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Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Winning in the shadows: Why B Raman's playbook can help India win the proxy war against Pakistan
'The concept of victory as understood in a conventional war against another state does not apply to the unconventional war against terrorists. There is no definite point in time at which one could say that one has won the war against terrorism. Terrorists are not defeated in the sense of a state adversary being defeated in a conventional war. They are just made to wither away. The objective of the state must be to keep denying victory to the terrorists through better intelligence and better coordination, better analysis, better physical security and better follow-up action. Every time one manages to deny victory to terrorists through prevention or preemption, one makes progress in the fight against terrorism.' 'As the number of terrorist strikes prevented or preempted increases and as the number of successful terrorist strikes decreases, one starts seeing the impact on the terrorist organisation. Success is the oxygen of the terrorists. You keep denying them success, they start withering away. Often, the state becomes aware that a terrorist organisation has withered away long after it has. In India, we fought against externally sponsored terrorism in the Punjab for fourteen years from 1981. The last major terrorist strike was in 1995. Thereafter, the number of incidents steadily declined, and there were long periods when there were no terrorist incidents. We realised much later that the security forces had acquired the upper hand over the terrorists who had started withering away and that the turning point in the fight had come in 1992, without our having been aware of it at that time.' The above lines were written by the late B Raman, one of India's most illustrious intelligence officers and a globally-renowned expert on the subject of terrorism, about two decades ago. Referring to the category of 'state-directed terrorism' in which terrorist groups operate as agents of a government, receiving substantial intelligence, logistical and operational support from it, Raman, in his book, Intelligence: Past, Present and Future (2002), stressed that nations which let their will and readiness to retaliate when attacked be weakened by misplaced forbearance invite greater aggression. He, therefore, called for the formulation and implementation of a 'credible counter proxy-war strategy' to 'demonstrate to Pakistan that its proxy war against India would not be cost-free'. A reliable counter-proxy-war strategy against Pakistan, Raman wrote, would have an overt and a covert component. The overt component would consist of extending 'political, moral and diplomatic support' to the alienated sections of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the Northern Areas (now called Gilgit-Baltistan). The covert component cannot be discussed in public, but certain points could be flagged, based on the 'recognition of certain ground realities'. Ideas such as the right of hot pursuit, raids on terrorist camps across the LOC would not work. Covert actions against Pakistani interests in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan would be difficult because of the strong Punjabi-Pathan component, comprising mostly ex-servicemen, in the local population. The covert component of any counter-proxy-war policy would, therefore, have to be largely in areas where we will have the advantage of ground conditions and local support. 'We have to carefully choose the terrain that will hurt Pakistan and hurt it badly,' Raman wrote. Before drafting and implementing an effective counter proxy-war policy, we have to pose to ourselves certain questions which have been rarely raised, keeping in view the imperatives of national security, Raman further observed. The more important of these questions would include the following: Is it in India's interest to ensure that the law and order situation in Pakistan continues to be as bad as ever, thereby deterring foreign investment? Is it in India's interest to do anything, such as the resumption of bilateral trade, which might help Pakistan come out of its economic difficulties? Is it in India's interest that the unbridgeable sectarian divide in Pakistan gathers momentum? Is it in India's interest that the struggle of the non-Punjabi nationalities of Pakistan for a genuine confederation succeeds? Is it in India's interest that the movement for the restoration of democracy, with the army returning to the barracks with no political role, gathers momentum and succeeds? Is it in India's interest that Pakistan remains inextricably trapped in the black hole of Afghanistan? Is it in India's interest that the clerics and their organisations continue to drag Pakistan back into the past, thereby making it an unwelcome proposition for the rest of the world, either as an ally, a friend or an investment destination? 'You find the right answers to these questions and you will have the right mix of the covert component of our counter proxy-war strategy,' responsibility for the implementation of which is best left to a 'counter proxy-war centre in India's external intelligence establishment,' Raman concluded. From Mumbai in 2008 to Pahalgam in 2025, the trajectories of Pakistan's proxy-war and India's counter-proxy war responses have covered a long distance, but Raman's observations still retain their relevance. Indeed, they might be said to have acquired an added salience at the present moment. All policies and strategies, overt and covert, require a well-defined end goal as a yardstick to measure the extent of their success. A counter-proxy-war strategy can be no exception. Making Pakistan, and its military-intelligence establishment in particular, renounce proxy war as an instrument of policy is a realistic and achievable goal. The overt component, by definition, requires publicity in ample measure, whereas the covert component has to be conducted in the shadows. This is a fundamental distinction that the Indian media must understand and respect if it is to play a helpful role in its implementation. Both components require the presence of 'objective allies' in Pakistan and the strengthening of their influence. To that extent, approaches that may have the unintended consequence of alienating potential allies or weakening the strength of their constituency may prove counterproductive. The Indian state must now rededicate itself to the steadfast pursuit of such a credible and effective counter-proxy-war strategy against Pakistan and take it to its logical conclusion. The writer is a former special secretary in the Research & Analysis Wing. Views are personal
