Myanmar's reforms have generated much debate among scholars, both inside and outside the country. One of the key questions asked is: do the changes in Myanmar signify a real transition? There are good reasons to doubt the genuineness of the transition because the change was initiated by a military regime that had ruled the country for decades. The military has ensured its role in the transition by guaranteeing seats to the military in parliament and many of the ‘civilian’ leaders in the new government were until recently military officers. I agree with Dr.

• K. Yhome
• January 2013
• Strategic Analysis

Dr. Udai Bhanu Singh astutely raises multiple questions in his article in order to trigger a debate. But his take on today's Myanmar is evident from the first paragraph (‘This time the change that is occurring is substantive, not cosmetic’) and the last paragraph (‘Myanmar is poised for change; incremental change will surely gather momentum once the dithering ends’). I hold a different perspective on the country's internal politics and external relations, which is reflected in the analysis.

• Rajiv Bhatia
• January 2013
• Strategic Analysis

1. In general terms, it is my impression that the author is far too optimistic about what recent changes in Myanmar can lead to. Power is still in the hands of the military and there is precious little a small group of National League for Democracy (NLD) assemblymen and women (seven per cent of the total) can accomplish. Besides, the November 2010 election was blatantly rigged, and there is no guarantee that the next election, in 2015, will not also be tampered with.

• Bertil Lintner
• January 2013
• Strategic Analysis

Dr. Singh's article summarises parts of Myanmar's reform process. However, he misses out the historical background that led to the current reforms and he does not unpack some of the more complex factors in this process. This critique/response will try to complete the picture of the three top priorities of the Myanmar government: national reconciliation, ethnic peace and economic reforms.

• Marie Lall
• January 2013
• Strategic Analysis

Myanmar is in the midst of a phase of historic transformation, both in the domestic sphere and in its external relations. This time the change that is occurring is substantive, not cosmetic. The direction of the change has been largely established, although the pace could depend on the actual circumstances.

• Udai Bhanu Singh
• January 2013
• Strategic Analysis

Regionalism has been an important force in international relations since 1945. The aim of this article is to make an assessment of one of the major regional organisations from the Asia Pacific, the ASEAN, or Association of South East Asian Nations. The article attempts to give readers an overview of the problems and prospects of the ASEAN. Although the ASEAN has been successful to a large extent as a regional body, regionalism in South East Asia has been considerably undermined by a number of factors since its creation in 1967.

• Kunal Mukherjee
• November 2013
• Strategic Analysis

Burma’s two decades-old alignment with China, which was always an uneasy one, is being reordered to better reflect Burmese national interests. In an attempt to reach out to the West, partial democratisation has been permitted. The military remains highly influential in Burmese politics, but its desire to avoid the pitfalls of over-dependence on Beijing, together with confidence that separatist movements pose a lesser threat than in the past, have led to a loosening of political control.

• Prem Mahadevan
• September 2013
• Strategic Analysis

INS Sudarshini, India’s Sail Training Ship (STS), was sent on a commemorative expedition to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries for six months along the monsoon trade winds route to trace India’s civilisational and cultural affinities and rejuvenate trade and maritime linkages with its neighbours in the East. The voyage was part of the commemoration of the successful completion of two decades of India’s Look East Policy, 20 years of dialogue relations with ASEAN, and 10 years of India–ASEAN summit-level partnership.

• Rahul Mishra
• September 2013
• Strategic Analysis

The article analyses US–Burma relations under two different US administrations. Since the failed 1988 democracy uprising in Burma, the United States of America and the Union of Burma have had a strained relationship. This resulted in the US government's downgrading of its representative from ambassador to chargé d'affaires. The Republican administration of President George W. Bush pursued an isolationist policy by imposing sanctions on Burma from 2001 to 2009. When President Barack H.

• Nehginpao Kipgen
• March 2013
• Strategic Analysis

This commentary attempts to put into perspective the recent developments in India–Australia bilateral ties. It argues that economic incentives and strategic calculations have compelled Australia to get closer to India. Australia's decision to supply yellowcake to India, expanding bilateral naval cooperation and Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith's December 2011 visit should be seen in that context. Australia has realised that it does not make sense to lag behind when countries across the world are jockeying to benefit from India's rise.

• Rahul Mishra
• July 2012
• Strategic Analysis

The visit of Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang to India reflects the deepening of the partnership which has evolved as a consequence of the rapidly changing regional security dynamics.

• Temjenmeren Ao
• June 26, 2023
• Issue Brief

Indonesia needs a robust policy response vis-à-vis Foreign Returned Terrorist Fighters in terms of their integration, dismantling of networks, and regular monitoring of their activities.

• Mohammed Shoaib Raza
• May 23, 2023
• Issue Brief

Tailored strategies that cater to the unique needs and aspirations of the North Eastern Region can ensure comprehensive development, regional cooperation and long-term stability.

• Gurinder Pal Singh
• May 01, 2023
• IDSA Comments

Negotiations between ASEAN and China regarding a Code of Conduct on South China Sea may continue to be prolonged and evasive.

• Om Prakash Das
• March 13, 2023
• IDSA Comments

Anwar Ibrahim’s ascent to power could prove advantageous for dealing with Malaysia’s fractious domestic dynamics as well as for furthering the country’s foreign policy goals.

• Mohammed Shoaib Raza
• December 27, 2022
• IDSA Comments

India can carve a niche as a capacity-builder in helping the southern Pacific countries meet developmental goals and tackle climate change.

• Shruti Pandalai , Akash Sahu , Shruti Sharma
• September 02, 2022
• Issue Brief

The Shan state of Myanmar is the largest producer of illegal drugs within the infamous Golden Triangle—a tri-junction at the Myanmar, Laos and Thailand borders.

• Akash Sahu
• July 28, 2022
• Issue Brief

The Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) Initiative aims to enhance regional maritime security via technology and training support.

• Shruti Pandalai , Abhay Kumar Singh
• June 24, 2022
• IDSA Comments

The new Labor Party government in Australia is likely to show continuity on AUKUS and Quad initiatives in the Indo-Pacific, while policy approaches on Pacific Islands and China, as also on climate change, may get a re-look.

• R.P. Singh
• June 15, 2022
• IDSA Comments

India and Australia need to take a leadership role in maritime security affairs in the two oceans and have deeper engagements with the Pacific and Indian Ocean island countries.

• R.P. Singh
• April 26, 2022
• IDSA Comments