The Summer 2025 issue of Strategic Perspectives presents timely and thought-provoking analyses on strategic and security issues, with a continued emphasis on South Asia. This edition explores five key themes: military modernization, hybrid warfare, arms control, populism in the digital age, and regional diplomacy under shifting geopolitical alignments.

The first article, “India’s Military Modernization andIits Implications for Regional Security,” examines India’s ambitious military upgrades and their impact on the regional balance of power. Under the BJP-led government, India has prioritized modernization across all service branches, investing in both conventional and emerging technologies, including space and disruptive systems. Using the framework of Offensive Realism, the paper analyzes how India’s strategic trajectory, driven by a desire for regional dominance, affects Pakistan’s defense posture and contributes to a widening asymmetry in conventional forces. The study also assesses how Pakistan, through its Full Spectrum Deterrence strategy, attempts to preserve stability in the face of India’s evolving doctrines.

The second article, “New Media as a Tool of Hybrid Warfare: Analyzing Pakistan’s Case,” investigates how social and digital media platforms are being employed in hybrid warfare strategies. With widespread access to mobile technology and the internet, Pakistan faces growing vulnerabilities to information manipulation, disinformation campaigns, and narrative warfare. The paper offers examples of how New Media has been used against Pakistan to influence public perception and destabilize internal cohesion. It argues for a national strategy to enhance resilience and develop capabilities to counter emerging digital threats.

In the third article, “Arms Control Beyond New START: Challenges and Prospects in a Multipolar World,” the author explores the uncertain future of arms control following the scheduled expiration of the New START Treaty in 2026. As the last remaining major arms control framework between the U.S. and Russia, its expiry signals a potential collapse of the post-Cold War arms control architecture. The study reviews past bilateral agreements and highlights the growing need for multilateral cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world where major powers pursue qualitative and quantitative improvements in their arsenals. It emphasizes the importance of rebuilding trust and diplomatic engagement to prevent strategic instability.

The fourth article, “Rise of Populism in the Post-Truth Era: Case Study of the Modi Regime,” offers a critical reflection on the transformation of Indian politics under Prime Minister Modi. The author examines the rise of populist rhetoric and the strategic use of New Media to mobilize support, suppress dissent, and advance the BJP-RSS narrative. The paper connects these developments to growing societal polarization and the spread of anti-minority and anti-Pakistan narratives, situating them within broader global trends of post-truth politics.

The final article, “Forging New Frontiers: India-GCC Engagement under Act West Policy and Implications for Pakistan,” analyzes India’s expanding engagement with Gulf countries. Driven by economic interests and strategic calculations, India’s growing footprint in the Gulf challenges Pakistan’s traditional ties in the region. The paper assesses how these developments affect Pakistan’s diplomatic leverage, particularly regarding the Kashmir issue, and calls for a recalibrated foreign policy to adapt to evolving regional dynamics.

This issue offers valuable insights into the shifting contours of regional and global security, equipping scholars and policymakers with tools to navigate complex strategic realities.

The Winter Edition 2024 of Strategic Perspectives examines pressing strategic issues, focusing on South Asian security concerns and broader global challenges. This issue includes five key papers: one on the growing militarization of Indian space capabilities, another one on the India’s Nuclear Security Architecture, a third on addressing non-traditional security concerns with a focus on Africa’s demographic challenges, a fourth on the India’s development of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs), and a final paper on the abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A in Jammu and Kashmir.
The first paper, “India’s Evolving Space Militarization, and Security Implications for Pakistan,” investigates India’s advancements in space militarization, including the development of anti-satellite capabilities. This shift in military strategy poses significant security challenges for Pakistan, influencing the need for a comprehensive defense strategy to counter potential threats emanating from space-based military technologies. The second paper, “Assessment of Indian Nuclear Security Architecture,” critically examines India’s nuclear security framework amidst growing concerns over recent security breaches. The paper scrutinizes India’s nuclear infrastructure and management systems, identifying key vulnerabilities. It also offers recommendations to strengthen nuclear security to mitigate risks for both India and the broader region, which is home to two nuclear-armed neighbors. The third paper features on broader global security concerns with “Africa’s Demographic Timebomb: Implications for National Security in the Twenty-first Century.” This paper highlights the challenges posed by Africa’s rapidly growing youth population, which threatens to outpace the continent’s economic development. The study calls for urgent policy interventions focusing on empowerment, employment, and education to avert the demographic crisis that could destabilize the region. The fourth paper, “Role of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) in Shaping the Future of Warfare in South Asia” explores the strategic significance of DEWs in the South Asian security environment. As force multipliers, these weapons are set to transform modern warfare, with India’s development of DEWs likely compelling Pakistan to pursue similar capabilities. The paper discusses the implications for regional security and strategic stability, highlighting how these technologies will affect the military balance in South Asia. The fifth paper, “Abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A: Policy Options for Pakistan,” examines the profound consequences of India’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. This move has destabilized the region and escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. The paper outlines potential policy responses for Pakistan, focusing on diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict and restoring stability.
This issue provides crucial insights into South Asian strategic dynamics and global security trends, offering valuable perspectives for scholars, policymakers, and analysts alike.

