Exploration of hybrid warfare, grey-zone conflict, cyber operations, information warfare, psychological operations, and multi-domain competition.
Maj Gen (Dr) S B Asthana, SM, VSM (Veteran) “Geography, Sea Denial, and the Timeless Art of Making the Stronger Adversary Fight on Unfavourable Terms“ “History remembers great battles. Strategic history remembers those who avoided them. From Shivaji’s mountain forts…
A Warning Proven Right by Time
Six years ago, during my address at the Strategic Studies Institute (SWI), I issued a clear challenge to our domestic defence industry: India’s future battlefield dominance will belong to whoever controls unmanned systems. At the time, the conversation was centered around specialised, high-altitude surveillance platforms like the Predator or the indigenous Rustam series.
Today, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically. Unmanned warfare is no longer an elite asset reserved for surgical strikes; it is the fundamental currency of modern attritional conflict. Looking back at my 2020 presentation alongside the staggering realities of current global theater dynamics, one thing is undeniably clear: the future I warned about is already here, and our scale of thinking must undergo a massive transformation.
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.
“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.
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
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.
