhile. [excerpt]http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_acton.pdf

To Keep the Peace with Iran, Threaten to Strike
Michael Singh

The former NSC senior director for Middle Eastern affairs argues that current U.S. strategy toward Iran is incomplete: supplementing sanctions and outreach with a credible military threat could bring the interests of the United States, China, Israel, and other allies into alignment while causing Tehran to reassess its own. [excerpt]
http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_singh.pdf
The Real Problem in U.S.–Israeli Relations
Dov Waxman

The real debate we should be having is not whether Obama is pro-Israel enough or whether Israel is a strategic burden to the United States. The real debate is how much do U.S. and Israeli interests really overlap today? Put simply, they are increasingly diverging. [excerpt]http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_waxman.pdf
Egypt’s Troubled Transition: Elections without Democracy
Khaled Elgindy

The most formidable threat to Egyptian democracy comes from the ruling military council itself, which may end up leaving Egypt looking less like Turkey and more like Pakistan, where a military that refuses to truly relinquish power results in a weak and dysfunctional government. [excerpt]http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_elgindy.pdf
A Strategy of “Congagement” toward Pakistan
Zalmay Khalilzad

The former U.S. ambassador explains the confusing sources of Pakistani conduct, concluding it is simultaneously an ally and adversary, and argues that alone engagement has failed and containment would, and recommends deftly mixing the two into a strategy of congagement. [excerpt]http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_khalilzad.pdf
Reassessing China: Awaiting Xi Jinping
William H. Overholt

The author of The Rise of China reassesses his conclusions a generation later, contending that China’s future is far less certain today, with possibilities ranging from Japanese-style decay to gradual world leadership, and depends on a rising generation of leaders far more risk-averse than its predecessors. [excerpt]http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_overholt.pdf
 The South China Sea: Oil, Maritime Claims, and U.S.–China Strategic Rivalry
Leszek Buszynski

The risk of conflict escalating in the South China Sea has increased over the past two years as the issue has gone beyond territorial claims and access to energy resources, having become a focal point for the U.S.–China rivalry. [excerpt]http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_buszynski.pdf
Reversing Pakistan’s Descent: Empowering its Middle Class
Xenia Dormandy

For the first time in eight years, there is a real possibility Pakistan could become a failed state. To help it reverse course, the United States needs to fundamentally rethink its policies, priorities, and most importantly, its partners by turning to Pakistan’s middle class. [excerpt]http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_dormandy.pdf
Defining U.S. Indian Ocean Strategy
Michael J. Green and Andrew Shearer

In the past few years, the Indian Ocean has emerged as a major center of geostrategic interest, but it is not enough to note that the region is becoming more important. What vital U.S. interests really are at stake? What strategy and resources are required to advance those interests? [excerpt]http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_green_shearer.pdf
Have President Obama’s Re-Election Prospects Brightened?
Charles E. Cook, Jr.

Some shifts early in 2012 appeared to improve President Obama’s chances of re-election—GDP growth and consumer confidence were up, unemployment and “wrong track” polling numbers were down—but it’s too early to jump to conclusions. The year has a long way to go. [excerpt]http://www.twq.com/12spring/docs/12spring_cook.pdf

Politics in the developing world. 3rd ed. - CMI Publications

Politics in the developing world. 3rd ed. - CMI Publications

The peace in between. Post-war violence and peacebuilding - CMI Publications

The peace in between. Post-war violence and peacebuilding - CMI Publications

The Indian Civil Nuclear Programme: Issues, Concerns, Opportunities Ruhee Neog , Tanvi Kulkarni , Alankrita Sinha and Abhijit Iyer‐Mitra

http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/SR114LVKrishnanInterview.pdf

The Naxal Problem: Understanding the Issues, Challenges and Alternative Approaches Aryaman Bhatnagar , Annapoorna Karthika , Anureet Rai , Amruta Karambelkar , Sanghita Datta and Medha Chaturvedi

http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/CR38-TheNaxalProblem.pdf

The New Nuclear Agenda: Prospects for US-Japan Cooperation Yuki Tatsumi Senior Associate

The accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station demonstrated quite dramatically the national security risk that civil nuclear power stations can present, and has led to reflections in many countries around the world about the long-term prospects for investments in nuclear energy, and weighing the environmental, economic, and safety factors alongside the energy benefits.

The United States and Japan share a goal of eliminating the security challenges posed by the proliferation and/or mismanagement of nuclear materials. They bring complementary insights and perspectives: the United States, as one of the five nuclear weapon states under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) regime, leads various multinational efforts to prevent nuclear weapons, materials, and related technologies from falling into hostile hands. Japan, as the only country in the world that has been subjected to a nuclear weapons attack, represents the interests of advanced industrialized countries with robust civil nuclear energy programs that have renounced the possession of nuclear weapons.

This volume and its contributing authors from Japan and the United States see prospects for enhanced cooperation between Tokyo and Washington. The authors also believe that by pursuing nuclear issues with a more integrated approach, the United States and Japan will help shape the global nuclear future, and the difficult choices about nuclear energy, technology, and counter-proliferation efforts that many countries will have to address.
http://www.stimson.org/images/uploads/research-pdfs/New_Nuclear_Agenda_FINAL_3_15_12.pdf