Armed Militias of South Asia

Armed Militias of South Asia PDF Author: Christophe Jaffrelot
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 9780199326914
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
There seems to be no end to the growing number of victims of civil war, terrorism, guerrilla warfare and military repression on the Indian subcontinent, despite the absence of interstate wars over the past ten years. These conflicts often involve armed paramilitary militias or insurgents of one sort or other, and it is their ideology, sociology and strategies that the contributors to this book investigate. Whether based on ideological motives--such as the Maoists and Naxalites in Nepal and India--or invested with a fundamentalist religious mission--the Hindu nationalist Bajrang Dal in India, the Sunni SSP in Pakistan, or Islamist militias in Bangladesh--all these movements use violence to exercise social control, challenge the authority of the state and impose their own particular worldview. Although they seek also to undermine the state, depriving it of the monopoly on legitimate violence that it supposedly holds, governments are equally adept at exploiting them to make them serve their own ends. For the authorities, these movements can be useful tools for their pursuit of both moral and social order. However delegating power to such groups for short term political gains can be an extremely risky enterprise, as demonstrated by Indira Gadhi's patronage of the Sikh militant group that later assassinated her. Armed Militas of South Asia is the first comprehensive book of its sort and will be required reading for all those interested in the politics of the subcontinent and Myanmar.

Armed Militias of South Asia

Armed Militias of South Asia PDF Author: Christophe Jaffrelot
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 9780199326914
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book

Book Description
There seems to be no end to the growing number of victims of civil war, terrorism, guerrilla warfare and military repression on the Indian subcontinent, despite the absence of interstate wars over the past ten years. These conflicts often involve armed paramilitary militias or insurgents of one sort or other, and it is their ideology, sociology and strategies that the contributors to this book investigate. Whether based on ideological motives--such as the Maoists and Naxalites in Nepal and India--or invested with a fundamentalist religious mission--the Hindu nationalist Bajrang Dal in India, the Sunni SSP in Pakistan, or Islamist militias in Bangladesh--all these movements use violence to exercise social control, challenge the authority of the state and impose their own particular worldview. Although they seek also to undermine the state, depriving it of the monopoly on legitimate violence that it supposedly holds, governments are equally adept at exploiting them to make them serve their own ends. For the authorities, these movements can be useful tools for their pursuit of both moral and social order. However delegating power to such groups for short term political gains can be an extremely risky enterprise, as demonstrated by Indira Gadhi's patronage of the Sikh militant group that later assassinated her. Armed Militas of South Asia is the first comprehensive book of its sort and will be required reading for all those interested in the politics of the subcontinent and Myanmar.

Military Manpower, Armies and Warfare in South Asia

Military Manpower, Armies and Warfare in South Asia PDF Author: Kaushik Roy
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317321286
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 271

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Book Description
Roy investigates the various factors that influenced the formation and mobilization of military forces in the region from 300 BC to the modern day.

Terrorism and Low Intensity Conflict in South Asian Region

Terrorism and Low Intensity Conflict in South Asian Region PDF Author: Omprakash Mishra
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Low-intensity conflicts (Military science)
Languages : en
Pages : 608

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Book Description
Terrorism and low intensity conflicts are not new in South Asia but the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States suddenly gave the events a new dimension. From regional considerations, terrorism acquired global connotation and in this changed perspective, South Asian terrorism and low intensity conflicts needed to be explored afresh. The geographical region covered by the book includes predominantly the member countries of SAARC, Afghanistan and Myanmar, as also specific case studies including a few instances of terrorist activities from beyond the region. The papers analyse the societal, political and economic factors responsible for the rise and salience of terrorism; the challenges posed by terrorism and low intensity conflict on peace, stability and security of the nation-states and people; the international, regional and national regime against terrorism and perpetrators of mass violence; the motives, ideologies, strategies and activities of various non-state armed groups in South Asia; and thereby contribute toward meaningful policy options in tackling terrorism and activities of armed groups.

The State at War in South Asia

The State at War in South Asia PDF Author: Pradeep Barua
Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
ISBN: 0803213441
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 459

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Book Description
This study offers a panoramic view of the evolution of the South Asian state's military system and its contribution to the effectiveness of the state itself."--BOOK JACKET.

