1st Edition
Intelligence Services in South Asia Colonial Past and Post-Colonial Realities
This book explores colonial and post-colonial intelligence services in South Asia. It traces the genealogy of the institutions to analyze changes and continuities throughout the region.
The volume also provides a framework for analyzing how intelligence services developed in these countries by looking at both internal and external issues, and shows how vital and sometimes interconnected these issues are for understanding intelligence in South Asia. It demonstrates how some countries and intelligence services borrowed from the colonial era and others started new institutions to protect national security in response to the shifting demands of the Cold War and post-Cold War era. Bringing together a group of international scholars, the anthology delves into the intelligence services of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and traces how these national services developed in similar and diverse ways.
This book will be of much interest to students of intelligence studies, Asian politics, security studies and International Relations.
Introduction, Ryan Shaffer and ASM Ali Ashraf Chapter 1. Afghanistan: Besieged From Without and Within, Prem Mahadevan Chapter 2. Bangladesh: In Search of an Analytical Culture, ASM Ali Ashraf Chapter 3. Bhutan: A Historical Analysis of National Security and Neighborhood Diplomacy, Praveen Kumar Chapter 4. India: Intelligence Changes and Continuities, Ryan Shaffer Chapter 5. The Maldives: Intelligence As a Weapon for Power Consolidation, Then and Now, Abdulla Phairoosch Chapter 6. Myanmar: The Development of An Intelligence State, Andrew Selth Chapter 7. Nepal: Intelligence Response to Insurgent Challenge, Thomas A. Marks Chapter 8. Pakistan: In Defense of its Ideological Frontiers, Dheeraj Paramesha Chaya Chapter 9. Sri Lanka: Intelligence Transformation During Colonialism, Civil War and Jihad, Martin J. Gallagher Chapter 10. Intelligence Oversight in South Asia: Explaining Variations in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, ASM Ali Ashraf and Md Sohel Rana Chapter 11. Conclusion: South Asian Intelligence Issues, Factors and Attributes, Ryan Shaffer and ASM Ali Ashraf
Biography
Ryan Shaffer is an independent scholar and has a PhD in history with expertise in extremism and security. His books include The Handbook of Asian Intelligence Cultures, The Handbook of African Intelligence Cultures and African Intelligence Services: Early Postcolonial and Contemporary Challenges.
ASM Ali Ashraf is a Professor and Chair of the Department of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He holds a PhD in international security policy from the University of Pittsburgh. He specializes in counterterrorism, intelligence, security and public policy.
'This book is an admirable exercise into the study of intelligence operations, a hitherto taboo and less explored area of intellectual inquiry in our parlance. It should immensely aid academics, public safety experts, practitioners and students of criminal justice administration.'
Muhammad Nurul Huda, Former Inspector General of Police, Bangladesh
"A compelling and insightful look into the intelligence apparatus of South Asia. A must-read for anyone interested in the dynamics of power and intelligence in our region."
Abdullah Kamaluddeen, Former Home Minister of the Maldives
“A great survey of South Asian intelligence. Comprehensive and insightful.”
Owen Bennett-Jones, author of The Bhutto Dynasty: The Struggle for Power in Pakistan