The Summer 2024 edition of the Strategic Perspectives Journal explores a wide range of topics within the realm of strategic studies and international security. This issue offers critical insights into contemporary strategic dynamics, highlighting both regional and global challenges. The first paper assesses India’s strategic posture with a focus on its continuous at-sea nuclear deterrence capabilities. The study provides a detailed analysis of India’s nuclear submarine fleet, the implications for regional stability, and the broader impact on South Asian security dynamics. It evaluates how India’s maritime nuclear capabilities shape its strategic posture and influence deterrence stability in the region. The second paper explores the increasing militarization and securitization of outer space. This paper examines the geopolitical ramifications of space-based military capabilities and their effects on international peace and space governance. It discusses the emerging space race, the challenges of space debris management, and the need for updated regulatory frameworks to ensure the peaceful use of outer space. The third paper investigates the role of Strategic Non-Nuclear Weapons in the deterrence calculus between Pakistan and India. The study explores how these advanced conventional weapons influence the strategic balance and stability between the two countries. It provides an in-depth analysis of the implications of SNNWs for future conflict scenarios and regional security. The fourth paper addresses the significant gender disparity within Pakistan’s IT sector and its broader implications for national security. This paper examines how the underrepresentation of women in technology impacts Pakistan’s cybersecurity capabilities, economic development, and overall national security. It calls for policy interventions to bridge the gender gap and enhance the nation’s technological resilience. The fifth paper focuses on strategic chokepoints in the Middle East and their significance within the context of the US-China geopolitical rivalry. The paper analyzes the strategic importance of key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, and how the US-China competition influences the security and control of these critical passages.
This edition provides a comprehensive examination of strategic issues affecting regional and global security landscapes, offering valuable perspectives for policymakers, scholars, and analysts alike.

The Winter 2023 edition of the Strategic Perspectives Journal explores a wide range of topics related to strategic studies and women peace and security. The first paper explores the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, highlighting the increased risks following India’s surgical strikes. It focuses on the vulnerabilities of nuclear and conventional assets and the necessity of enhancing command, control, communication, and intelligence capabilities. The study emphasizes the possibility of non-nuclear attacks leading to a catastrophic conventional or nuclear war, increasing the likelihood of inadvertent conflict in South Asia. The second paper examines the shift in India’s military strategy from a defensive to an offensive posture, particularly after its nuclearization. This shift, characterized by doctrines emphasizing limited war scenarios and surgical strikes, poses significant security challenges for Pakistan. The paper discusses the implications of this shift for regional stability, suggesting that it has instigated an arms race and heightened tensions between the two countries. The third paper explores the evolution of strategic communication from a corporate tool to a key element in national and foreign policy, especially in governmental organizations. It investigates the role of strategic communication within national security strategy, emphasizing its importance in fostering social cohesion and addressing threats. The paper argues for the inclusion of communication as a core component of security strategies, alongside military and diplomatic efforts. The fourth paper addresses the changing nature of warfare between India and Pakistan, reflecting broader shifts in global conflict paradigms due to technological advancements and strategic innovations. It examines the implications of nuclear deterrence, military doctrines, and technological progressions for regional security, providing an in-depth analysis of the evolving military capabilities and strategies of India and their implications for Pakistan. The fifth paper focuses on the protracted conflict in Kashmir, particularly its impact on women. It highlights the intense violation of human rights and marginalization faced by women in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The paper stresses upon the failure of India to uphold the agenda of UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security) domestically. The study advocates for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in IIOJK, emphasizing its importance for women’s participation in peace processes and the protection of their rights in conflict-affected areas.