Civil-military Relations in South Asia

Civil-military Relations in South Asia PDF Author: Veena Kukreja
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 316

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Book Description


Pathways for Irregular Forces in Southeast Asia

Pathways for Irregular Forces in Southeast Asia PDF Author: Atsushi Yasutomi
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9781003143994
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 200

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Book Description
"An exploration of the roles that pro- and anti-government militias, private armed groups, vigilantes, and gangs play in local communities in the new democracies of Southeast Asia. Scholars have typically characterized irregular forces as spoilers and infiltrators in post-conflict peacebuilding processes. The contributors to this book challenge this conventional understanding of irregular forces in Southeast Asia, demonstrating that they often attract solid support from civilians and can be major contributors to the building of local security - a process by which local residents, in the absence of an effective police force, develop, partner or are at least included in the management of community crimes and other violence. They analyze irregular forces' dealings with political actors at the community level, explaining why and how forces are incorporated in and collaborate with legitimate institutions without using violence against them. Offering a new approach to dealing with irregular forces in Southeast Asia, contributors explore new theoretical frameworks that are better suited for evaluating irregular forces' relationship to different security providers and the political environments in the region. Specifically, they examine case studies from Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Thailand. A valuable resource for researchers, students and practitioners in the areas of conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and security governance, especially those with a focus on Southeast Asia. This book will also be of great interest to scholars of the sociology and anthropology of the region"--

Urban Battle Fields of South Asia

Urban Battle Fields of South Asia PDF Author: C. Christine Fair
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 9780833036827
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 150

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Book Description
Annotation Military operations in urban areas are among the most complex challenges confronting armed forces. The author analyzes sustained campaigns of urban terrorism in Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan, identifying key innovations of the militant organizations, as well as the three states' responses to the threats.

War and Escalation in South Asia

War and Escalation in South Asia PDF Author: John E. Peters
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 0833038125
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 121

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Book Description
The advent of two nuclear powers in South Asia, discoveries of nuclear trafficking, and insurgencies and terrorism that threaten important U.S. interests and objectives directly have transformed the region from a strategic backwater into a primary theater of concern for the United States. The United States, to a great extent free of the restrictions of earlier sanction regimes and attentive to the region's central role in the global war on terrorism (GWOT), has engaged the states of South Asia aggressively with a wide variety of policy initiatives. Despite the diversity of policy instruments, few are very powerful; indeed, only the U.S. military seems to offer many options for Washington to intensify further its security cooperation and influence in the region. This monograph highlights key factors in the region that imperil U.S. interests, and suggests how and where the U.S. military might play an expanded, influential role. The report notes that the current U.S. military force posture, disposition, and lines of command may not be optimal, given South Asia's new status in the U.S. strategic calculus, and suggests seven key steps the military might take to improve its ability to advance and defend U.S. interests, not only in South Asia, but beyond it, including the Middle East and Asia at large. Beyond the specifics, however, the broader message arising from this analysis is straightforward: the region's salience for U.S. policy interests has increased dramatically. It is therefore prudent to intensify Washington's involvement in the region and to devote the resources necessary to become more influential with the governments within the region. Given the area's potential for violence, it is also prudent to shape a part of the U.S. military to meet the potential crises emanating from South Asia, just as the United States once shaped its military presence in Western Europe for the contingencies of the Cold War.

India's Neighbourhood

India's Neighbourhood PDF Author: Vishal Chandra
Publisher:
ISBN: 9788182747067
Category : Armies
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Examines the role, relevance and status of armies in the dynamic socio-political milieu of the countries in India's South Asian neighbourhood. This book is part of an ongoing endeavour to further explore and understand the role of the Army in shaping the political destiny and defining the ideational evolution of states in South Asia.

Culture, Conflict and the Military in Colonial South Asia

Culture, Conflict and the Military in Colonial South Asia PDF Author: Kaushik Roy
Publisher: Routledge India
ISBN: 9781138206724
Category : Imperialism
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book offers diverse and original perspectives on South Asia's imperial military history. Unlike prevailing studies, the chapters in the volume emphasize both the vital role of culture in framing imperial military practice and the multiple cultural effects of colonial military service and engagements. The volume spans from the early East India Company period through to the Second World War and India's independence, exploring themes such as the military in the field and at leisure, as well as examining the effects of imperial deployments in South Asia and across the British Empire. Drawing extensively on new archival research, the book integrates previously disparate accounts of imperial military history and raises new questions about culture and operational practice in the colonial Indian Army. This work will be of interest to scholars and researchers of modern South Asian history, war and strategic studies, military history, the British Empire, as well as politics and international relations.