(By Khalid Masood) Introduction: The Paradox of Modern Power In the annals of military history, victory has traditionally been measured by the destruction of enemy capabilities, the seizure of territory, and the imposition of political will through overwhelming force. Yet, the recent confrontation between the United States and Iran presents a strategic paradox that challenges…
(By Khalid Masood) “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”— Sun Tzu, The Art of War The modern landscape of geopolitical conflict is undergoing a stark transformation. What began as a regional confrontation involving Israel, Iran, and proxy networks has evolved into a strategic stress test for the global order….
(By Khalid Masood) Introduction: When the Sky Turns Against You On March 25, 2003, a wall of sand—brown, choking, and absolute—slammed into the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division as it advanced toward Baghdad. Visibility dropped to less than 50 meters. Fine grit infiltrated rifle mechanisms, clogged tank treads, and jammed the switches on communication gear….
(By Khalid Masood) 1. Introduction The Middle East security architecture has undergone significant transformation since the early 2020s. The normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states, the evolving nuclear threshold status of Iran, and the shifting priorities of the United States toward great power competition have created a volatile equilibrium. In early 2026, following…
(By Khalid Masood) Introduction: The Puzzle of Timing in a Volatile Region On February 26, 2026, mediators in Geneva reported “significant progress” in negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Omani diplomats, who have long served as the quiet custodians of this backchannel, described an “unprecedented openness to creative solutions.” Forty-eight hours later, the region was illuminated…
(By Khalid Masood) Executive Summary The ongoing US-Israel joint military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, represents the most complex air warfare operation in modern history. While American and Israeli forces have achieved near-total air superiority and conducted unprecedented coordinated strikes, critical questions remain: Can air power alone achieve strategic victory? Is…
(By Khalid Masood) Pakistan’s military is making headlines for ramping up its modernization drive and the numbers are hard to ignore. Defense spending has jumped by 17 percent with a staggering Rs2.55 trillion ($9 billion) earmarked for the next year alone. Big defense deals and stealth jets might sound like old news but wait. The real surprise…
(By Khalid Masood) At the 11th World Radar Expo in Hefei, Anhui Province of China, on May 17, 2025, the JY-27V, a next-generation radar system branded as a “stealth killer” was unveiled. Developed by the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), this mobile meter-wave radar is engineered to detect advanced stealth aircraft, such as the…
(By Khalid Masood) India’s ambition to ascend as a global superpower, a “21st-century Vishwaguru,” gleams with the promise of a nation poised to rival China’s dominance. With a $4.27 trillion economy, a youthful demographic, and a vocal diaspora, New Delhi envisions itself as a democratic beacon steering the global order. Yet, beneath this radiant narrative…
(By Khalid Masood) The May 6–7, 2025, Indo-Pak military skirmish, known as Operation Sindoor, exposed critical deficiencies in the quality of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots compared to their Pakistan Air Force (PAF) counterparts, as evidenced by the rapid downing of three Rafale jets, one Su-30 MKI, and one MiG-29 within minutes of hostilities. The…
