The Iranian nuclear fatwa that never was

Published as ISSSP Reflections, December 11, 2015
available at http://isssp.in/the-iranian-nuclear-fatwa-that-never-was/

In the past, whenever doubts arose about the intentions of Iran’s nuclear program, the Iranian regime has been quick to point to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khomenei’s fatwa (pg. 121) (decree) as a guarantee of Iran’s resolve not to pursue nuclear weapons. Many Iranian leaders like former head of the Iranian judiciary, Ayatollah Amoli Larijani have quoted the Supreme Leader’s fatwa to reiterate any lack of interest in pursuing nuclear weapons. In an interview with Gareth Porter of Foreign Policy, former IRGC minister and head of the Supreme Leaders’ security detail, Mohsen Rafighdoost, stated that the Supreme Leader had described nuclear weapons as haram and proscribed building nuclear or chemical weapons even in face of attacks on Iranian cities with chemical weapons. In fact Iran’s then foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi had suggested (pg 40) that Iran could made the fatwa ‘a legally binding official document in the UN.’ However, nothing much came out of it.

Despite these strident claims from the Iranian side, there have been doubts – much to Iran’s chargin – about the fatwa and the role it will play in reining in the Iranian pursuit of a nuclear weapons program. One of the reasons for these persistent doubts is that the fatwa has never been actually published. In addition, as Ariane Tabatabai writes, “The scope of this prohibition remains unclear, as some of his statements point at a more comprehensive ban, including on the “production, stockpiling, and use” of such weapons, while others merely encompass their “use.”

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India gets the message all wrong after Myanmar foray

Security Forces conducting operations
Copyright: The Statesman

Recent events along the Indo–Myanmar border have proven that India’s Narendra Modi government has a different playbook when it comes to pro-active responses against groups that harm Indian national interests.

On 4 June, the Indian Army suffered its worst casualties in almost a decade when 18 soldiers were killed and 14 injured in an attack by insurgents belonging to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland’s Khaplang faction (NSCN-K) in Chandel district, Manipur. The Indian government was quick to respond by launching a special forces operation in the early hours of 9 June. Operation Peace led to attacks on insurgent camps belonging to the NSCN-K.

This article was published in the website of the East Asia Forum on July 2, 2015

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International Relations: What, Why and How?

I was invited to deliver an Orientation Lecture to the students of the M.A. International Relations (First Year), Christ University, Bangalore on June 11, 2015.

The talk introduced the students to the theoretical debates in the discipline. It provided a brief introduction to research methodology and important concepts in the field of International Relations. 

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Inside the Pakistan Army: Moves on the Chessboard

On April 9, 2015, Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) put out two short press releases. The two-line press releases gave the names of the officers promoted from the rank of Maj. General to Lt. General and details of key new postings. This was the second major reshuffle that has taken place in the higher echelons of the Pakistan Army after General Raheel Sharif took over as the 15th Chief of the Pakistan Army in November 2013. The article examines the recent appointments within the Pakistan Army and analyses the changes that have occurred under current Army Chief Raheel Sharif. Specifically, the possible changes have occurred within the Strategic Plans Division are assessed and predictions on the possible choices for the next Army Chief made.This article was published on the Generation Why website, South Asian Voices, Stimson Center, June 5, 2015. It was co-authored with Ms. Ramya P.S, Junior Research Fellow, NIAS

 
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Space and Arms Control

International Conference on “India’s Perspectives on Arms Control and Disarmament: Seeking Security through Cooperation”, May 18-20, 2015, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla

Arun Vishwanathan, Assistant Professor, International Strategic and Security Studies Programme, NIAS

Group Photo of Conference Speakers at IIAS, Shimla

The conference sought to assess the Indian approach to nuclear disarmament and global arms control issues and also to explore how India should move forward, if there is a need for a new approach or if the country needs to expend more effort.

The focus of the conference was on four important trends and developments during the last decade. First, global politics and the contemporary prospects for nuclear disarmament; secondly, prospects and consequences of further nuclear proliferation, especially the likelihood that the world may be entering a New Nuclear Age; thirdly, multilateralism and disarmament politics and fourthly, new issues in arms control, specifically cyber security and Outer Space.

Dr. Arun Vishwanathan, Assistant Professor, National Institute Advanced Studies spoke on prospects of Arms Control efforts in light of reliance on space based assets for offensive and defensive platforms and the fact that separation between such systems is artificial at best.

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Nuclear Dynamics in Southern Asia

Nuclear Dynamics in Southern Asia: China, India and Pakistan
Prof S Chandrashekar & Dr Arun Vishwanathan (NIAS, Bangalore)

I and Prof. Chandrashekar delivered a lecture at the NIAS-IPCS Young Scholars Workshop at the NIAS, Bangalore on "Nuclear Dynamics in Southern Asia" on May 5, 2015. This presentation looked at the trilateral nuclear relationship between India, China and Pakistan. The lecture analysed the evolving Chinese nuclear and missile capabilities and its influence on Chinese nuclear strategy and thinking.

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Nuclearisation of South Asia: Implications for India’s National Security

Nuclearisation of South Asia: Implications for India’s National Security, Jawaharlal Nehru University, March 27, 2015

I presented a paper on te Evolution of Missile Technologies in India along with Prof Rajaram Nagappa at the Center for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. This was part of an authors’ conference for an Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR) project titled “Nuclearisation of South Asia: Implications for India’s National Security” on March 27, 2015. 

Members of the ISSSP, NIAS presented two papers at the conference. LV Krishnan presented his paper on Evolution of Strategic Nuclear Technologies in India. Rajaram Nagappa and Arun Vishwanathan presented their paper on Evolution of Missile Technologies in India. The papers will be published as part of a forthcoming edited book. 

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