This Issue Brief analyses the structural limitations of the Gulf security framework in light of Israelâs unprecedented attack in Doha on 9 September, targeting Palestinian Hamas leadership. While the attack marked a dangerous escalation of Tel Avivâs regional adventurism, it also exposed the enduring structural weaknesses of the Gulfâs security architecture which has been defined by entrenched dependency on the United States.
This issue brief explores whether Pakistan can evolve from a traditional âsecurity contractorâ into West Asiaâs net security stabiliser. The September 17, 2025, Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement marks a pivotal moment, formalising decades of military cooperation between the two countries. Historically, Pakistan has trained Gulf forces, guarded monarchies, and provided military personnel, often in transactional arrangements....
The Jatiya Nagorik Party (JNP)â born out of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement, that steered the July 2024 uprising in Bangladeshâ is seeking to break the decades-long dominance of the Awami League and BNP, and advocating for a Second Republic through constitutional reform and centrist, pluralist governance. As it navigates entrenched power structures and competing opposition forces, it faces both great promise and uncertain challenges in its quest to reshape the nationâs political future.
Topic:Â âUS under Trump 2.0: Issues, Challenges and Future Directions for India and the Worldâ
When the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February 2022, much of the West viewed global responses through a binary lens, as usualâus versus themâdefining countries as either supporters of Ukraine or allies of Russia. Western nations, particularly the United States and its European allies, presented this struggle in moralistic terms: democracy vs autocracy, good versus evil, the free world versus an expansionist dictatorships.
India and Bangladesh share a deep-rooted historical, civilizational, and geographical connection. As neighbours in South Asia, their relationship has been characterized by cooperation and mutual respect but has also faced occasional challenges due to differing perceptions, internal politics, historical reasons, and relative power dynamics.
For years, this community has endured systematic targeting, with little to no substantial response from the state to protect its citizens or address the root causes of these attacks
While Donald Trumpâs leadership style may appear erratic, it is underpinned by consistent geo-economic and geostrategic motivations
As India formalises its engagement with the Taliban, it is clear that New Delhiâs strategy is driven by long-term strategic objectives such as maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan, strengthening regional cooperation, and protecting Indiaâs security and economic interests.
On 4 July 2024, International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS) launched the Book Jammu and Kashmir in India: The Saga of Development authored by Sheikh Khalid Jehangir at the
Sheikh Khaild Jehangir, Secretary General, ICPS, addressed Y20 consultation meet on climate change under Indiaâs G20 presidency in Srinagar on Thursday, 11 May 2023 at University of Kashmir.
Mr. Mekki El Mograbi, Media Consultant and Head, International Relations, Sudan Centre for Thinktanks and Strategic Studies, Khartoum, Sudan, visited ICPS on 28 March 2023 and interacted with the scholars.
Dr Aleksei Zakharov, Research Fellow, Higher School of Economics (HSE), Moscow interacted with the researchers at ICPS on 17 March 2023. There was a free exchange of views on the evolving political and security situation in the Eurasian region including Afghanistan.
    
Comments
Bridging Rivals, Managing Risks: Will Pakistanâs Quiet Strategic Recalibration Work?
Syed Eesar Mehdi
Pakistanâs offer to assist the US in recovering abandoned Afghan weapons signals strategic pragmatism, diplomatic repositioning, and a desire for relevanceâyet its security gains remain limited without repairing ties with India.
âSelf-Determinationâ as Empty Rhetoric: How Islamabad Undermines SelfâRule in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir
Idress Aftab
Pakistanâs celebration of âself-determinationâ masks a deeper reality of disenfranchisement and control in both parts of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmirâthe so-called Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan. When judged by quality of life, representation, and rights, the narrative falls apart.
How a Potential Regime Change in Iran might affect Gilgit-Baltistan
Senge Sering
Potential regime change in Iran could reshape GilgitâBaltistan, weakening Shia networks, disrupting ChinaâPakistan strategies under CPEC, and intensifying regional contestation between Western influence, local identity, and strategic resource exploitation.
The NA-130 Verdict and the Rigged Reality of the Pakistani State
Mohammed Shoaib Raza
The NA 130 verdict exemplifies Pakistanâs hybrid system, where elections, courts, and constitutional amendments serve elite management. Imran Khanâs confinement underscores military dominance over civilian politics and managed democracy.