Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd)

Stories by Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd)

There Is More To India Than Delhi Or Gujarat!

There Is More To India Than Delhi Or Gujarat!

Rediff.com   2 Jun 2022

The Modi government has to embrace the history of Tamil conquests in South East Asia and stop obsessing about Babar/Humayun, argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

A History Lesson For Modiji

A History Lesson For Modiji

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2022

The concept of 'fairness by rulers' is deeply ingrained in Indians and any weakening of this dents the legitimacy of the ruler, warns military historian Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

View: Understanding The Kashmir Files Phenomena

View: Understanding The Kashmir Files Phenomena

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2022

The Kashmir Files has done a commendable job in highlighting the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, but has dealt only with the local factors. The cover-up has multiple reasons and it is time that a debate is begun to unmask the culprits who hid the truth, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

If Putin is wise...

If Putin is wise...

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2022

'He will consolidate the Russian hold over the Eastern Russian majority provinces in Ukraine and quickly withdraw from the rest of Ukraine.' 'At all costs, the Russians should avoid attacking and capturing urban areas, else they risk getting into a quagmire,' cautions Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

How Shivaji Taught Aurangzeb Tolerance

How Shivaji Taught Aurangzeb Tolerance

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2022

'Aurangzeb, who had destroyed the Hindu temples of Mathura and Kashi and many others in the north, was a very different ruler when he came to Maharashtra.' 'He did not touch a single temple in Maharashtra.' 'It was possibly the greatest triumph of Shivaji's statesmanship,' notes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd), the well known military historian.

Ukraine Crisis: US Playing A 'Game Of Chicken' With Russia

Ukraine Crisis: US Playing A 'Game Of Chicken' With Russia

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2022

If a workable compromise is found and Russia'S Western borders are left undisturbed with a suitable buffer, it will indicate that the US is indeed serious about its focus on China, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Time for India to EMBRACE Russia

Time for India to EMBRACE Russia

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2021

We can make a beginning by openly acknowledging the Russian help in 1971 victory when President Putin visits India on 6 December 2021. Showing gratitude to a friend is part of our DNA, notes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

How India Won The 1971 War

How India Won The 1971 War

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2021

December 3, 2021 marks 50 years since the beginning of the 1971 War which ended in a decisive military victory for India and the liberation of Bangladesh. Most analysts of the 1971 War agree that the IV Corps dash across the mighty Meghna river led by the brilliant General Sagat Singh was the turning point in the war, recalls military historian Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Should Women Fight Wars?

Should Women Fight Wars?

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2021

Should we be exposing our women volunteers to the barbarity of actual combat?

Be Prepared for Taliban Terror

Be Prepared for Taliban Terror

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2021

Pakistan would want to take full advantage of the situation to direct Taliban trained terrorists into the Kashmir Valley, alert Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd) and Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

US could have defeated the Taliban...

US could have defeated the Taliban...

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2021

The US military efforts in Afghanistan were akin to filling a bucket that had gaping holes, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

How the Soviet Union Helped India Win the 1971 War

How the Soviet Union Helped India Win the 1971 War

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2021

It is a timely reminder that when faced with twin threats, India has succeeded by wisely choosing allies, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

The Roots of the Taliban

The Roots of the Taliban

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2021

Internal strife and tribalism is endemic to Afghanistan, notes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Why Delhi is concerned about the Taliban

Why Delhi is concerned about the Taliban

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2021

India is apprehensive about the Taliban's return as it would mean loss of access to Baluch rebels and help to the restive tribals of Waziristan. This would be a setback to the Indian strategy of returning the compliments of death by a thousand cuts to Pakistan, notes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Is Xi likely to be overthrown?

Is Xi likely to be overthrown?

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2021

China's presence in the international dog house is just the kind of opportunity that his opponents must be waiting for, predicts Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

China's 'Sputnik Moment'

China's 'Sputnik Moment'

Rediff.com   22 May 2021

'Seen in the context of world turmoil in face of the pandemic and the Chinese 'miracle' of being the only country in the world to control it, this is not merely a 'Sputnik' moment, but a 'Sputnik Plus' moment,' argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Why Xi's China resembles Nazi Germany

Why Xi's China resembles Nazi Germany

Rediff.com   17 May 2021

Chinese hubris and the slippery slope it finds itself on have important lessons for authoritarian leaders elsewhere, including in India, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Modi govt forced Pakistan to talk peace

Modi govt forced Pakistan to talk peace

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2021

'Under National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval and now Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, India began to actively work on Pakistani internal faultlines with a possibility of the break-up of Pakistan as the only solution,' observes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Enlist the army to fight the Naxalites!

Enlist the army to fight the Naxalites!

Rediff.com   9 Apr 2021

'It is time to use the Indian military's decades-long expertise in fighting insurgency successfully,' advocates Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Is Pakistani leopard changing its spots?

Is Pakistani leopard changing its spots?

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2021

All Pakistani moves towards peace will be seen as tactical compromises, to be abandoned when the situation changes, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).