Articles By Maj Gen SB Asthana
Is Strategic Balancing a ‘New Normal’ in Interlinked World?
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 05 Dec , 2018
The G-20 Summit 2018 will be remembered for extra-ordinary large number of bilateral and trilateral meetings, which seem to be even more significant than the main purpose of the meet. There are...
Where Debt Ridden, Radicalized, Chaotic Pakistan leading to?
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 06 Nov , 2018
Last week has seen Pakistan reaching out to every conceivable friend for bailout assistance. It was also seen unable to control radical elements which overpowered Governments decision making and...
Twists and Turns in US -China Trade War
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 13 Oct , 2018
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s stopover at Beijing on 08 October may not have been a pleasant experience, more so in the backdrop of accusation of US Vice President Pence about China...
Opinion: Why MEA Fumbled with Cricketer PM Imran’s Bouncer of Peace Talks
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 24 Sep , 2018
Indian decision makers advised by their advisors/diplomats were too quick to be trapped in Imran Khan’s letter to Prime Minister Modi, calling for resumption of peace dialogue, by announcing...
Opinion: If Maldives can’t be Strategically Ignored, What are the Options...
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 05 Sep , 2018
The diplomatic tug of war in Maldives seems to be going in favor of China as it seems to have gained a stronghold on President Yameen through “Debt Trap Diplomacy”, with inauguration of China...
Opinion - Can Trump’s Offer for Summit lead to better Deal with Iran...
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 07 Aug , 2018
The announcement of President Trump last week expressing his willingness to hold a summit with Iran with ‘no preconditions’, after a chain of threatening exchanges between him and President...
Trump’s Swinging Diplomatic Stands: How does it Affect India?
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 23 Jul , 2018
In the meeting of US President Trump with Russian President Putin in July 2018 in Helsinki, immediately after organizing Football World Cup, Putin seems to have scored a diplomatic goal over...
UNHRC on Kashmir: Wrong Diagnosis, Unwanted Prescription
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 16 Jul , 2018
In June 2018, UNHRC released a first ever report on Kashmir regarding alleged human rights violations and abuses on both sides of the Line of Control recommending a Commission of Inquiry. The...
China's 'Debt Trap' for Pakistan: Dilutes FATF Ruling
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 06 Jul , 2018
Under normal circumstances, a one billion dollar loan between two sovereign countries would have gone unnoticed by global community, but what makes China’s one billion dollar lending to...
Surgical Strikes for National Security; Not Politics/Optics
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 02 Jul , 2018
On 29 September 2016, when Indian DGMO informed the country about Indian Army having launched a surgical strike against terrorist bases inside Pakistan, it exhibited Indian resolve to cross a...
IS Footprints in Kashmir and challenges ahead
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 25 Jun , 2018
To any security analyst the reported killing of four militants, on June 22, 2018 by synergized operation of security forces, in Anantnag district, with two out of them affiliated to the Islamic...
Trump–Kim Summit: A Gamble beyond Optics
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 13 Jun , 2018
The world is talking of this Summit as a historic moment with hopes that it will bring peace to Korean Peninsula. Reading between the lines, beyond the niceties and magnificent optics displayed,...
Pakistan Seeking Ceasefire with India: Ploy to Release International Pressure
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 31 May , 2018
The news break of Indian and Pakistani Director General Military Operations (DGMOs) agreeing to “fully implement the 2003 ceasefire understanding in letter and spirit”, through a special...
Will Development and Embrace bring Peace to Kashmir? Is the Prescription...
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 23 May , 2018
The developmental efforts initiated by Indian Government in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are a welcome measure for the state as well as for the country. These have been preceded by...
Kim and Moon for a Nuclear Free Korea: Needs Decoding beyond Optics
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 03 May , 2018
Every event of Korean leaders’ summit on 27 April 2018 has been covered extensively by the media highlighting their pledge to end their six decades of hostility. Airing their rhetoric about...
Aftermath of US Missiles Attack on Syria: Is it really 'Mission Accomplished'?
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 24 Apr , 2018
The aftermath of US and its ally’s action of claiming to have targeted Syrian Chemical weapon related establishments, and taught a lesson to Syria is full of contradictions and conflicting news...
Tibetan Water- China’s Resource or Global Common: Concern for India!
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 07 Feb , 2018
Historically water has been the most important resource, strategic tool and cause of many conflicts before oil became strategically relevant in 19th and 20th Centuries. By next one or two...
Canada Meeting on North Korea and Kim’s ‘Sports Diplomacy’: Who is...
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 22 Jan , 2018
Two contradictory events set an uneven tone for Korean Crisis. China condemns the 20 nation call for tougher sanctions against North Korea, held this week in Canada, attempting to pressurise North...
Is Nuclear Blackmailing Theory going to be a New Normal? Can the World...
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 14 Nov , 2017
The use of nuclear capability as insurance for its defence, was cited as the main reason by every country, which added nuclear weapons to its armory, ever since it was invented. It spiraled into a...
North Korea and South China Sea Flashpoints: Are worthwhile Options left on...
By: Maj Gen SB Asthana | Issue: Net Edition | Date: 05 Oct , 2017
During recent verbal exchanges of provocative statements between US and North Korea, US has been maintaining that they have ‘All the options on the table’, while Kim continued with missile...