The Beacon Journal
type: channel
description: The Beacon Journal is a peer-reviewed bi-annual research journal of the Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCE) at Pakistan Navy War College (PNWC), Lahore and is recognized in Y-Category by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC). It is a forum for independent research, scholarly investigation and analysis, encompassing national, regional and global issues with policy relevance. It primarily focuses on maritime security studies with a multi-disciplinary perspective. The fundamental objective of The Beacon Journal is to publish top-quality, policy-relevant research in an accessible manner.
publisher: Maritime Centre of Excellence, PNWC
language: en
publication name: The Beacon Journal
items: BOOK REVIEW: NUCLEAR ARMS CONTROL IN SOUTH ASIA: POLITICS, POSTURE AND PRACTICES BY ZAFAR NAWAZ JASPAL, PARAMOUNT BOOKS, 2024
items: CHINA'S BASTION STRATEGY: AUKUS AND AUSTRALIA'S CHANGING GEOPOLICTICAL POSITION IN THE INDO-PACIFIC
items: WEAPONISING PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY IN INTERNATIONAL LAW: EXAMINING INDIA'S USE OF GREY ZONE TACTICS AND CLANDESTINE OPERATIONS
items: HYDRO-POLITICS AND REGIONAL SECURITY IN THE KABUL RIVER BASIN: A REGIONAL SECURITY COMPLEX THEORY PERSPECTIVE
items: BRAHMOS INCIDENT: INADVERTENT ESCALATION AND CRISIS STABILITY IN PAKISTAN-INDIA RELATIONS
items: EXPLORING LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPON SYSTEMS AND MARITIME TERRORISM: IMPLICATIONS FOR PAKISTAN'S MARITIME SECURITY
items: BEYOND DETERRENCE: INDIA'S NAVAL MODERNISATION INSTIGATING MARITIME ARMS RACE SPIRAL MODEL IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION
items: AI-DRIVEN WARFARE: IMPLICATIONS FOR MILITARY STRATEGY AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
items: INDEFINITE MORATORIA ON DEEP-SEA MINING: CLIMATE NECESSITY OR COMPENSABLE REGULATORY TAKING?
items: EU STRATEGIC AUTONOMY: cOMPARING GERMAN OFFSHORE WIND AND PORTUGUESE HYDROPOWER
items: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MARINE ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT: INSIGHTS FROM PAKISTAN
items: From Sea to Soil: Inland Impacts of Maritime Piracy and Arms Trafficking on East Africa
items: Impact of Melting Arctic Routes on the ASEAN Blue Economy: Climate Change and Regional Security Challenges. (2025-2035)
items: Kautilyan Geopolitics and India’s Extended Neighborhood Policy: A Case of Persian
items: Countering Connectivity: US Response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative
items: Mapping Media Bias: Global Islamophobic Trends and their Reflections in South Asia
items: Impacts of Climate Change on Human Security in Pakistan
items: German Indo-Pacific Vision: Pakistan as a Strategic Hub
items: AI Militarization in the Seas: Beyond the Stopping Power of the Sea
items: Book Review: 88 Days to Kandahar; A CIA Diary by Robert Grenier
items: Strategic Maritime Environment in Indian Ocean: Challenges and Opportunities for Pakistan
items: Managing Leadership Challenges: A Comparative Study Between Confucius and Iqbal's Leadership Philosophy in Backdrop of CPEC
items: Balance of Power Politics and China's Role as Strategic Balancer in South Asia
items: Role of Internal Security of India in Shaping Its Strategic Culture: Policy Options for Pakistan
items: France Ingress in Indo-Pacific Region: Options for Pakistan
items: Maritime Trade: Comparing Pakistan with Maritime Neighbours
items: The Realist Paradigm and Regional Security Dynamics in South Asia
items: Pakistan's Geopolitical Challenges and Opportunities in the Neighbourhood
items: The Challenge of Water Management in Central Asia: A Case Study of Aral Sea
items: Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) For National Security: A Counter Terrorism Approach in Pakistan

