Stories by Khurram Abbas

India’s theatre command push marred by capability gaps, readiness concerns

As of Apr 2026, the IAF operates only 29 fighter squadrons — its lowest level in decades — down from roughly 31-32 before the full retirement of the MiG-21 in September 2025.

Published 25 Sep, 2026 10:32am

The forgotten NSP

A viable geo-economic vision cannot survive in a fortress state.

Updated 19 Sep, 2026 08:42am

The beneficiaries of war

Several sectors have emerged as unmistakable commercial winners in the US-Iran conflict.

Updated 22 Aug, 2026 08:51am

A nation between adversaries

A comprehensive historical analysis reveals that mediation has remained one of Pakistan’s most essential foreign policy...

Updated 14 Aug, 2026 12:36pm

Strategic sanity

In this hostile environment, the best, most practical option for Pakistan and India remains the resumption of dialogue.

Published 17 Jul, 2026 07:17am

Navigating the Hormuz dilemma

Islamabad has an opportunity to pitch the idea of ‘renting oil and gas storage facilities’ to the Arab Gulf states.

Updated 14 Jun, 2026 09:24am

Hard choices

India has expedited development on a number of controversial hydropower projects.

Updated 06 May, 2026 07:38am

Choosing not to be a peace-broker

New Delhi has created a perception gap between its stated ambitions and its actual strategic conduct.

Updated 18 Apr, 2026 05:57pm

The emerging axis

Several structural factors suggest the potential emergence of a Sunni geopolitical axis.

Published 09 Mar, 2026 07:21am

There are several reasons why Pakistan is trying to position itself as a ‘mineral state’

Published 25 Feb, 2026 06:04pm

Minerals diplomacy

There are several reasons why Pakistan is trying to position itself as a ‘mineral state’.

Published 25 Feb, 2026 08:00am

Managing uncertainty

States are trying to protect their interests in a volatile Trumpian world.

Updated 06 Feb, 2026 09:43am

Multipolar South Asia

Islamabad believes that a resurgent Pakistan, assertive Bangladesh and proactive China can effectively limit Indian influence in the region.

Updated 16 Jan, 2026 09:33am

Regional Tension: The End Of Strategic Restraint

IN 2025, Pakistan witnessed an unprecedented and unfamiliar foreign policy landscape. Its main features were the...

Published 01 Jan, 2026 08:08am

Afghanistan & regional paradox

Despite human rights violations at home, the Taliban have managed to establish a diplomatic presence in 39 capitals.

Updated 17 Dec, 2025 09:43am

Strategic ambitions

Islamabad’s security activism in Middle East is its new currency of relevance.

Updated 02 Dec, 2025 09:39am

Grand strategy

Islamabad wants to attain strategic relevance.

Published 11 Oct, 2025 05:11am

Access denied

Media on both sides is amplifying state narratives.

Published 18 Sep, 2025 06:58am

Pakistan, India & South Asia’s unending rivalry

The two sides need to work on resumption of backchannel diplomacy, which could help in mitigating mistrust.

Updated 14 Aug, 2025 10:10am

Unilateralism risk

Doors to diplomacy are being shut.

Published 10 Aug, 2025 07:16am