‘REFLECTIONS’ replaces Area Briefs issued by the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI) that in their existing format seemed to have outlived their utility. A summary of events which had already been reported and discussed in detail by Pakistan’s burgeoning print and electronic media simply did not attract much attention.
The research team at the Institute of Strategic Studies publishes its considered analysis and commentary in a quarterly journal and separate monographs. The pace of events unfolding all around us, however, warrants that the views of its members are known and debated continuously even if the initial analysis has the hallmark of journalistic engagement. By discussing their tentative insights amongst themselves and by benefiting from the comments received from sources outside the Institute our researchers will be able to improve the quality of the papers they write for the Journal and other publications. We will devote greater attention to the website and the short articles carried by this new publication as preparatory to other periodic publications.
‘REFLECTIONS’ is an attempt to flow with the tide. It is totally unpretentious and experimental in outlook. The contributors remain open to correction and would, indeed, be grateful for criticism as some of the articles initially published in it undergo mature consideration. ISSI will make a special effort to send copies to media people who grapple with events in real time and earnestly looks forward to feed-back from them.
Monitoring events is a basic exercise that continues unabated. ‘REFELECTIONS’ will select some of them for a quick comment with the authors retaining the right to return to the subject after greater research and deliberation.
Dr. Tanvir Ahmad Khan Director General Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad
