India-Pak CBMs and Cricket: Duck, Six or Somewhere in Between?

My article (co-authored with Aryaman Bhatnagar) published in Generation Why: South Asian Voices, Stimson Center, Washington DC, August 30, 2013

http://southasianvoices.org/india-pak-cbms-and-cricket-duck-six-or-somewhere-in-between/

A simple search will throw up several definitions of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). Given deep suspicions of the ‘other’ and unresolved bilateral disputes, Indo-Pak CBMs are seen as a means to establish channels of communication and increase transparency between the two countries. Currently such mechanisms exist to increase military to military ties, greater people to people contact, provide advance notification of military manoeuvres and missile tests among others. Given cricket’s popularity in both countries, it has been seen as a possible CBM. Seen as a ‘quick fix’ to improve relations, given the sport’s popularity, in reality cricket might not translate into much in terms of better Indo-Pak relations.

For the complete article click here

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Storming the world stage: the story of Lashkar-e-Taiba

My review of Stephen Tankel's book Storming the World Stage: The Story of Lashkar-e-Taiba has been published by Contemporary South Asia, Vol. 21, No. 3, 2013, pp. 83-84.

Stephen Tankel's book, Storming the world stage, is a tour de force on the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT or Lashkar). LeT is one of most capable militant groups that has carried out acts of terrorism in India over the past two decades. This comprehensive study provides plenty of details on the origins, organisation, and operations of the LeT. Tankel shows that the LeT is the leading group among the various militant organisations supported by Pakistan that act as proxies in the ongoing confrontation with India. 

Storming the world stage begins with a comprehensive overview of the range of militant organisations active in Pakistan. It then goes on to delve into the origins of the Lashkar noting its origins and continuing ties with the religious, missionary organisation now known as Jamaat-ul Dawa (JuD). Tankel traces the various identities the group has assumed over the years as well as showing how LeT has been supported by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The latter part of the book charts the growth and expansion of LeT's capabilities such that it was able to mount terror operations like the Mumbai attacks of November 2008, of course, with ISI's support. Pakistan's reaction, or rather the lack of any action, following the US announcement of a US$10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of LeT chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in April 2012 highlights Lashkar's favoured status.

For the rest of the review visit http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/EFDRAZ87fQKThJi5IuZc/full

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