Strategic Analysis

Pakistan’s Outreach to Bangladesh: An Analysis

With the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on 5 August 2024, a newfound warmth in Pakistan–Bangladesh relations has come to the fore. On 7 August 2024, Pakistan issued a statement expressing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh (Momand Citation2024). Pakistanis who had once termed the separation of East Pakistan as ‘good riddance’ have suddenly become euphoric. There is a sudden spurt in interaction among diplomats, politicians and military officials and reported flow of even ammunitions and other defence material, suggesting the growing level of trust between the two countries.

Ashish Shukla |
January-February 2025 |
Strategic Analysis

Power Geostructure in East Asia: Sub-Regional Shifts and Strategic Implications (1992–2023)

The East Asian subregion has undergone profound transformations in its national power distribution since the end of the Second World War and especially, during the post-Cold War period. Several countries in the region, previously underdeveloped, have managed to emerge as powers of global relevance, while in the 21st century some of these same powers are declining or facing challenges to maintain their power. In a subregion of crucial strategic importance, these changes demand an analysis and update of the national power dynamics in East Asia.

Eduardo Tzili-Apango , Daniel Morales Ruvalcaba |
January-February 2025 |
Strategic Analysis

India’s Participation in the Quad: From Hesitation to Proactivity

The ‘Indo-Pacific’ region has become one of the epicentres of global issues, with the emergence of multilateral mechanisms such as the ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’ (Quad). This group comprises Australia, India, Japan and the United States of America. India is considered to be the ‘weakest link’ in the Quad. However, this is only partially true. The authors of this article are of the view that, being the only country in the group that is not a formal US ally, India’s participation in Quad has been ‘different’ rather than ‘weak’ – moving from being hesitant to being more proactive, while maintaining its strategic autonomy.

Le Thi Hang Nga , Nguyen Thi Oanh , Phan Cao Nhat Anh , Temjenmeren Ao , Ha Le Huyen |
January-February 2025 |
Strategic Analysis

Regional Organizations and Maritime Dispute Resolution: Challenges in ASEAN and the Baltic Sea

Academic research demonstrates that regional organizations have great influence in resolving maritime conflicts, as its members are immediately affected by contention in the region. However, regional organizations also face challenges stemming from the organization’s own mechanism, capacity, and role which reduces the regional organization’s active role in preventing and resolving conflicts. This article examines the case of the Baltic Sea and South China Sea regions, specifically, comparing, analysing challenges in maritime conflict resolution between the ASEAN and CBSS.

Hanh Hong Bui , Huong Thu Thi Doan , Nam Thanh Bui |
January-February 2025 |
Strategic Analysis

Environmental Security Complex in the Hindu-Kush Himalayas: A Regional Perspective

The Hindu-Kush Himalayas (HKH) mountains that sustain billions of livelihoods are facing transboundary environmental threats including climate change, natural disasters, air pollution, and food and water insecurity that transcend political borders. Environmental threats have, however, remained at the periphery of security discourse. By employing the ‘Theory of Regional Security Complex’ the article looks at the evolution of a security complex in the environmental sector and how it is projected to evolve further in the backdrop of increasing environmental insecurities. It argues for interdependence among States concerning transboundary environmental threats and situates the relevance of the environmental sector in the heavily politicized and militarized HKH.

India in Global Climate Politics: Balancing Continuity and Change

India has played a key role in international processes related to global environment and the climate crisis. The nature of India’s participation has gradually shifted—from being a defensive actor to one actively shaping global efforts on climate change. Yet, some elements of India’s climate policy have remained rooted in its original ideational values. Using the qualitative content analysis method, this article traces the evolution of India’s engagement with international climate diplomacy from Kyoto (1997) to Dubai (2023), with the goal of delineating its continuity and change. The article identifies three factors to explain these shifts—systemic change, institutional reform, and proactive leadership.

Robert Mizo |
January-February 2025 |
Strategic Analysis

What is the Great Powers Perspective on the International Order? Analysing the Content of US, Chinese, EU, and Russian Strategic Plans

International order is one of the most important questions for scholars in the field of International Relations. Many efforts have been made to understand the nature and characteristics of global order, especially in recent years. This article attempts to analyse the strategic documents of four major powers (the United States, the European Union, China, and Russia) to understand and compare them. This research employs qualitative content analysis and coding techniques using MAXQDA2020 to examine the strategic documents of these powers and their perception of international order. The results of this research demonstrate that alliance is the preferred concept of the global powers.