Strategic & Defence Analysis

Advanced analysis of military strategy, operational art, hybrid warfare, emerging domains, and historical conflict studies shaping modern warfare theory and practice.

comprehensive image on why america loses wars

WHY AMERICA LOSES WARS:

The United States possesses the most formidable military machine in history, yet since 1945 it has repeatedly failed to convert battlefield dominance into durable political success. From Vietnam and Afghanistan to Iraq, Libya and now Iran, America has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to start wars, destroy regimes and win tactical battles—but a remarkable inability to achieve sustainable strategic outcomes. This paper examines the recurring strategic failures that have transformed military victories into political setbacks.

china nuclear missiles

China’s Nuclear Expansion and the End of Strategic Arms Control: Entering a More Dangerous Cold War 2.0

latest open-source reporting on new Chinese launch pads near missile silo fields with my prior assessment that Beijing’s nuclear acceleration is a defining driver of Cold War 2.0

From a strategic perspective, the Strait of Hormuz is a geopolitical weapon that can affect the future balance of power, international markets, and the outcome of conflicts

Why the Strait of Hormuz Has Become the Decisive Theatre in US–Iran Conflict?

“From a strategic perspective, the Strait of Hormuz is a geopolitical weapon that can affect the future balance of power, international markets, and the outcome of conflicts”

The Strait of Hormuz is no longer merely a maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. It has evolved into the strategic fulcrum of global geopolitics — a narrow corridor where military power, energy security, economics, diplomacy, and great-power rivalry converge with dangerous intensity.

Why Global Diplomacy Won’t Solve the Looming Energy & Forex Challenge: Why Every Indian Needs to Fight a Karmyudh

How can India Mitigate Impending Energy and Forex Trap? Why Every Indian Must Fight a ‘Karmyudh’ for Energy and Financial Security.

Strategic Imperative: Relying on foreign supply arrangements or promises of supply chain resilience carries severe geopolitical risks when transport routes face active disruption. True sovereignty demands indigenous physical buffers and direct demand-side interventions

Trump, Xi and Cold War 2.0: Managing Rivalry in a Fragmented World

The complex US-China rivalry has evolved into "Cold War 2.0," entailing intertwined economic and strategic interactions amidst military posturing. Presidents Trump and Xi's approaches symbolize contrasting strategies: Trump’s transactional nationalism versus Xi’s strategic continuity. The geopolitical landscape remains multipolar, requiring nations to navigate pressures prudently while fostering selective partnerships and avoiding outright confrontation.

Major General (Dr.) S. B. Asthana (Veteran) standing at a podium delivering a strategic keynote on India's Security Policy at the Atal–Kalam Research Park, Ahmedabad.

India’s Security Policy: From Regional Security to Global Stability

It was an honour to deliver a talk at the National Seminar organised by Bharatiya Vichar Manch and Gujarat University on the theme “India’s Global Role: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” at the prestigious Atal–Kalam Research Park, Karnavati, Ahmedabad, on 16 February 2026.

The seminar brought together scholars, researchers, strategic thinkers, academicians, and enlightened citizens from various parts of India for a meaningful deliberation on India’s evolving global role and strategic trajectory in an increasingly turbulent world order. I spoke on “India’s Security Policy: From Regional Security to Global Stability,” examining India’s geopolitical security perspective, military capabilities, and the interplay of hard power, soft power, and smart power.The discussions reflected both intellectual depth and national commitment towards understanding India’s emergence as a responsible global power.

I had the privilege of speaking on the subject “India’s Security Policy: From Regional Security to Global Stability.” The deliberation focused on the evolution of India’s strategic outlook, the changing geopolitical environment, the nature of contemporary conflicts, and the role of India as a stabilising force amid global uncertainty. The discussion also covered India’s strategic conduct in the context of past and present wars, diplomacy, and its relations with Pakistan, China, and the United States. The session concluded with a lively and engaging question-and-answer interaction.