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The article examines the impact of Western popular music on Indian modernity, tracing its influence from the colonial period to contemporary times. It discusses the evolution of Indian music in response to Western influences, highlighting the role of different genres in shaping the country's cultural landscape. The text also explores the intersection of Western and Indian music through case studies and emphasizes the need for further research to understand this complex relationship. The comprehensive bibliography provided offers valuable insights into the diverse musical traditions and cultural exchanges in South Asia. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the book "Talking Back to the West: How Turkey Uses Counter-Hegemony to Reshape the Global Communication Order" by Bilge Yesil. The book examines how Turkey has changed its communication strategy with the West in response to Western hegemony, identity politics, ideological impositions, and security threats. It analyzes the English-language communication efforts of state-run organizations, media actors, and civil society aligned with President Erdogan's government. The book provides evidence of Erdogan's autocratic structure and communication strategy, although it is considered theoretically weak. The author also discusses the book's limitations, including its oversimplification of complex issues and its failure to provide context for comparisons with other countries. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a debilitating multisymptom condition that affects nearly a third of 1990–91 Gulf War (GW) veterans. Symptoms include pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and cognitive decrements. Our work has shown that GWI rates and potential causes for symptoms vary between men and women veterans. Studies have documented neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings mostly in men or combined sex datasets. Data are lacking for women veterans due to lack of power and repositories of women veteran samples. Methods: We characterized GW women veterans in terms of demographics, exposures, neuropsychological and neuroimaging outcomes from the newly collated Boston, Biorepository and Integrative Network (BBRAIN) for GWI. Results: BBRAIN women veterans are highly educated with an average age of 54 years. 81% met GWI criteria, 25% met criteria for current PTSD, 78% were white, and 81% served in the Army. Exposure to combined acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEi) including skin pesticides, fogs/sprays and/or pyridostigmine bromide (PB) anti-nerve gas pill exposure resulted in slower processing speed on attentional tasks and a trend for executive impairment compared with non-exposed women. Brain imaging outcomes showed lower gray matter volumes and smaller caudate in exposed women. Conclusions: Although subtle and limited findings were present in this group of women veterans, it suggests that continued follow-up of GW women veterans is warranted. Future research should continue to evaluate differences between men and women in GW veteran samples. The BBRAIN women sub-repository is recruiting and these data are available to the research community for studies of women veterans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article employs conceptual tools from the philosophy of science to shed new light on prolonged Iran-US hostility. Iranian and American elites evidently have negative attitudes towards the other nation, but these attitudes lack systematic and theoretical analysis. We apply the post-positivist concepts of theory-laden perception and judgement to anticipate the impact of established attitudes on foreign policy experts. After considering the cognitive training of each foreign policy community in the 1980s, the article hypothesises each group's perceptions of and judgements about the other's behaviour during Operation Desert Storm (1991), Operation Enduring Freedom (2001), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003). The concurrence of theory-laden judgements with each nation's actual decisions indicates the likely contributions of American and Iranian foreign policy experts to the lack of substantial long-term bilateral cooperation, while the instance of a lack of concurrence indicates the possibility of future change. Our cross-disciplinary methodology demonstrates the utility of venturing outside the traditional boundaries of international relations scholarship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iran has carried out airstrikes on Israel in retaliation for an attack on its consulate in Damascus. The operation involved ballistic missiles and drones, targeting vital locations in occupied Palestine. Iran's adversaries have split into two camps, with some accusing Iran of coordinating the strike with Israel and the US, while others downplay its significance. The Israeli government claims that the attack was ineffective, but evidence suggests otherwise. The situation remains tense, with the possibility of further escalation. [Extracted from the article]

