News + Media
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In the NewsFebruary 17, 2021China removes tanks and dismantles helipad, easing border tension with IndiaWill GlasgowThe AustralianM Taylor Fravel quoted: “In the near term, the disengagement greatly reduces the chance of military escalation between two nuclear-armed powers by creating buffer zones between their frontline forces,” said M Taylor Fravel, an expert on China’s territorial disputes at MIT. “In the longer term, it could serve as the basis for talks to reduce incidents along the LAC, especially in areas where the two countries view the location of the LAC differently,” Mr Fravel told The Australian. |
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Analysis + OpinionFebruary 16, 2021Can Europe defend itself?Barry Posen joins the Eurasia Group Foundation’s Mark Hannah to discuss the future of the alliance and America’s security interests in Europe. They cover Posen’s recent piece for the journal Survival, in which he insists—and demonstrates how—Europe can defend itself. |
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Analysis + OpinionFebruary 16, 2021After the apocalypse: US nuclear policyInkstick MediaWhat should the Biden administration prioritize when it comes to US nuclear policy? Heather Williams and Vipin Narang are among the scholars requested to offer their recommendations. |
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Analysis + OpinionFebruary 14, 2021Russia’s new crises on the peripheryCarol SaivetzLawfareSince the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991, Russia has sought to maintain its sway in the post-Soviet space despite numerous upheavals. Carol Saivetz explains in a recent article first published here in Lawfare. |
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In the NewsFebruary 12, 2021Indian and Chinese troops start disengagement at Pangong Tso; experts discussCNBC-TV18The Chinese PLA have withdrawn over 200 tanks and have started removing troops from south Pangong region. Defence minister Rajnath Singh told parliament on Thursday that Indian and Chinese troops have reached an agreement on disengagement. To discuss this, Parikshit Luthra spoke to Ananth Krishnan, China correspondent at The Hindu, and M Taylor Fravel, director of security studies at MIT. |
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In the NewsFebruary 12, 2021How India stood its ground and forced China to end Pangong Tso aggressionSnehesh Alex Philip and Nayanima BasuThe PrintM Taylor Fravel quoted: “Although it remains early days, my view is that China is responding to the significant deterioration of US-China relations in the past year, and the way in which its international image has suffered in many countries, at a time when the party will launch the 14th five-year plan that is critical to its development goals,” Fravel added. |
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In the NewsFebruary 12, 2021Impeachment video shows Pence had 'nuclear football' as he moved away from Capitol riotMorgan GstalterThe HillVipin Narang quoted: “More jarring than seeing the ‘football’ follow Pence as he was being evacuated — it is just a communication device, at no point could it’s compromise have resulted in a launch — is knowing that the man who possessed sole authority to launch American nukes at the time incited this mob,” Narang wrote. |
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In the NewsFebruary 11, 2021Indian, Chinese armies begin pullback at LACRahul Singh and Sutirtho PatranobisHindustan TimesVipin Narang quoted: Vipin Narang, associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said: “Let’s see what happens. Any movement toward disengagement is good, but it has to be real and sustained, and verified not just in Pangong but eventually elsewhere as well. It can’t be China pretending to disengage and India pretending to believe it.” |
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Analysis + OpinionFebruary 5, 2021India’s farm protests turned violent last week. But why are farmers protesting in the first place?Saksham Khosla and Aidan MilliffThe Washington PostFarmers remain steadfast in their demands — a full repeal of the new laws. Union leaders promise to continue protests late into the year, and the government shows few signs of backing down from the broader agricultural policy agenda. The standoff will be another hard test of India’s ability to resolve political disputes through peaceful consensus-building. |
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In the NewsFebruary 5, 2021To arms or to flight?Leda ZimmermanMIT Political ScienceWhy do some people fight and others flee when confronting violence? “This question has been bothering me for quite some time,” says Aidan Milliff, a fifth-year doctoral student who entered political science to explore the strategic choices people make in perilous times. |