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BOOK REVIEW: 1965 A WESTERN SUNRISE – INDIA’S WAR WITH PAKISTAN

 

Published by Book review literary Trust

 

BOOK REVIEW:

1965 A WESTERN SUNRISE

INDIA’S WAR WITH PAKISTAN

By Shiv Kunal Verma

 

Review by: Air Marshal Anil Khosla (Retd) PVSM, AVSM, VM

Former Vice Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force.

The Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 was the second major war fought between the two countries after the partition in 1947. The war also called the “Second Kashmir War”, was a culmination of skirmishes that took place in the preceding months. The seventeen-day war (06 Sep – 22 Sep 65) caused thousands of casualties on both sides.  The hostilities between the two countries ended after a ceasefire was declared through United Nations Security Council Resolution, following diplomatic intervention by the Soviet Union and the United States, and the subsequent issuance of the Tashkent declaration. India had the upper hand over Pakistan when the ceasefire was declared and the conflict was seen as a strategic and political defeat for Pakistan.

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Lessons: Air War in Ukraine

 

Being prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.

– George Washington

 

Russia – Ukraine war has entered the fourth month, with no end in sight. This war has affected every aspect of warfare and international engagement. The war has brought into focus the issues related to the new emerging world order, multilateralism, collective security, nuclear deterrence, economic sanctions, information warfare, and food & energy security.

 

Russia has not used the full potential of its military power against Ukraine. Question intriguing the military analysts is why the airpower has not been utilised fully and freely. While Russia is being criticised by the West for its lack of capabilities, another school of thought is that Russia is following a delicate approach towards the use of force and ensuing destruction. While the world is eagerly waiting for the end of this conflict, a lot of lessons are emerging from the prevailing situation.

 

General Aspects of war

 

Objectives. Officially, Russia stated her objectives of the “special military operation” as “demilitarisation, denazification and assurance about the neutral status of Ukraine (i.e. not joining NATO)”. The operations were justified by Russia, citing help call from the Donbas region for its liberation from Ukraine. In retrospect, it appears the undeclared objective was also to consolidate the Russian hold on Crimea.

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