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[Thread] Islands and Indian Ocean security: I notice an increase in opinion pieces and analysis advocating for use of strategic islands in the ongoing US, India, Australia (among others) competition with China. (1/15)
First, it is great to see increasing public discussion on role/use of islands as I believe they will come to play a bigger role in shaping great power competition. However, some of us have been working on this issue and advocating for such collaborations for a few years now(2/15)
It is extremely disheartening to see new analysis and opinion pieces put forward the very same ideas without a single citation or reference. I have been focusing on islands and maritime strategy for a few years now and not alone in it and there have been many more before me(3/15)
However, there are far few voices on strategic use of islands in the Indian Ocean than in the Pacific. A simple google search will show most pieces on the topic. Since the topic is getting the traction it deserves,... (4/15)
I am taking this opportunity to highlight some of my recent work on the issue. Please feel free to reference it, especially if you are borrowing an idea that already exists and I look forward to learning from this discussion, which I hope will survive the news cycle. (5/15)
Hope this thread proves helpful for those looking to gain a better understanding on the issues & debates.
An overview of islands and their proximity to chokepoints in the IOR for @AsiaMTI (6/15) https://carnegieindia.org/2018/04/20/islands-as-game-changers-in-indian-ocean-pub-76147
An overview of islands and their proximity to chokepoints in the IOR for @AsiaMTI (6/15) https://carnegieindia.org/2018/04/20/islands-as-game-changers-in-indian-ocean-pub-76147
On Andaman and Cocos Keeling (Australia) for @LowyInstitute (7/15) https://carnegieindia.org/2020/05/22/islands-of-opportunity-where-india-and-australia-can-work-together-pub-81940
On Andaman and La Reunion for @WarOnTheRocks (8/15) https://carnegieindia.org/2019/03/20/sister-islands-in-indian-ocean-region-linking-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-to-la-r-union-pub-78671
On how Delhi can maximize its potential in the IOR through these islands and in collaboration with partners such as US, Australia, France, Japan for @CNASdc (9/15) https://carnegieindia.org/2019/10/23/strengthening-delhi-s-strategic-partnerships-in-indian-ocean-pub-80227
On geopolitics of Indian Ocean islands for @SAVoices (10/15) https://carnegieindia.org/2020/01/09/geopolitics-of-indian-ocean-islands-in-2019-takeaways-for-traditional-powers-pub-80824
On the concept of smart islands for @EconomicTimes (11/15) https://carnegieindia.org/2017/10/18/andaman-and-nicobar-as-india-s-smart-islands-pub-73468
On islands in the western Indian Ocean @EconomicTimes (12/15) https://carnegieindia.org/2019/10/17/african-islands-in-indian-ocean-looking-beyond-delhi-s-strategic-blindness-pub-80226
On potential of Island territories in advancing collaborations between India, Australia, Japan, US and France @AsiaMTI (13/15) https://carnegieindia.org/2019/12/17/realizing-potential-of-island-territories-perspective-from-delhi-pub-80644
While I have done this thread to highlight some of my recent work on islands, there are many other experts such as @nilanthis @MsBhatt_Pooja @MLevaillant @VeerleNouwens @asyura_salleh @CleoPaskal @DPanditaratne @Kate_SdE and many many others who are specifically... (14/15)
looking at maritime security, strategic islands, IOR and other aspects of naval strategy. Please read their work and cite them. I truly hope this is helpful (15/15)