Tom's Guide
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Paramount Plus drops first 'NCIS: Tony and Ziva' trailer
(Image credit: Marcell Piti/Paramount+) After more than 20 years and six spin-off series, the "NCIS" television universe will further expand with the premiere of "NCIS: Tony and Ziva," which will see Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo reprise their roles as former NCIS special agents Anthony 'Tony' DiNozzo and Ziva David. In a franchise first, the 10-episode series will forgo the usual "NCIS" home of CBS for Paramount Plus, marking the first title in the "NCIS" universe to be developed exclusively for a streaming platform. The new crime procedural will pick up in Paris, France, where Ziva and Tony have been raising their daughter Tali, after Ziva's presumed death and subsequent return for one last mission. However, when Tony's security company is attacked, the duo must go on the run across Europe and try to figure out who is after them — all while learning to trust each other again. You may like (Fun fact: it will mark the characters' first time appearing onscreen together in 12 years, since the "NCIS" season 11 episode "Past, Present and Future.") 'I expect intrigue, romance, the background of Europe, impossible situations that will make our life very complicated but somehow a little something about love,' De Pablo revealed in a May 2024 Instagram video. And fans can get a taste of all that intrigue and romance for themselves with the spinoff's first official trailer, which the streaming service dropped on Monday, May 5. You can take a look at the action-packed teaser below: NCIS: Tony & Ziva | First Look Trailer | Paramount+ - YouTube Watch On "NCIS: Tony and Ziva" — which also stars Amita Suman, Maximilian Osinski, Julian Ovenden, Nassima Benchicou, Lara Rossi, Isla Gie, Terence Maynard and James D'Arcy — does not currently have an official premiere date set, though we do know that the new eps will drop sometime in fall 2025. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 'I'm incredibly grateful to CBS Studios and Paramount Plus for the chance to plunge these two beloved characters into a dangerous, fun, romantic, exciting chase across Europe,' said showrunner John McNamara, per Deadline. 'I'm excited to tell a single, serialized story of intrigue and espionage over 10 episodes, getting the chance to delve more deeply into Tony and Ziva's complex relationship, their on-again/off-again romance and the way they manage to co-parent their daughter Tali, heightened by the sudden jeopardy they all find themselves in." Added Weatherly: 'It was surprising how Cote and I just fell into this new place with our characters. Informed by the past, illuminated by the present and trying to see a future together. These characters are on the adventure of a lifetime. And hopefully, so is the viewer.' Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all things related to "NCIS: Tony and Ziva", including new teaser trailers, character details, plot points and more. Stay tuned! More on Tom's Guide
Perth Now
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Craig David and Usher in talks for song collaboration
Craig David and Usher are in talks about collaborating on a new song. The '7 Days' hitmaker joined the music superstar on stage during his 'Past, Present and Future' residency at London's O2 Arena earlier this month and the pair are now said to be planning to drop a new track together. A source told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column: "Usher and Craig have always had a huge amount of time for each other and there is a lot of respect between them. "After Usher had Craig up on stage with him at the O2 earlier this month, they then talked about working together on a new song. "Now they have asked their writers to come up with some ideas. "Usher has been quietly putting together a new record and maybe Craig could be a featured artist if they can find the right song." The 'OMG' singer paid tribute to Craig when the pair were together on stage recently as they duetted on the latter's tracks 'Fill Me In' and '7 Days'. The 46-year-old star said: "Every time we've ever met it's been positive, every chance we get to celebrate each other, we have. "I've learnt a lot from my audience to your audience. "Thank you for your contribution to R+B, the celebration of your music, you deserve it all week all year." Craig, 43, replied: "Me and this dude go way back, it's been a beautiful journey. "Anyone who's been there from the start, all the way through, we're grateful because your legacy is what we live for." The star revealed last year that he has spent years dreaming of a collaboration with the 'Yeah!' hitmaker since they shared a "moment" freestyling together on a French radio station in the early part of their careers. Speaking to BANG Showbiz at Capital's Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard, Craig said: "For me, having grown up listening to Usher, I feel that would be a great… we would create something special. "We had a moment at a place called Skyrock at a radio station over there in Paris and we did a little freestyle on the radio back when I was releasing 'Fill Me In', '7 Days' and he had 'You Make Me Wanna ... ' and about to go into his '8701' album so it was a moment. "Everyone was like: 'You guys need to [do something together]'. It would be one to say we ticked that box."
