For decades now, an enigma called Pakistan has been a question of perpetual quandary for analysts and strategists of the globe due to the hybrid nature of the polity the country follows, where the role of the military outwits that of elected civilian leaders. Many scholars have analysed this complicated relationship from many perspectives. Illustration by The Geostrata The most recent of those accounts will be The Zardari Presidency (2008-2013): Now It Must Be Told by Farhatu

The pattern is all too familiar. A jihadi group operating from Pakistani soil, with state backing, carries out a terror attack on India. If the assault is particularly atrocious, India suspends diplomatic engagement while mulling more punitive responses, including strikes on terror safe havens inside Pakistan and adopting more proactive security doctrines aiming to inflict high costs on state-sponsors of terrorism.  Illustration by The Geostrata Pakistan, fearing its deterren

India has always been a land of many cultures ruled by various rulers who have passed on to us a complex set of traditions, ideas & thoughts. Many empires have coexisted on this land, which has led to the development of strong diplomatic relations, striking a combination of trade and military policies. It's time that we revisit our past and bridge it with the present.   Illustration by The Geostrata REDISCOVERING ANCIENT WISDOM THROUGH PROJECT UDBHAV India is on its way to re

The Russia-Ukraine conflict of 2022 has triggered significant disruptions in the global value chain, particularly affecting the food and fuel sectors. Stemming from historical tensions and contemporary geopolitical dynamics, the conflict escalated, raising concerns about regional stability and global economic repercussions. Cover by The Geostrata This paper examines the multifaceted impact of the conflict, focusing on the disruption of oil supply chains and agricultural expor

Greetings, everyone, We are happy to launch the 2025 edition of the Geomaga. In a way the year 2025 has been a year of national security. From Operation Sindoor against Pakistan to strikes on Myanmar and from technological advancements in the defence sector to the renewed focus on self-reliance, these are the broad spectrum of issues that have dominated the popular intellectual discourse throughout the year. Cover by The Geostrata In this edition of the Geomaga, we have inclu

Strategic deterrence in the modern era has advanced well beyond single-warhead missiles. Today, nations rely on technologies that ensure credible retaliation, increase survivability, and complicate interception. The Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) technology is particularly important among these developments. One missile with MIRV capability can launch multiple warheads, each directed toward a distinct target. Illustration by The Geostrata A "bus" or

The global security and modern-day geopolitical landscape is increasingly defined by the sophisticated challenge of deterring hybrid warfare and state-sponsored terrorism, a problem acutely felt in the nuclear-shadowed rivalry between India and Pakistan. Illustration by The Geostrata For decades, India’s approach has been to follow a traditional military strategy focused on preventing attacks through sheer defense and maintaining its intelligence networks. Yet the character o

A brave new world. A highly tabooed energy source. A scourge for some, a holy grail for others - Nuclear power. Can the latest nuclear advancements be deliverance for humanity or a doom ?  Advanced nuclear technology reactors with power capacity of about 300 MW(e)per unit, Small Modular Reactors  constitute about one third of the generating capacity of conventional ones. This innovation in nuclear technology is also sometimes referred to as ‘mini-nukes’ Illustration by The G

Urban cities, which were once the centres of commerce, civilisation, and culture, are now increasingly being transformed into battlegrounds of modern-day conflicts. Modern warfare is no longer confined to frontlines, but is now playing out more in densely populated urban spaces. From Kyiv and Gaza to Khartoum and Aleppo, urban cities have become spaces of warfare. This highlights the fact that the lines between war zones and civilian spaces are blurring.  Illustration by The

Techniques of warfare have evolved and are no longer confined to battlefields and the use of military force. The landscape has shifted to incorporate cybersecurity, the media (including contemporary and social media), and narrative building , along with other major global threats, such as environmental and economic threats. Information and the manipulation of human behaviour hold crucial importance in contemporary warfare. Illustration by The Geostrata With the increasing int

The United States continues to maintain an extensive military presence in West Asia, which represents one of the most enduring features of post-Cold War geopolitics. Many analysts describe the American military presence in West Asia as a stabilizing influence. However, its actual effects have proven more complex than traditional narratives suggest. Illustration by The Geostrata US leaders from both Republican and Democratic administrations have used military capabilities to p

It has been over 1,200 days, and yet, the war between Russia and Ukraine is still ongoing. The world watched the lines of battle shift, peace talks struggle, and hopes for a ceasefire fade, but the fundamental issues fueling the conflict remain unchanged. Both the guns and diplomacy persist in a costly deadlock despite the stakes and efforts of the global leaders, leaving the future of Europe uncertain. Illustration by The Geostrata One such effort unfolded on 15th August, at

In modern conflict , wars are not just fought on the battlefronts but also in the realm of public opinion . Fogging of media is the deliberate or inadvertent manipulation of military action brought about by ambiguous, partisan, or propagandistic media reporting. Illustration by The Geostrata In the era of instant information, this fog—produced by state and non-state actors, media organisations, and social media—sets the context of perception, understanding, and judgment of wa

“ Space is the ultimate high-ground. We must secure it now or risk being left blind.” This statement was made by Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit , Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, at the Surveillance and Electro Optics India seminar in June 2025 at New Delhi. Illustration by The Geostrata His words are reflective of a growing trend in the world–space as no longer a combat supporting domain but a warfighting one. Space has always been viewed as the final frontier in warfare. The

In international relations, a "sphere of influence" (SOI) refers to a spatial region or concept division where a state or organisation has a level of cultural, economic, military, or political exclusivity or predominant control. It remains one of the most pervasive phenomena in the practice and history of international relations, yet only rarely have they been taken up analytically. This concept had gained its base mostly in the post-World War II era, which is also known as t

China’s progressive usage of the Active Defence Doctrine and its strategic reinterpretation  under the leadership of Xi Jinping in 2015...

“Only the dead have seen the end of war,” famously remarked General Douglas MacArthur, attributing this quotation to ancient Greek philosopher Plato in his farewell address to the graduating class of West Point in 1962, highlighting the intertwined nature of the growth of human civilisation and the inalienable role of conflict between humans. The foundation of the realist school of international relations is augmented by this belief. Cover by The Geostrata Realists believe th

In a kite fight, regardless of asymmetrical build, if the stronger kite gets bruised with multiple tears or if the spool runs out, it has...

“Pakistan today has defied its own name, as there is nothing Islamic about it, no Republic in it and people do not live to see another...

Operation Sindoor marks a pivotal moment in South Asia’s national security apparatus, following a brutal terrorist attack in April 2025, in Pahalgam, claiming the lives of twenty six civilians. In response, India launched an appropriate and precise retaliatory strike on May 7, targeting nine key terror camps across Pakistan and PoK. The operation underscored a significant shift in India’s counter-terrorism strategy. Cover by The Geostrata This report offers a comprehensive a