This document is an introductory editorial from the Clinical Neuropsychologist journal, discussing the underrepresentation of women as participants in medical research, specifically in the field of neuropsychology. The lack of female participants has resulted in gaps in understanding how certain conditions may present differently in women. Recent initiatives, such as the White House Initiative of Women's Health Research and the National Institutes of Health's Notice of Special Interest for Women's Health Research, aim to reduce these research gaps. The special issue of the journal focuses on women as participants in neuropsychology research, covering a range of topics relevant to the field. The authors acknowledge the limitations of using "sex" and "gender" interchangeably and emphasize the need for a larger strategy of gender inclusion in neuropsychology. [Extracted from the article]

The article examines the use of targeted killings in warfare, focusing on the United States' increasing reliance on this tactic to combat terrorism. It acknowledges that other countries, such as Israel and Russia, have also employed targeted killings. However, the article raises concerns about the potential risks and consequences of this approach, including the possibility of retaliation and escalation. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of careful consideration and caution when utilizing targeted killings as a tool of statecraft or warfare. Additionally, the article explores the implications of the growing use of assassination as a tactic, including its impact on deterrence, military operations, negotiations, and the distinction between civilian and military targets. It highlights the need for democratic nations, particularly the United States, to consider the precedents set by drone attacks and to carefully consider the dynamics of war by assassination in order to minimize its negative effects. [Extracted from the article]

"Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology" by Chris Miller explores the profound impact of microchips on human civilization and the international system. The book traces the development of chips from their invention to their role in shaping the outcome of the Cold War. It also discusses the offshoring of chip supply chains to East Asia and the competition between the US and China for control over the future of computing. Miller's study fills a research gap by examining the connection between chips and power dynamics in the international system. The book is based on primary data, including interviews with experts, and provides rich insights into the semiconductor industry. It is recommended for policymakers, businessmen, and scholars of International Relations. [Extracted from the article]

From a historical perspective, presidents have frequently directed the use of military force without explicit permission from Congress. Yet, presidents still court legislative approval on select occasions. Why do presidents sometimes seek congressional authorization and other times do not? I explain authorization‐seeking behavior according to variations in presidential bargaining strength. I argue that both weak and strong presidents prefer authorization‐seeking; by obtaining congressional backing, weak presidents conceal a lack of national resolve from international audiences, while strong ones use approval to enhance their coercive authority. Presidents with mid‐level bargaining strength, however, prefer unilateral action; on the one hand, unilateral action may demonstrate resolve in the face of potential legislative resistance, while on the other, it avoids contentious debate that risks "muddying" the diplomatic waters. I illustrate these arguments by revisiting four prominent historical cases: the Korean War, the Gulf of Tonkin crisis, the invasion of Cambodia, and the Persian Gulf War. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the United States' foreign policy failures, particularly in relation to dictatorships and the promotion of liberal democracy. It discusses the lack of success in bringing stability and democracy to the Middle East and containing post-Soviet Russia. The article argues that the architects of this unsuccessful foreign policy have been predominantly liberals, and suggests the need for a serious alternative. It also explores a book by Jacob Heilbrunn that explores the American right's historical admiration for authoritarian leaders abroad, but questions the significance of this distinction and emphasizes the importance of maintaining order and institutions. [Extracted from the article]

In 2020, the Azerbaijani army launched a massive attack on Armenian positions in Nagorno-Karabakh. After 44 days of fighting, Azerbaijan scored a major victory, forcing Armenian forces to retreat from the territories around Karabakh, followed by the deployment of Russian peacekeeping troops. While many analysts have focused on advanced technology to explain Azerbaijan's victory, this article argues that a comparative study of the First Karabakh War (1991–1994) and the Second Karabakh War (2020) points to differences at the strategic level, including political transitions, diplomatic policies, and military forecasts, to propose a comprehensive and strategic discussion of the two wars, away from technological determinism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the emergence of Post Nature methodologies in ecocriticism and environmental humanities, which focus on representing environmental concerns through cataclysmic landscapes and recognizing the internal nature of environmental crises. It discusses the presence of Post Nature perspectives in Native American literature, particularly in novels that address the ecological devastation caused by uranium mining and nuclear weaponry. The article also suggests that the Anthropocene should be dated to 1610, coinciding with European colonization of the Americas, and discusses the novel "Hiroshima Bugi: Atomu 57," which explores the long-term impacts of nuclear detonations and challenges the official memorialization of atomic disasters. The text further examines the themes of environmental destruction, colonialism, and the nuclear age in Native American literature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecological violence and racial violence and the need to decolonize our understanding of the Anthropocene. [Extracted from the article]