The Irish Sun
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Craig David in talks with American superstar to collaborate on new song after joining him on stage at London show
IT was certainly an evening to remember when Craig David joined Usher during his Past, Present and Future residency at London's O2 Arena. And it seems the pair don't want their time on stage to become a distant memory, as they are now in talks to collaborate on a new song. Advertisement 11 Craig David joined Usher during his Past, Present and Future residency at London's O2 Arena Credit: Alamy 11 Craig and the Yeah! singer are now in talks to collaborate on a new song Credit: AP Insiders told me Craig and Yeah! singer My music source told me: ' 'After Usher had 'Now they have asked their writers to get to work on some ideas. Advertisement READ MORE ON CRAIG DAVID 'Usher has been quietly putting together a new record and maybe Craig could be a featured artist if they can find the right song.' During their turn on stage on April 5, Usher paid tribute to 7 Days singer Craig in front of the 20,000-strong crowd and said: 'Every time we've ever met it's been positive, every chance we get to celebrate each other, we have. 'I've learnt a lot from my audience to your audience. 'Thank you for your contribution to Advertisement Most read in Bizarre Live Blog Craig replied: 'Me and this dude go way back, it's been a beautiful journey. 'Anyone who's been there from the start, all the way through, we're grateful because your legacy is what we live for.' Craig David shocks fans as he hosts surprise gig in bizarre location Craig wasn't fibbing, with him later revealing rare footage of them in a recording studio together years ago, when they were both starting out in the music business. He posted a clip of them freestyling over the radio around the same time he was releasing Fill Me In, while Usher was working on his album 8701 in 2001. Advertisement I have no doubt that these two would come up with some musical magic. MILEY THE IRON LADY 11 Miley Cyrus was pictured wearing a mad leather combo in Paris Credit: The Mega Agency 11 She was wearing similar colours to Marvel superhero Iron Man Credit: Handout COULD Miley Cyrus be a secret fan of Marvel's Iron Man? Advertisement She wore a mad leather combo in similar colours to the superhero while heading out in Paris. Miley, more recognisable without her shades on, inset, has been busy promoting her ninth album Something Beautiful, which comes out on May 30. Over the weekend, she was seen out and about in the French capital, and surprised some lucky fans who'd waited to meet her by filming a TikTok video with them. Alongside six of her hardcore followers, Miley sang her new track End Of The World, which I've no doubt will help rack up millions of streams on their account. Advertisement What a little legend she is. FEKKY ON THE FARM 11 Fekky has swapped rap for roosters after buying a farm Credit: Supplied 11 His latest venture will be of interest to fans of Clarkson's Farm Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun IF you're a fan of Clarkson's Farm but fancy something a little edgier, I suggest taking a look at Fekky's latest venture. Advertisement The musician, who counts Ed Sheeran and Skepta among his pals, has swapped rap for roosters after buying a farm, complete with 50 chickens, in 2021. He's filmed the transition for a new YouTube docu-series, Hood 2 Farm, which begins on May 25. Fekky tells me in an exclusive chat that going from the streets of Lewisham in South London to rolling fields was a shock to the system. 'F Manor is a lot of upkeep and you don't expect it to be that,' he says. Advertisement 'You've got to top the fields and these days they grow quicker than my hair. 'I've got two cockerels, too, which start up at 5am, and 50 chickens, so every day it's cleaning them out and collecting eggs. 'But I love it. In London I couldn't walk down the street without being stopped. In the countryside I feel free.' In his series, Fekky will travel to farms across the country to learn more about agriculture – and hopefully open that world up to a whole new audience. Advertisement He adds: 'It's like the meeting of two worlds. 'I grew up in Lewisham and we didn't see animals. 'I remember seeing this big pig and I thought pigs were all small, because the only ones I had seen were in books. 'I want to open up farming to everyone and help educate young people.' Advertisement Alongside his successful music career, Fekky has his charitable organisation, CC Foundation, which helps young people and the wider community in Lewisham. He opened the first laptop library in the area, meaning young people could borrow one to take home. Every Christmas, alongside Ed, Skepta, Anthony Joshua, Raheem Sterling and a host of other big names, Fekky organises a turkey drive to families in the borough. Last year they dished out 15,000 - and Fekky isn't finished there. Advertisement 'My food bank in Lewisham now gets eggs from my farm,' he explains. 