Though not unexpected, the sheer scale of Democrats’ win in the US mid-term polls has surprised even the party and has added a layer of uncertainty about the various wars that the US has been waging around the world. There is speculation that the Democrat’s sweep of the US Parliament would have a moderating impact on President Trump’s policies towards the wars against Iran and Russia (via Ukraine). This speculation ignores the fact that both US expansionism and its blanket cover to Israel is bipartisan. Both the Democrats and the Republicans are united in their Russophobia, and their love for Zionism. So best to keep the hopes tethered to reality.

While the US mid-term polls may have been the biggest news of the last few weeks, the previous month has been very eventful in India. The director general of Indo Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), Shatrujeet Kapur dropped an unexpected mini bombshell during the force’s investiture ceremony in the run-up to its raising day. Making the case for raising additional units of ITBP’s Shaurya commandos, he drew attention to their recent performance against the PLA border guards in a face-off in Arunachal Pradesh. Then perhaps, in the flow of his speech he also mentioned that in several places Chinese troops had encroached six to seven kilometres inside Indian territory.

By many accounts, including those of politicians and activists from Arunachal Pradesh, Kapur’s claim was an understatement, and that the Chinese are occupying much more of the Indian territory. But coming from a serving officer, even this is a big deal. Particularly when it followed China’s claim on the whole of Ladakh in early October. Clearly, the relations with China have become even more precarious. And the government continues to hope that closeness with the US will mitigate this situation.

Meanwhile, away from the borderland, the youth of the country supported by like-minded political parties, including the Congress party, resumed their protest against the chief election commissioner on the streets of Delhi. The police were once again found wanting in managing large, aggressive, fearless, but unarmed crowds. Scores of videos flooded the social media showing police and students grappling with one another. Some videos showed police personnel rounding up protestors and beating them. People in plain clothes were also spotted assaulting the protestors while the police were looking on. This once again drew attention to the training and professionalism of the police—the first responders to any internal security situation. Worse, surveillance technologies, like face recognition, were employed to victimize and vilify peaceful protestors.

Both these issues—the looming threat from China and police’s inadequacies—are the focus of the November issue. In addition to that are the FORCE regulars like recent books, news from the defence industry and the services. Happy festive season.