Saman Ayesha Kidwai

Saman Ayesha Kidwai is a Research Analyst (Counter Terrorism Centre) at MP-IDSA. She joined the institute in August 2021. She holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Peacebuilding from the Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia. Her areas of interest include political violence, counter-terrorism, and geopolitics, primarily within South Asia, West Asia, and the Horn of Africa. Among her publications across different forums, one of her notable works includes, “The Rise of Iran as a Regional Power,” in the India Quarterly Journal.

  • Research Analyst
  • Email: saman.mpidsa[at]gmail.com
  • Phone:+91 11 2671 7983

Publication

Motivations of Suicide Bombers: An Exploratory Study

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Adil Rasheed’s research paper, co-authored with Ms Ayesha Saman Kidwai, titled ‘Motivations of Suicide Bombers: An Exploratory Study’ has been published in the Journal of Peace Studies (January-June 2023 edition).

This paper explores the history of suicide attacks, the social and psychological dimensions of the menace as well as various political, social, and psychological theories proposed by counterterrorism experts to thwart instances of suicide terrorism.

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  • Published: 16 August, 2023

Afghanistan’s Throes of Instability and Conflict’ Published in Chanakya Forum

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s article ‘Afghanistan’s Throes of Instability and Conflict’ has been published in Chanakya Forum on 19 June 2023.

Afghanistan, the ‘graveyard of empires,’ has experienced continuous conflicts and instability within its borders and with Pakistan and Iran. The Taliban has enforced strict rules on ordinary Afghans, leaving them no means to evade their oppressive regime, says Ms Kidwai.

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  • Published: 19 June, 2023

Af-Pak: Terrorism, Organized Crime, And Competitive Violent Jihad – Analysis

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s article Af-Pak: Terrorism, Organized Crime, And Competitive Violent Jihad – Analysis’ has been published in Eurasia Review on 19 June 2023.

The last two years have proven catastrophic for Afghanistan’s stability and security in traditional and non-traditional domains. The regime change has also resulted in fissures between Pakistan and its previously strategic depth partner (Afghan Taliban), while the former has borne the consequences of nurturing terrorism and oppressing its Baloch populace, says Ms Kidwai.

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  • Published: 19 June, 2023

Taliban Vs. ISKP: Warring Actors In An Unstable Afghanistan – Analysis

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s article ‘Taliban Vs ISKP: Warring Actors in an Unstable Afghanistan’ has been published in Eurasia Review on 15 June 2023.

Groups like ISIS or any of its prominent affiliates have been infamous for their demonstrated adaptability in response to on-ground circumstances. This has posed a grave security threat to the affected states. Afghanistan is poised to be caught in this dilemma for a prolonged duration.

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  • Published: 15 June, 2023