BOOK REVIEW: NUCLEAR ARMS CONTROL IN SOUTH ASIA: POLITICS, POSTURE AND PRACTICES BY ZAFAR NAWAZ JASPAL, PARAMOUNT BOOKS, 2024
type: item
description: Nuclear arms control in South Asia occupies a paradoxical position in strategic studies: despite recurrent crises and accelerating military modernization, full-scale war has been avoided since overt nuclearization in 1998.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: NUCLEAR ARMS CONTROL
  topic: keywords
subject: SOUTH ASIA
  topic: keywords
subject: book review
  topic: disciplines
subject: nuclear arms control in south asia
  topic: disciplines
creator: Isha Hamid
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

CHINA'S BASTION STRATEGY: AUKUS AND AUSTRALIA'S CHANGING GEOPOLICTICAL POSITION IN THE INDO-PACIFIC
type: item
description: The strategic outlook of Australia has evolved over the last two decades due to the Chinese military's growth in the Indo-Pacific region. This has been driven by Beijing's growing assertiveness and its efforts to reshape regional dynamics. This research employs a qualitative approach to analyse China’s Bastion strategy, conceptualised through the Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) framework. It also incorporates the Australian concept of “anti-access denial” and “area denial” as distinct strategic approaches. The AUKUS alliance between the US, UK, and Australia is crucial in navigating the complex Indo-Pacific waters. Nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS are intended to enhance deterrence capabilities and empower Australia strategically. Lastly, this research will address the uncertainties surrounding Australia's response to the nuclear non-proliferation regime as a non-nuclear-weapon state and provide recommendations regarding the SSN loophole in the NPT.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: AUKUS
  topic: keywords
subject: SSN
  topic: keywords
subject: SSBN
  topic: keywords
subject: Indo-Pacific
  topic: keywords
subject: A2/AD
  topic: keywords
subject: Indo-pacific geopolitical position
  topic: disciplines
subject: AUKUS
  topic: disciplines
subject: China's Bastion Strategy
  topic: disciplines
creator: Dr Muhammad Shareh Qazi
creator: Ayesha Imtiaz
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

WEAPONISING PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY IN INTERNATIONAL LAW: EXAMINING INDIA'S USE OF GREY ZONE TACTICS AND CLANDESTINE OPERATIONS
type: item
description: Grey zone warfare – covert operations conducted by states during peacetime to achieve political and military objectives without raising the risk of direct conventional confrontation – has become a defining feature of contemporary conflicts in South Asia. In this context, India has long been accused of providing both material and financial support to armed militant groups operating against Pakistan's interests. This study maps the progression of such instances in the 21st century across four periods: the 2000s, 2010s, post-2020, and 2025. Employing qualitative methodology, the paper explores potential drivers for these actions through Ajit Doval's Doctrine of 'defensive offense,' followed by an analysis of international legal frameworks that facilitate attributional obscurity in proxy warfare. The study contends that international law, originally designed for inter-state warfare, has inherent structural deficiencies that make it ineffective in combating the use of covert aggression, leading to severe implications for state security, regional stability and international accountability.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Proxy Warfare
  topic: keywords
subject: Grey Zone Conflict
  topic: keywords
subject: India-Pakistan Relations
  topic: keywords
subject: State-Sponsored Terrorism
  topic: keywords
subject: Doval Doctrine
  topic: keywords
subject: International Law
  topic: keywords
subject: Proxy warfare
  topic: disciplines
subject: Grey Zone Conflict
  topic: disciplines
subject: India-Pakistan Relations
  topic: disciplines
subject: State-Sponsored Terrorism
  topic: disciplines
subject: Doval Doctrine
  topic: disciplines
subject: International Law
  topic: disciplines
creator: Sajal Shahid
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

