Outlook

‘With its comprehensive military capacity in the South China Sea, China is not afraid of a military showdown in this area.’

2015 was a fruitful year for Japanese security policy; the coming year will be an absolutely critical one for the region.

Russia entered 2015 burdened by a confrontation with Ukraine and the Western countries, which had thrown their weight behind Kiev. Western hostility took the form of painful economic sanctions against Moscow.

‘This is a war over our core values and our way of life. This is a war of cultures.’

‘The idea of remaining indifferent, of not trying at all costs to save the lives of these people … is inconceivable for a country like Italy.’

Around the Euro-Atlantic area, the breadth of instability encountered today has not been seen since the Cold War

In Syria, the international coalition against ISIL is expected to intensify its operations in 2016. This will result in the weakening of Daesh positions primarily in Syria but will also strengthen the Syrian regime’s hold on power.

‘No insurgent group is gaining or holding ground in Afghanistan, and the Taliban have failed to achieve their strategic objectives.’

“More disastrous terrorist attacks should be expected in 2016 if the overarching strategy of major world powers in fighting ISIS is not corrected.”

India will need to recalibrate its regional policy to arrest fast deteriorating relations with some neighbors.