'In the future, I want to turn F Manor into something far bigger and to open it up to young people to come and stay and learn about farming. 'A lot of people don't know where their food comes from and about what work goes into it. 'We'll have a pub where people can come and eat the food from the produce and a shop too. Advertisement 'I feel like people look at farming and it's old school. 'I want to open that world up and make it for everyone.' EM'S SPELL AS WHITE WITCH 11 Actress Emma Mackey has landed another top role Credit: Getty WHITE Lotus actress Emma Mackey has got herself another top role. Advertisement She will play the White Witch in Greta Gerwig's reworking of Narnia on the big screen. Emma is in good company, with Filming is due to start soon and the movie is expected to be out in November of next year. It's just one of a handful of very exciting parts on the go for Emma. I revealed this month she has joined The Beatles biopics line-up, to take on the part of George Harrison's ex-wife Pattie Boyd. Advertisement We love to see you rise and rise, Emma. CBB'S WILL HITS THE AIRWAVES 11 Will Best kicked off his first show on Hits Radio Breakfast Credit: Chris Ward He kicked off his first show on Hits Radio Breakfast today and was given a special welcome from co-hosts Advertisement Fleur headed down to Abbey Road studios in London to record a new jingle for the show, which she sang with some help from Will and James. Will said of working with Fleur and James: 'I've been wanting to join the 5am club for a while – all the influencers are doing it, aren't they. 'I think I'll cope all right with the early mornings. I'll just go to bed. 'Honestly, I'm unbelievably excited and the thought that I get to hang out with Fleur and James every day just fills my heart with joy.' Advertisement DEMI A PROPER CHARLI 11 Brat singer Charli XCX is coming into this summer with some exciting plans Credit: Splash 11 Demi Lovato looks the spitting image of Charli in these shades Credit: Instagram AFTER seeing this picture of Demi Lovato online, I had to double check it wasn't Demi shared moody selfies on her Instagram account – and she looks the spitting image of Charli in these shades. Advertisement The Brat singer, is coming into this summer with some exciting plans, including a huge performance at Glasto in June. No wonder Demi is getting in on the act and, as they say, imi-tation is the sincerest form of flattery. IF you're pals with someone called Bella, ring them up and book a date on Wednesday. Restaurant chain Bella Italia is offering a £100 voucher to anyone with that name as part of 'Bella Appreciation Day'. Advertisement Head to your local branch with ID and you'll get £100 to spend. I'll be contacting all the Bellas I know! CAUGHT LIVE THE LUMINEERS, OLYMPIC HALL, MUNICH ★★★★☆ 11 The Lumineers brought their light and breezy tunes to Munich's Olympic Hall Credit: Supplied Advertisement FESTIVAL season has started early thanks to The Lumineers. The US indie-folk group brought their light and breezy tunes to Munich's Olympic Hall, which was packed with a feelgood factor. The two-hour show was an escape from the doom and gloom of the world, with 2021 breakout track Ho Hey going down a storm, along with last year's single Ophelia. Proving you don't need cheap gimmicks and pyrotechnics to put on a show, The Lumineers brought the focus back to live music, using everything from multiple pianos to some BEZ-style tambourines during the gig. Advertisement The set list was a real celebration of their music, with tunes from the 2012 self-titled debut album to their fifth record Automatic, which came out in February. They kick off the UK leg of the tour next month, with shows including London's O2 Arena. You'd be a fool to miss them. Jack Hardwick Advertisement
The National
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
How Usher's career has risen and fallen in tune with RnB itself
Usher's latest world tour is as much a victory lap for the enduring artist as it is for a genre that has often mirrored his own fortunes. Even the tour name – The Past, Present and Future – serves as an apt summary of modern RnB's trajectory in the 30 years since his arrival. The genre has commercially peaked, plateaued and had a resurgence during this period. The latest revival is partly powered by Usher's own milestones – from his 2024 Super Bowl halftime show and continuing Las Vegas residency to the generations of artists, from The Weeknd and Sza to Chris Brown, citing him as an inspiration. His Saturday headlining set at Abu Dhabi's Club Social festival should also tell that story of a career built on evolution, reinvention and lasting impact. Resilience was forged by the uncertain reception Usher received at the start of his career. While his 1997 album My Way heralded the arrival of a new RnB star, it followed the relatively lacklustre response to his self-titled 1994 debut, released when he was only 15. Usher confirmed his prodigious talent, but its polished production felt at odds with a genre shifting away from the ultra-slick, synth-heavy sound of the late 1980s towards something more