"Precision: A History of American Warfare" by James Patton Rogers is a book that explores the history of precision strike and its connection to American airpower theory. The author argues that precision-based strategies have been a central aspect of American warfare since the early days of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The book examines the development of precision strike from World War I to the present day, highlighting its appeal in terms of efficiency, adherence to International Humanitarian Law, and the preservation of American lives. However, the book has limitations as a comprehensive history of American warfare and presents a somewhat one-sided account of the merits of precision theory. [Extracted from the article]

"Cold Rivals: The New Era of US-China Strategic Competition" is a book edited by Evan S. Medeiros that explores the future of US-China competition. The book is divided into five sections, covering historical perspective, diplomatic challenges, military growth, technological change, and future scenarios. The authors argue that China poses an economic challenge to the United States and highlight potential areas of conflict, such as Taiwan, maritime navigational freedom, and intellectual property. The book also discusses China's military and technological advancements, as well as its use of state security to gather intelligence from foreign companies. However, the book's perspective is slanted and assumes China should be a strategic competitor to the US. It is recommended as a reference for junior analysts seeking background information on US-China relations. [Extracted from the article]

The Persian Gulf-Black Sea International Transport and Transit Corridor is a multimodal and combined network of ships, rails, and road freight routes connecting Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Bulgaria, and Greece. Iran is the trustee of the agreement and has played the central role in establishing a transit route to the Black Sea region as 'Tehran's forgotten bridge to Europe' since its inception in 2016. Nonetheless, the Persian Gulf-Black Sea Corridor faces significant obstacles and challenges: resolving Iran's nuclear issues, resolving disputes between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and stabilizing the security situation in the Black Sea following the Ukraine war, all of which reduce its efficiency and quality. In these circumstances, connecting the Iranian railway to the Caucasus and Armenia and building Armenia's North-South highway and the deep port of Anaklia on Georgia's Black Sea coast can stretch the capacities of the Persian Gulf-Black Sea Corridor. It can also strengthen the Wider Black Sea Region and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores Israel's policy of containment in its national security behavior. It discusses the reasons behind this approach, including foreign policy considerations, reluctance to rule over hostile populations, casualty aversion, and changes within the military. The article provides examples of Israel's containment policy in response to attacks from Iraq, Hezbollah, and Hamas. It concludes that while containment may have its advantages, it also erodes deterrence and allows for incremental increases in violence against Israel. The authors suggest that a better balance between containment and the use of force is needed. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Gulf War illness (GWI)/Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI) is a disorder related to military service in the 1991 Gulf War (GW). Prominent symptoms of GWI/CMI include fatigue, pain, and cognitive dysfunction. Although anosmia is not a typical GWI/CMI symptom, anecdotally some GW veterans have reported losing their sense smell shortly after the war. Because olfactory deficit is a prodromal symptom of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, and because we previously reported suggestive evidence that deployed GW veterans may be at increased risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia, the current study examined the relationship between olfactory and cognitive function in deployed GW veterans. Methods: Eighty deployed GW veterans (mean age: 59.9 ±7.0; 4 female) were tested remotely with the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Veterans also completed self-report questionnaires about their health and deployment-related exposures and experiences. UPSIT and MoCA data from healthy control (HC) participants from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) study were downloaded for comparison. Results: GW veterans had a mean UPSIT score of 27.8 ± 6.3 (range 9–37) and a mean MoCA score of 25.3 ± 2.8 (range 19–30). According to age- and sex-specific normative data, 31% of GW veterans (vs. 8% PPMI HCs) had UPSIT scores below the 10th percentile. Nearly half (45%) of GW veterans (vs. 8% PPMI HCs) had MoCA scores below the cut-off for identifying MCI. Among GW veterans, but not PPMI HCs, there was a positive correlation between UPSIT and MoCA scores (Spearman's ρ = 0.39, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in UPSIT or MoCA scores