HYDRO-POLITICS AND REGIONAL SECURITY IN THE KABUL RIVER BASIN: A REGIONAL SECURITY COMPLEX THEORY PERSPECTIVE
type: item
description: Pakistan and Afghanistan share the Kabul River Basin, but political instability in Afghanistan and security challenges have prevented the formulation of a bilateral water-sharing agreement. This paper employs a qualitative research method using the Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT) to analyse the Kabul River Basin, not simply as a growing environmental concern, but as a latent security issue within the Pakistan-Afghanistan-India-China regional sub-complex. It argues that with increasing Indian influence and investments in Afghanistan’s hydro infrastructure, the risk of future water-related tensions looms large. However, China’s recent interest in building water infrastructure in Afghanistan presents a new strategic opportunity for Pakistan; the outcome depends on Pakistan’s ability to achieve a balanced negotiated framework while catering to the India factor. Thus, the central question is how Pakistan can capitalise on China’s involvement to initiate proactive trilateral cooperation and avert the securitisation of water in an already volatile region. By integrating hydro politics into the logic of RSCT, the paper provides a framework to rethink water diplomacy in South Asia before the Kabul River Basin becomes a new frontier for regional contestation.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Kabul River Basin
  topic: keywords
subject: Kunar River
  topic: keywords
subject: Hydro Politics
  topic: keywords
subject: RSCT
  topic: keywords
subject: China
  topic: keywords
subject: Pakistan
  topic: keywords
subject: Afghanistan
  topic: keywords
subject: Kabul River Basin
  topic: disciplines
subject: Hydro Politics
  topic: disciplines
subject: China
  topic: disciplines
subject: Pakistan
  topic: disciplines
subject: Afghanistan
  topic: disciplines
creator: Maheera Munir
creator: Ameer Abdullah Khan
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

BRAHMOS INCIDENT: INADVERTENT ESCALATION AND CRISIS STABILITY IN PAKISTAN-INDIA RELATIONS
type: item
description: The BrahMos missile incident of 2022 and its implications for crisis stability in South Asia are the core of this paper. Departing from the common explanation of misfiring due to technical malfunction, this paper explores the possibility that the firing of the dual-capable BrahMos cruise missile in Pakistani territory may be a part of deliberate strategic signalling or an attempt to evaluate Pakistan’s preparedness and deterrence response. This paper evaluates this incident under the broader India-Pakistan security dilemma, building the argument that even unintended military actions like this incident between two nuclear-armed states can be a cause of serious risks of misperception, inadvertent escalation, and crisis instability. This paper examines the question of how technological advancements in missile delivery systems, defence programs, and evolving military doctrines have increased the strategic competition in South Asia. The paper dives into scenario-based analysis, keeping under analysis the normalization of the use of limited force under nuclear threshold. It also explores the possibility of deterrence failure due to ideological extremism, weak or almost no communication mechanisms, and historical mistrust between India and Pakistan. The paper argues that testing of operational thresholds may lead to a gradual undermining of deterrence stability and increase the risks of inadvertent crisis escalation. There is a need to institutionalize effective risk reduction measures and reinforce strategic stability frameworks.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Brahmos firing (2022)
  topic: keywords
subject: Crisis Stability in South Asia
  topic: keywords
subject: Pakistan-India Relations
  topic: keywords
subject: Deterrence
  topic: keywords
subject: Escalation Risks
  topic: keywords
subject: Brahmos
  topic: disciplines
subject: Pak-India Relations
  topic: disciplines
subject: Escalation Risks
  topic: disciplines
creator: Dr. Anum Riaz
creator: Zohaib Ali Khan
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

EXPLORING LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPON SYSTEMS AND MARITIME TERRORISM: IMPLICATIONS FOR PAKISTAN'S MARITIME SECURITY
type: item
description: Technology miniaturization, enhanced computing power and rapid advancements in AI and precision-guided munitions suggest that uncrewed systems are likely to evolve into Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS). The rise of LAWS, coupled with the increasing influence of violent non-state actors (VNSAs), private military contractors (PMCs) and state-sponsored proxies (SSPs), presents a dangerous proposition in the maritime domain. However, research in this domain is limited, especially in countries like Pakistan. This paper addresses two central questions, i.e., how LAWS may supplement efforts of Maritime terrorists and what implications it poses for Pakistan’s maritime and national security. Employing qualitative analysis, the study draws on primary data retrieved from (but not limited to) policy/ doctrines and semi-structured interviews with maritime security experts, whereas secondary data has been sourced through open-source intelligence, scholarly books, journal articles and case studies of maritime incidents. The data is analysed using the choice theoretic model for terrorism studies, complemented by the critical maritime infrastructure model proposed by Beuger and Liebetrau. Findings reveal that anti‑state actors, despite having limitations of resources, have been able to evolve and adapt to technology far more quickly than conventional forces. Balancing plausible deniability and visibility, these actors threaten not just Pakistan’s maritime security but also undermine regional security.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS)
  topic: keywords
subject: Autonomous Unscrewed Systems
  topic: keywords
subject: Geography
  topic: keywords
subject: Technology
  topic: keywords
subject: Maritime Terrorism
  topic: keywords
subject: Autonomous Weapon Systems
  topic: disciplines
subject: Maritime Terrorism
  topic: disciplines
creator: Mubashar Hassan Shahid
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

