Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, simply speaking, is a maritime forum set up for the express purpose of enhancing collaboration in terms of collective security between states whose shores, inclusive of permanently held territories, are washed by the Indian Ocean as well as those which have a visible stake in its future. I wouldn’t be at…
IntroductionIn 1945, the US State Department observed: “the resources of the Middle East are a stupendous source of strategic power and one of the greatest material prizes in the world history.” Presumably, effective control over the topsy-turvy Middle Eastern affairs — both economic and security — can help a hegemonic power to exercise increasing clout…
Thing are back in full circle for Afghanistan, it is heading for a third resource surge. True to tradition of typical military leadership, the Pentagon has been able to rope in President Donald Trump over the idea that victory is just a few thousand troops, a few war machines and couple of more powerful munitions…
Regional politics of the nuclearized subcontinent in the presence of protracted India–Pakistan rivalry has become a topic of immense importance and lacks a balanced approach internationally. The leading strategic circles of intellectual community always try to avail opportunities for discussing the South Asian nuclear race in a different perspective. No doubt, the environment caused by…
ContextFor all intents and purposes US is entering the third stage of its military engagement in Afghanistan. The first one was right after 9/11 when President Bush launched an attack against the perpetrators and their supporters, Al Qaeda and Afghan Taliban respectively. The second phase was represented by the tenure of Barrack Obama, while the…
The state of Israel located in Middle East owns one of the fastest growing Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) in the world. Geographically a small state, Israel that claims to be an official homeland for Jews on occupied territories of Palestine is highly ambitious to maintain militarily a mighty status in the Arab world. In order to…
‘In a western democracy, you lose touch with your people, you lose elections; in a monarchy, you lose your head’. Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, Former Saudi Ambassador to Washington. On In the last two years Saudi Arabia has gone through many changes. Absolute monarchies are not easy to decipher. There are many opacities and it is…
Historical Overview Pakistan’s strategic location, its predominant religious affinity, critical geographical proximity as well as continuous efforts by Pakistani expatriate population to develop infrastructure and other institutions have made it a natural ally of the neighboring Gulf States. There are socio-political factors that make Pakistan the obvious choice for the Gulf rulers to safeguard security…
Military Operation Khyber IV has been started to dismantle “safe heavens” of terrorists, it is continuation of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Raddul Fasaad. A large part of Khyber Valley has already been cleared and more than 20 terrorists have been killed so far. Even as fierce battle is going on in different parts of Khyber Valley,…
Balochistan is widely projected to become the regional trade hub on account of the CPEC projects. If this grand connectivity corridor materialises by the stipulated time period, this will undoubtedly make Pakistan a major economic and naval power in South Asia, as well as making Balochistan a developed and prosperous province. However, the growing presence…