between GW veterans with and without history of COVID or between those with and without Kansas GWI exclusionary conditions. Conclusions: We found evidence of olfactory and cognitive deficits and a significant correlation between UPSIT and MoCA scores in a cohort of 80 deployed GW veterans, 99% of whom had CMI. Because impaired olfactory function has been associated with increased risk for MCI and dementia, it may be prudent to screen aging, deployed GW veterans with smell identification tests so that hypo- and anosmic veterans can be followed longitudinally and offered targeted neuroprotective therapies as they become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the Thailand-Japan relationship, with a focus on its economic aspects. It highlights the historical development of their ties and the challenges they face, such as demographic and technological changes. While China's influence in Thailand has increased, Japan remains the most trusted international partner. The text also discusses economic cooperation, development aid, security cooperation, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. It acknowledges that Japan's influence in Thailand has declined relative to China in recent years, but efforts are being made to strengthen the economic relationship and address social inequality. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the concept of friction in warfare as described by Carl von Clausewitz in his book "On War." It discusses how friction has persisted in conflicts throughout history and examines the impact of new technologies on the incidence of friction in twenty-first-century warfare. While technology has the potential to reduce friction caused by human limitations and uncertainty, it can also introduce new sources of uncertainty and unpredictability. The article emphasizes that friction will continue to be a part of warfare as long as humans are involved. The accompanying document is a list of references and citations related to Clausewitzian Friction and its relevance to modern warfare, including discussions on information technology, artificial intelligence, and autonomous weapon systems. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the recent Hamas-Israel conflict and its implications for Iran's "Resistance Geopolitics." The article highlights Iran's role in the conflict, including its support for Hamas and other regional allies. It explains that Iran's strategic and ideological interests are driving its involvement in the conflict, as it seeks to counter Israel's encirclement of Iran and maintain its revolutionary credentials. The article also discusses Iran's military doctrines, including its defensive strategy based on deterrence and its use of proxies to extend its deterrence capabilities. It concludes by emphasizing the interconnected nature of security in the region and the potential for the conflict to escalate into a wider regional war. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the impact of West Asian conflicts on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), highlighting concerns over maritime security and strategic shifts in alliances. It discusses India's emerging role as a key player in providing security and stability in the IOR, amid debates on regional partnerships and its strategic engagement with countries in the Indo-Pacific and North Indian Ocean.

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) from its establishment in 1924 to its involvement in World War II. It discusses the initial lack of understanding of the purpose of an air force and the RCAF's focus on civilian tasks. The article highlights the significance of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) in gaining recognition for the RCAF. It also explores the challenges faced by the RCAF, including limited resources and the integration of Canadian graduates into RAF squadrons. The article concludes by discussing the RCAF's role in various conflicts throughout history, including World War II and the Cold War. It mentions the limitations in the number of RCAF squadrons formed and the challenges of integrating women into the force. Despite these challenges, the RCAF's mission continues into the future. [Extracted from the article]

This document provides an overview of world events and advancements in clinical medicine during the first quarter of the American Clinical & Climatological Association's second century. It covers significant events such as the end of the Cold War, the reunification of Germany, and major terrorist attacks. In terms of clinical medicine, advancements like the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the use of stents in angioplasty, and the derivation of human embryonic stem cells are highlighted. The implementation of telesurgery and the development of preventive medicine, including the use of statins and the introduction of new vaccines, are also discussed. Challenges during this period included drug-resistant tuberculosis, mad cow disease, and outbreaks of SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. [Extracted from the article]

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