BEYOND DETERRENCE: INDIA'S NAVAL MODERNISATION INSTIGATING MARITIME ARMS RACE SPIRAL MODEL IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION
type: item
description: This paper investigates the evolution of India’s maritime strategy and its operationalization through sustained naval modernization, specifically examining how the integration of advanced strategic assets influences the security architecture of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the Arabian Sea. Utilizing a qualitative research design, the study triangulates data from scholarly literature, official policy documents, and real-time reportage – including the mobilization of India’s Western Naval Fleet during the May 2025 military standoff – to analyse shifting threat perceptions in the maritime domain. The research argues that India’s assertive maritime progression catalyzes regional destabilization, undermining the fragile security matrix and precipitating an intense naval arms race between India and Pakistan. By evaluating Indian strategic developments alongside Pakistan’s subsequent countermeasures, the paper explores the resulting degradation of deterrence dynamics between these two Nuclear Weapon States (NWSs). The study provides a descriptive mapping of military build-ups and an exploratory assessment of the strategic options available to Pakistan to maintain a regional maritime balance. Ultimately, the analysis highlights how such power projections heighten the risk of entanglement and challenge the long-term stability of the broader Indian Ocean maritime environment.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: IOR
  topic: keywords
subject: Security Dilemma
  topic: keywords
subject: Maritime Strategy
  topic: keywords
subject: Naval Modernisation
  topic: keywords
subject: Strategic Stability
  topic: keywords
subject: Maritime Strategy
  topic: disciplines
subject: Naval Modernisatino
  topic: disciplines
subject: Strategic Stability
  topic: disciplines
creator: Usama Khalid
creator: Naseem Sabzal
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

AI-DRIVEN WARFARE: IMPLICATIONS FOR MILITARY STRATEGY AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
type: item
description: Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the contemporary warfare and has a profound impact on the military strategy and international security. AI tools enable the military to detect targets more precisely and react to threats more effectively and promptly. Consequently, the armed forces can make decisions much faster and carry out operations on a more precise basis than previously. Meanwhile, scientists and policy-makers also caution that AI-powered warfare poses a severe threat and a challenge. This research paper explores how AI tools and applications influence military operations, force structure, and doctrine and what are the ethical, legal and strategic risks are associated with AI-powered warfare. Employing a qualitative research design, the paper explores the existing literature in the field and policy-related documents. The findings reveal that while AI tools offer unprecedented capabilities for data analysis, target precision, and rapid decision-making, their accelerated deployment risks triggering a new arms race, emergent escalation, and complex issues of accountability, civilian protection, and human control over lethal autonomous systems. The paper concludes that despite immense tactical and operational benefits, the long-term strategic risks of AI in warfare necessitate urgent international collaboration, robust regulatory frameworks, and the alignment of new security policies to help guarantee international security.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Autonomous Weapons
  topic: keywords
subject: Drone Warfare
  topic: keywords
subject: Military Strategy
  topic: keywords
subject: Non-Conflict Warfare
  topic: keywords
subject: International Security
  topic: keywords
subject: Cyber Warfare
  topic: keywords
subject: Ethics
  topic: keywords
subject: Autonomous Weapons
  topic: disciplines
subject: Military Strategy
  topic: disciplines
subject: International Security
  topic: disciplines
subject: Cyber Warfare
  topic: disciplines
creator: Dr. Bilal Aslam
creator: Wasi Ul Haq
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

