As India recalls the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam claiming lives of 26 civilian tourists, I take the opportunity to share my analysis regarding strategies, application of operational art in Operation Sindoor successfully launched by India. Besides the right strategic…
The Iran–Israel–US conflict highlights a critical lesson in modern warfare: tactical military success does not guarantee strategic victory. Despite overwhelming airpower, the US–Israel coalition has struggled to achieve decisive political outcomes against Iran’s resilient, asymmetric defence model. By leveraging geography—especially the Strait of Hormuz—Iran has turned energy flows into a strategic weapon with global consequences. The conflict is accelerating a shift toward a multipolar world order while exposing vulnerabilities for energy-dependent nations like India. Ultimately, without a clear political end-state or exit strategy, even the most advanced military campaigns risk becoming long-term strategic setbacks.
As the U.S shifts from a total blockade to targeting Iranian ports, the Strait of Hormuz remains a powder keg. Maj Gen S.B. Asthana analyzes why geography is Iran's ultimate "Asymmetric Advantage" and what it means for India's energy security.
My latest article in Business Standard Blueprint (Defence & Geopolitics) analyses how and why India and China have moved towards a limited tactical reset since late 2025. I argue that the current engagement “is a product of necessity amid global turbulence, not trust” and is best seen as “cautious re‑engagement, not reconciliation.” The reset offers breathing space from US tariff pressures and global uncertainty, but it does not resolve the underlying structural rivalry or the unresolved boundary dispute.
Four weeks into the coordinated US-Israeli air campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran, a clear strategic lesson emerges: tactical air superiority cannot substitute for a viable political end-state. Operations "Epic Fury" and "Rising Lion" have showcased high-intensity degradation, yet they have not led to systemic collapse in Tehran.
