Terrorism And Low Intensity Conflict In South Asian Region

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.

This monograph highlights key factors in South Asia imperiling U.S. interests, and suggests how and where the U.S. military might play an expanded, influential role. It suggests seven steps the military might take to better advance and defend U.S. interests in South Asia, the Middle East, and Asia at large. Washington should intensify involvement in South Asia and become more influential with the governments there. Given the area's potential for violence, it should also shape part of the U.S. military to meet potential crises.

The research reported here was part of a study called War and Escalation in South Asia, which was sponsored by the U.S. Air Force Director of Plans (XOX); Commander Central Command Air Forces (CENTAF/CC); and Commander, Pacific Air Force (PACAF/CC); and conducted within the Strategy and Doctrine Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE (PAF). This monograph focuses on the highlights that emerged from an examination of the potential for regional conflicts, tensions, and instability in South Asia to endanger U.S. goals and objectives in the region and more broadly, U.S. equities in the Middle East and greater Asia. Because India and Pakistan are both nuclear weapon states with a long history of tensions and sporadic violence between them, much of the monograph focuses on their relations and the potential for future trouble. This study deals with other sources of friction and conflict, although in a more limited scope. The research should be of interest to anyone concerned with regional stability issues. Other recent RAND research on South Asia includes the following: The Counterterror Coalitions: Cooperation with Pakistan and India, C. Christine Fair (MG-141-AF, 2004). This monograph examines U.S. strategic relations with India and Pakistan both historically and in the current context of the global war on terrorism. It concludes that the intractable dispute over the disposition of Kashmir remains a critical flashpoint between India and Pakistan and a continual security challenge and offers five policy options on how the United States might proceed.

This book examines the major armed conflicts in South Asia — in India (with special reference to the Northeast, Jammu & Kashmir and the Naxalites), Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Designed as an annual series, the articles cover a set of issues across volumes. Each article provides a brief historical sketch of the emergence of armed conflict and outlines its various phases. The roles, objectives and strategies of the major state, non-state and international actors are critically evaluated.

A common thread ties together the five case studies of this book: the persistence with which the bilateral relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union continues to dominate American foreign and regional policies. These essays analyze the LIC environment in Central Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa.

Following The Terrorist Attacks In New York And Washington, D.C. On 11 September 2001, South Asia Emerged As The Epicentre Of The War Against Terrorism, With The Involvement Of The American And Coalition Forces Against Al Qaeda In Afghanistan. The Development Brought Into Focus Not Only The Spectre Posed By The Threat Of Global Terrorism, But Also The Dangers Which Terrorism Poses Within And Among The Countries Of The Region. In South Asia, There Is A Consensus That Terrorism Has A Negative Impact On Economic Development, But The Assessment Differs Significantly Depending On The Experience Of Individual Countries. There Is, Therefore, A Need To Develop A Common Methodology To Calculate The Costs Of Conflicts Which Should Be Able To Demonstrate, Among Other Things, That Conflicts Are Responsible For The Economic Ills Of Countries. Such An Exercise Would Be Incomplete Without A Better Understanding Of The Economy Of Terrorism, Including The Sources And Methods Of Its Financing And Its Economic Networking. Similarly, There Is Also A Consensus In The Region That Terrorism Undermines And Weakens The Democratic Structure Of Countries, But It Is Not Yet Fully Clear How That Is Done. Most Papers In The Present Volume Have Attempted To Address Both The Causes And Consequences Of Terrorism, And Strongly Underscore The Need For Case-By-Case Study Of Individual Terrorist Groups To See How They Have Impacted On The State Structure

Published in association with Regional Centre for Strategic Studies, Colombo Even though South Asia had a long and diverse experience of dealing with terrorism, post 9/11 a sense of urgency and seriousness has been reinforced with regard to it at the global level. The focus in this timely volume is on the strategic evolved by the South Asian states in responding to the challenge of terrorism. It is inevitable, however, that while looking at the strategies, essential characteristics of terrorism are also understood and explained as the nature of terrorism faced in each of the South Asian countries has its own specific aspects. The study is divided into two sections. In the first section, the way in which each of the South Asian states have responded to terrorism. Has been studied carefully. In the second section, some of the comparative aspects of the region perspective, such as the role of civil societies, consequences of strategies pursued, role of the third parties, and political economy of terrorism and responding strategies have been taken up for discussion and analysis. There is also a data paper on South Asian terrorism included at the end. Contributors include Ajay Sahni, Samina Ahmed, Abul Kalam, Ayesha Siddiqa, Deepak Thapa among many others.

Low intensity conflicts (or LICs) are motivated and sustained by a strong ideology—be it economic, political, ethnic or psychological. Through a sustained process of attrition, these often protracted struggles are capable of bringing the state to its knees, besides draining the exchequer and resulting in the loss of many lives. This important book is the first comprehensive account of LICs in India from 1947 to the present. The conflicts covered in detail are: - Militancy in both Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir - The complex problems in the North-East - The agitation for Gorkhaland and Naxalite violence. Lt Col Vivek Chadha covers all facets of these LICs including their causes and origins, the factors that sustain them and the trajectory of each. He provides a comparative analysis of the causes of these conflicts and examines the state’s response in dealing with them. Insightful, objective and lucidly written, this book will attract a wide readership among army, paramilitary and police personnel as well as administrators, policy-makers and students of strategic studies.