“Grand Delusion” by Steven Simon provides a timely analysis of the dynamics that shaped American foreign policy in the post-Cold War era in the Middle East. The major theme of “Grand Delusion” revolves around the notion that American policymakers suffered from a persistent delusion that military force alone can bring about sustainable change and security…
“Four Battlegrounds” by Paul Scharre is a fascinating account of emerging technologies especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) in military affairs and modern warfare. New technologies from the invention of gun powder, artillery, automobile, airplane, tank, and submarine have propelled revolution in military affairs throughout human history. The first computer-based model was used by the Russian military…
“If any individual who objects to government policy can take it in his own hands to publicly disclose classified information, then we will never be able to keep our people safe or conduct foreign policy”. President Barack Obama In April 2023, the Pentagon became aware of the leak of classified documents when a twenty-one-year-old low…
It was in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), predecessor of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was born. Over the next few decades, several intelligence agencies were tasked with handling different shades of intelligence. The National Security Act of 1947 established CIA that remains the…
The Prophet’s Heir is the biography of an exalted companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his cousin, friend, confidant and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib. Hassan Abbas has written an excellent biography of Ali in the English language that covers all aspects of Ali’s life; this was published by Yale University Press. This work brings to…
Ghazali known in the west as Algazele tried to reconcile revelation, reason, and spirituality. He incorporated existing beliefs and categorizations with innovative ideas; it is no surprise that he was criticized by all sides. Rationalists criticized him for his orthodox theological beliefs, theologians criticized him for his rational and spiritual ideas and Sufis criticized him…
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction”. E. F. Schumacher In recent months, there have been increased incidences of terrorism mainly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has taken responsibility of…
In the summer of 2006, a group of British citizens of Pakistani descent were arrested for planning to use liquid bombs on multiple trans-Atlantic passenger flights. After long trials, many were convicted and sentenced to long prison terms. It was one of the largest counter-terrorism investigation in United Kingdom (UK) utilizing all law enforcement resources….
“Let China sleep; when she wakes, she will shake the world”. Napoleon 1817 In the last two decades, United States and China have emerged as competitors for political and economic influence especially in the Indo-Pacific region. This has invariably influenced the military posture of both countries to secure economic gains. Most strategists are of the…
The Pakistan army is the dominant institution of the country. In the last few years, it has come under unprecedented criticism from different segments of the society. Major political parties accused it of orchestrating the installation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government under Imran Khan. It was then accused of doing the political work of the government…
