MANTRAYA OCCASIONAL PAPER #05: 26 FEBRUARY 2018 Redefining Extremism in Central Asia – Roger Kangas, Ph.D. – Abstract For over twenty years, the Central Asian states have faced periodic challenges of violent extremist groups and radical ideologies. These have varied among the countries, in terms of intensity, motivation, and methods, requiring the states to adjust […]
MANTRAYA BRIEF#25: 23 FEBRUARY 2018 Stock-taking China Pakistan Economic Corridor Sayantan Haldar – Abstract The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project under China’s emergent Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Hailed as one of the most investment heavy projects that China is undertaking as a part of its BRI, CPEC has received immense […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#22: 20 FEBRUARY 2018 Afghanistan: Battle of narratives, power contestations, & cycles of violence Shanthie Mariet D’Souza – Abstract The sudden surge in violence and gory blood bath in January 2018 brought about renewed international media attention to Afghanistan. The growing number of attacks indicates a deteriorating security situation, deepening political crisis […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#21: 19 FEBRUARY 2018 State of Play: Insurgencies in India’s Northeast – Bibhu Prasad Routray – Abstract Amid relative tranquility, little rebellions are continuing in India’s northeastern region. Headed by recalcitrant rebel leaders, some of whom have no inhibitions in aligning their ambitions with that of the anti-India policies of neighbouring […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#20: 17 JANUARY 2018 State of Play: Left-wing Extremism in India in 2017 – Bibhu Prasad Routray – Abstract Another year went by. The problem of Left-wing Extremism (LWE) in India, however, continues to persist. In 2017, the left-wing extremists, belonging predominantly to the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) carried out more […]
MANTRAYA BRIEF#24: 01 DECEMBER 2017 Islamic State’s Foreign Fighters: India’s Achilles heel? Bibhu Prasad Routray – Abstract It is the season for home coming. With the Caliphate of the Islamic State collapsing in Iraq and Syria, the surviving among the outfit’s 40,000 foreign fighters are now faced with three options-to die fighting, to move into […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#19: 14 NOVEMBER 2017 Changing Dynamics of India-China Relations post-Doklam Standoff – Shanthie Mariet D’Souza – Abstract The Doklam standoff appears to have unveiled a new era of India’s China policy. Does this standoff mark a turning point in their relationship or will it be a continuation of the status quo? Does […]
MANTRAYA BRIEF#23: 25 OCTOBER 2017 Siege of Marawi: Spectre of ‘new’ terrorism in Southeast Asia Bibhu Prasad Routray – Abstract The near five month siege of Marawi in Philippines by the militants inspired by the Islamic State ended on 23 October 2017. Notwithstanding the official claims of the military having nipped the bud of extremism, the […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#18: 18 OCTOBER 2017 TAPI Pipeline: A Confidence Building Measure for South Asia – Shanthie Mariet D’Souza – Abstract The narrow security dominated approach has not yielded results in the last sixteen years of the ‘war on terrorism’ in Afghanistan. And yet there is much emphasis on kinetic operations and troop surge […]
MANTRAYA ANALYSIS#17: 28 SEPTEMBER 2017 How will the Rohingya Conflict End? – Bibhu Prasad Routray – Abstract The Rohingya in Myanmar, with their poverty and limited economic opportunities, seek only to live with dignity, free from fear of attack. Given the Myanmar military is not inclined to stop its persecution and the […]