INDEFINITE MORATORIA ON DEEP-SEA MINING: CLIMATE NECESSITY OR COMPENSABLE REGULATORY TAKING?
type: item
description: Submarine cables constitute the undersea critical infrastructure (UCI) which has become a strategic asset in the maritime domain. These cables facilitate international data connectivity, transmitting over 95% of global internet communication. Moreover, its vulnerability to emerging threats has become a salient issue in contemporary maritime security dynamics. The Indo-Pacific is home to a tightly clustered cable network and simultaneously accommodates emerging economies whose economic viability relies on the uninterrupted flow of financial communication. Any potential disruption would be economically catastrophic, severely impacting financial communication, trade, and energy flow. This paper introduces a framework for understanding that how are threats to undersea cable network rapidly evolving amid intensifying cable geopolitics on the seabed. Additionally, what implications does the changing policy discourse hae for the physical realities of these network and their resilience. While the fundamental risks to the submarine cables have not changed, this article categorizes those risks into two facets i.e., source and frequency. This research also evaluates the continuous transforming nature of those threats amid intensifying securitization of the maritime and economic domains, mainly driven by regional powers rivalry. In this realm, considering the extent to which the new discourse of cable securitization differs across various countries and companies, the securitization thesis is reshaping the architectural layout of regional cables as subjected investments are redirected to account for transitioning theoretical understandings of risk. Therefore, this paper proposes a “cradle-to-grave” approach for the protection of submarine cables that accounts for not only investment and their construction but also licensing, maintenance and repair processes.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Deep-Sea Mining
  topic: keywords
subject: Internatonal Seabed Authority
  topic: keywords
subject: Indirect Expropriation
  topic: keywords
subject: International Investment Law
  topic: keywords
subject: Blue Economy Governance
  topic: keywords
subject: Deap-Sea Mining
  topic: disciplines
subject: Blue economy
  topic: disciplines
creator: Ogonna Beauty Ogbologu
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

EU STRATEGIC AUTONOMY: cOMPARING GERMAN OFFSHORE WIND AND PORTUGUESE HYDROPOWER
type: item
description: This research investigates the mechanisms through which the European Union (EU) pursues strategic autonomy in the energy sector by examining the contrasting renewable energy trajectories of Germany and Portugal. The central research question explores how specific national strategies in offshore wind and hydropower influence the broader geopolitical leverage and energy security of the EU. Utilising the Renewable Energy Leeadership Model, this study evaluates the transition through the three analytical pillars of policy enablers , infrastructure modernization, and industrial innovation. The paper employs a qualitative comparative case study design. The findings indicate that Germany represents a scale-focused pathway characterized by the rapid expansion of frontier offshore wind technology. Conversely, Portugal exemplifies a stability-focused pathway that leverages the modernisation of mature hydripower assets for grid flexibility and storage. The analysis suggests a conceptual complemntarity between the German generation and Portuguese pumped storage capabilities. However, the study identifies critical structural barriers, most notably the lack of cross-border interconnections and persistent regulatory fragmentation. This comparative analysis concludes that individual national advancements are insufficient to achieve collective strategic autonomy without significant investment in trans-European infrastructure.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Renewable Energy Leadership
  topic: keywords
subject: Offshore Wind
  topic: keywords
subject: Hydropower Innovation
  topic: keywords
subject: EU Energy Transition
  topic: keywords
subject: Germany-Portugal Synergies
  topic: keywords
subject: Renewable Energy
  topic: disciplines
subject: Hydropower Innovation
  topic: disciplines
subject: Germany-Portugal Synergies
  topic: disciplines
creator: Dr. Ayesha Safdar
creator: Ayesha Mirza
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MARINE ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT: INSIGHTS FROM PAKISTAN
type: item
description: Oceans form the backbone of global trade and maritime security. However, governance failures and enviornmental degradation have impacted the sustainable development of oceans worldwide. Pakistan's marine economy also mirrors such global trends. Despite having a strategic maritime location, the contribution of the marine economy to Pakistan;s GDP is limited. The gross marine product accounts for only 0.34% of the country's total economy. This study addresses the primary research question of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help Pakistan in the development of its marine economy. It explores AI integration in Pakistan's marine economy. The study also explores Pakistan-specific AI and Marine economy constraints such as data gaps, inadequate institutional capacity, and financial limitations. Using a qualitative research design combining marine economy & AI literature and expert interviews, the study highlights key areas of impact, such as predictive maintenance, intelligent harvesting, disease detection, and GIS (Geographic Information System) based ecosystem monitoring. The study concludes that a phased-based integration of AI technologies is essential for maintaining workforce relevance, keeping technological pace with regional countries, and strengthening the national marine economy through improved sustainable and maritime domain awareness.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: AI
  topic: keywords
subject: Marine Economy Development
  topic: keywords
subject: GIS
  topic: keywords
subject: Gross Marine Product (GMP)
  topic: keywords
subject: Life Below Water
  topic: keywords
subject: AI Governance
  topic: keywords
subject: Artificial Intelligence
  topic: disciplines
subject: Marine Economy
  topic: disciplines
creator: Dr Aneel Salman
creator: Muneeb Shah Shah
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 The Beacon Journal
date: 2026-07-16
publication date: 2026-07-16

