Transition of Threat

By Dr Atique Ur Rehman
Ken Booth defined strategic culture as “a nation’s traditions, values, attitudes, patterns of behavior, habits, symbols, achievements and particular ways of adapting to the environment and solving problems with respect to the threat and use of force. Strategic Culture is the set of beliefs, perceptions, historical baggage, and the geopolitical vision that shape a country’s foreign policy, its strategic choices, and its position in international relations. Values are important for strategic planning because if everyone demonstrates the same values, passion and purpose when they come to work, then they are going to be working toward the same goal, regardless of what the strategic plan is.
We have a subjective and parochial strategic culture where dominating class try to govern the minds of others. Our strategic culture lack cohesion in selection of objectives.
Transition of power from military hardware to nuclear capability and then cyber world has compelled our adversary to bring a change in their strategy. Indian policy has been consistent to destablize Pakistan, force it to oblige Indian hegemony and if not then coerce Pakistan at international level through all available diplomatic options. Propaganda and diplomatic maneuvers has helped India to achieve its objectives without using arms. The great game being played in Indo- Pacific regions, has provided India an opportunity to align itself with forces who were in search of opportunities to twist Pakistan’s arm. India has been able to side with those forces , to indirectly enforce economic constraints on Pakistan.
Blitzkrieg and communication were two major factors of success for Germans in World War 2 in Battle of France. Blitzkreig is a German word meaning “Lightning War,”. The terminology refers to an intense military campaign intended to bring about a swift victory. The blitzkrieg was a form of military operation developed by an Heinz Guderian shortly before World War II. Germany’s strategy was to avoid long wars and defeat its opponents in a series of short campaigns. Indian cold start was adoption of Blitzkreig but it was nullified by superior strategic thinking of Pakistan military’s leadership and technological edge due to untiring efforts of our scientists and engineers.
Blitzkrieg-inspired operations was also carried out by Israel against Arab forces in Syria and Egypt during the Six-Day War in 1967.
The lethality of modern military equipment and artificial intelligence ( AI) , invention of drones, has eased the surveillance and recognition of targets. Advances in communication and AI, compel us to deliberate how modern warfare will bring devastation to human kind.
Internet and social media is already in use to target the will of the nation. Public opinion is being manufactured through proliferation of fake content, hate speech and by enhancing economic constraints through international institutions. Cyber warfare is already in play to achieve intended objectives.
Our strategic culture needs to be modified to counter our adversaries’ efforts to exploit weak links in our political culture which promoted fissures. Harmony among political objectives can neutralize all threats emanating from our eastern adversary, western borders, technological advances, and great game being played in asia pacific and indo-pacific regions.