<b>Ajai Shukla:</b> Half-term report card on defence

The military has started 2017 with a fresh slate on several fronts. The army and the air force both have new chiefs, an opportunity for fresh ideas and approaches. There is hope that the military could soon get its first tri-service commander, creating badly needed synergy between the army, navy and air force. Across the border, Pakistan, too, has a new army chief who seems less inclined to grandstand, and appears to understand that tensions with India distract his military from more urgent priorities. Looking further out, as a new US President, Donald Trump, outlines his policies towards Russia and