organic. The album's sultry tracks like Can U Get Wit It and Think of You felt out of place coming from an artist so young. Its New Jack Swing sound – defined by swaggering drums and glossy textures – was seen by many RnB fans as leaning more towards hip-hop, a reflection of the genre's identity crisis at the time. Hence, My Way was as much a necessary correction as it was a coronation. Executive produced by RnB titan Babyface and rising hitmaker Jermaine Dupri, the album struck a sweet spot. It balanced hip-hop swagger with the warmth and lyrical rawness that RnB fans were craving and beginning to find in a new generation of artists such as Aaliyah and Ginuwine. The career-making hit single You Make Me Wanna, featured in the album, was another example of the lyrical approach that would come to define Usher's songs. He is often the protagonist, plagued by indecision – whether it's choosing the stability of family or the flames of passion, or weighing uncomfortable honesty against convenient lies. Usher had to make a momentous choice of his own at the turn of the century. Once again, the pop music landscape was shifting. Boy bands and girl groups were slowly giving way to a more rugged, yet expertly produced, legion of hip-hop stars such as Eminem, 50 Cent and Jay-Z – all of whom helped establish the genre's commercial dominance for the next two decades. An established star thanks to the success of his 2001 album 8701, Usher – like many RnB artists at the time, including Alicia Keys – faced a decision: grit up his sound and stay in vogue with the moment, or remain loyal to what his fan base wanted, even if it meant potentially diminishing returns. Usher ultimately went one better. His 2004 opus Confessions was unabashedly a proud and modern RnB album that also pushed the genre forward. As lush as it is unflinching, Confessions plays out as a 17-track cycle of shame and regret. He sheds the carefully curated image of the carefree lover boy to reveal someone more complicated – and at times, even callous – across his most expansive arrangements to date, spanning neo-soul, slow jams, hip-hop and pop-inflected tracks. While best known for its blockbuster hit – the marauding club stomper Yeah! – it's in the quieter album tracks that Usher's artistry speaks loudest. On Throwback, he uses memory as a whip to flog himself: 'You never miss a good thing 'til it leaves you – and finally,' he sings, 'I realise that I need you'. While in Confessions Part I and Part II, he builds intensity across confessional verses, ultimately admitting to his infidelities without feigned remorse and the outcome of a life spent being 'stuck on stupid'. Confessions remains a genre classic in that Usher stayed true to RnB's roots of emotive storytelling while expanding the persona of the artist – which at the time often veered from the masculine to the timid. Usher allowed artists to be vulnerable, at fault, heroic and a failure, character traits that would go on to be explored by the likes of The Weeknd, Drake and Chris Brown. While selling more than 15 million copies and reaffirming RnB as a commercial force, the album still wasn't enough for the genre to withstand the sonic shifts brought on by the rise of electronic dance music, dance festival culture and streaming platforms. The move resulted in the fragmentation of the RnB sound, with silky vocals used for hooks for dance anthems, while older tracks by Brandy, Aaliyah and Mario were mixed in sets by DJs Calvin Harris and Kaytranda. While Usher attempted to navigate the new terrain – he scored unexpected hits with OMG, produced by in 2011, and his David Guetta collaboration Without You a year later – it proved to be a lean period, marked by forgettable albums like Looking 4 Myself and the misguided foray into hip-hop trap music with A. Some of the same forces that once pushed RnB to the commercial fringes have also fuelled its resurgence. As streaming platforms matured and expanded their catalogues, they became not just hubs for discovering new music but spaces to revisit older sounds. RnB, with its moody textures and narrative-driven lyricism, was well positioned to benefit – offering a clear throughline to artists like The Weeknd, H.E.R. and Frank Ocean. Their seasoned stage presence also helped their tours stand out in an increasingly competitive live scene. That is evidenced by the success of Usher's Las Vegas residencies from 2021 to 2023. Its cultural impact paved the way for his victorious Super Bowl halftime show. When Usher takes to the stage on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, it comes at a moment when RnB is reaching a new zenith – with Mary J. Blige and SZA embarking on large stadium and arena tours across the US and Europe, and RnB-themed festivals like Lovers & Friends in Las Vegas becoming must-attend destinations. RnB's future was once a point of concern, but it is now one to look forward to with relish. Usher performs at Club Social on Saturday; Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi; doors open 7.30pm and tickets start at Dh295
