NASA’s Midas Touch: Parker Probe Touching The Sun

In Greek mythology, Icarus was the son of an architect called Daedalus. They wanted to escape from the island of Crete since the king had imprisoned them for sharing their secrets. Daedalus had constructed wings from birds’ moulted feathers and some other materials. He had used the beeswax for the ‘construction’ of the wings. Daedalus had warned his son that he should not fly too high. But Icarus became overambitious and flew too close to the Sun. The heat melted the wax in his wings, and he drowned in the sea.

AJEY LELE

India-Russia “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” Reaches New Heights

The India-Russia relationship has entered a new phase, marked by intensified bilateral engagements over the past six months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Moscow twice this year, in July and October, to strengthen ties with Russia, a steadfast ally. Most recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s three-day visit to Moscow (December 8–10, 2024) signaled a new chapter in the India-Russia defence partnership.

MAHESH RANJAN DEBATA

TM: Jihadist Threats and Propaganda Campaigns Target Indian Elections

December 13, 2024

Executive Summary: Islamist groups, including al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), and Islamic State in Hind Province (ISHP), attempted to destabilize India during the legislative elections from April to June with threats, anti-Hindu/anti-democratic propaganda, and terrorist attacks. Most of these efforts were foiled, but collectively, the actions represented a large-scale attempt to destabilize Indian society.

ANIMESH ROUL

Defend the Guard: Challenging the Forever War Paradigm in the United States

As the United States continues to provide both overt and covert support to conflicts in Eurasia and the Middle East, a growing grassroots initiative known as the 'Defend the Guard' movement has emerged to challenge federal military policies at home. Originating in 2015 with the introduction of the 'Defend the Guard Act' by the West Virginia legislature, this movement seeks to protect the constitutional rights of states and National Guard personnel.

SELENA GREEN & MAHESH RANJAN DEBATA

NGO Statement: The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Chemical Weapons Regulation

Mr. Chairman, Director-General, Distinguished Delegates, Civil Society Colleagues:

As advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) continue to transform the global technological landscape, civil society calls for proactive measures under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to address emerging AI-driven threats. AI can improve verification, monitoring, and preventive actions within CWC mandates. However, it also poses unique risks in both civilian and military applications.

Animesh Roul & Emad Kiyaei