IN THIS VOLUME: From the editor : • Is the World Coming Apart at the Seams? – Lt Gen JS Bajwa - Editor Indian Defence Review • Militarisation of Space: Imperatives for India – Air Marshal Anil Chopra • Terrestrial Electronic Warfare: The IAF’S Unexplored Option? – Sqn Ldr Vijainder K Thakur • The Rafale is finally on IAF inventory – Air Marshal Dhiraj Kukreja • Advances in Military Helicopters – Gp Capt AK Sachdev • Trends in Aerial Weapons: Smart and Lethal – Gp Capt Joseph Noronha • AMCA and LCA MK II: Challenges and Options – Air Marshal Anil Chopra • INDIA’S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY: Structure, Strategies, Policies and the Road Ahead – Prof (Dr) SN Misra • 70 Years of China’s Independence: Its Message to the World – Danvir Singh • Orientations of National Defence–II – Lt Gen Gautam Banerjee • Relevance of Arthashastra in the 21st Century – Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan • Time for a Final Payback! – Sudip Talukdar • Is Pakistan Mainstreaming Lashkar-e-Toiba Again? – Dr V Balasubramaniyan & Dr SV Raghavan • North East Peace Accords – Lt Gen Prakash Katoch • Aerospace and Defence News – Priya Tyagi • Thales: A Proud Partner of the Indian Air Force – Mr Emmanuel de Roquefeuil • Attack on Saudi Oil Facilities: An Assessment – Air Marshal Dhiraj Kukreja • India must support Iran not clerics regime – RSN Singh • Book Reviews

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

Volume 8 of the Army University Large Scale Combat Operations series. The Competitive Advantage: Special Operations Forces in Large Scale Combat Operations presents twelve historical case studies of special operations forces from World War I through Operation Iraqi Freedom. This volume sheds light upon the emerging roles, missions, and unique capabilities that have forged a path for Army Special Operations Forces today. These case studies set Large Scale Combat Operations in the center and place ARSOF's role in the forefront. If a reader were to take one piece from this volume, it would be the clear understanding of the close synergy that occurs between the Conventional Force and SOF in Large Scale Combat Operations for major wars in the 20th and early 21st century. That synergy should provide a broad azimuth for military planners and practitioners to follow as the Army, SOF, and the Joint Force combine to preserve the peace, defend the Nation, and defeat any adversary.

Comparing military pay with civilian pay, the authors find that military pay in 2017 was above the 70th percentile of civilian pay. It was at the 85th percentile for enlisted personnel and the 77th percentile for officers.