From Sea to Soil: Inland Impacts of Maritime Piracy and Arms Trafficking on East Africa
type: item
description: Maritime piracy and illicit arms trafficking in the Gulf of Aden (GOA) are often addressed as maritime security issues, but their implications have far-reaching inland impacts on the governance, political stability, and security dynamics. This article sets out to examine how these sea-based criminal activities shift and become agents of mainland insecurity within the East African region. Using Regional Security Complex Theory (RSC) and Securitisation Theory, this research explores the processes through which piracy and arms trafficking penetrate regional security, escalate local conflicts, and impact political, social, and economic instability. It highlights the sources and trade routes of illicit arms flow in the East African region. The analysis demonstrates that arms trafficked across the sea are frequently deployed to land-based insurgent groups, with the ransom of pirates funding criminal and political groups in war-torn, unstable East African nations. Knowing the relationship between sea and land security, this paper suggests a more unified method of regional security that focusses on coastal and inshore vulnerabilities.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Maritime Piracy, East Africa, Security, Securitization Theory, RCT.
  topic: keywords
creator: Saniya Ishaq
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 The Beacon Journal
date: 2025-12-30
publication date: 2025-12-30

Impact of Melting Arctic Routes on the ASEAN Blue Economy: Climate Change and Regional Security Challenges. (2025-2035)
type: item
description: As a result of climate change, a new shipping route has been discovered, offering a more efficient transit between Europe and Asia. It is possible due to the melting of Arctic Sea ice. On the contrary, these new global trade routes are prone to improving the trade system, but the ASEAN nations will face a serious issue. The ASEAN nations are dependent upon the maritime points, for example, the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca. Diminished maritime traffic could potentially impact port activity, transit income, and maritime activities. ASEAN’s blue economy is based on ocean resources for development, livelihoods, and other environmental preservation, which is in jeopardy due to these changes. An ASEAN nation’s important sector for economic growth is based on maritime tourism and fisheries. It could be negatively impacted by a decrease in vessel traffic and an increase in environmental degradation due to the climatic changes in the Arctic region. As sea level rises as a result of polar ice melting, coastal regions are more prone to floods and ecosystem destruction. Moreover, the security challenges posed by China and Russia, which are increasing their military and geopolitical struggle, are creating regional security challenges as well; they are challenging the maritime sovereignty of ASEAN. It could undermine the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). A multi-faceted response, strategic development of ASEAN, active engagement in the global climate, a balanced approach to economic development, and environmentally friendly and sustainable opportunities with the geopolitical vision can help ASEAN to protect its maritime future in a world.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: ASEAN, Arctic Sea, Blue Economy, Climate Change
  topic: keywords
creator: Rabya Safdar
creator: Wania Waseem
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 The Beacon Journal
date: 2025-12-30
publication date: 2025-12-30

Kautilyan Geopolitics and India’s Extended Neighborhood Policy: A Case of Persian
type: item
description: This paper is aimed at examining India’s foreign policy orientation towards the Persian Gulf within the framework of Kautilya’s Mandala theory from Arthashastra. By doing this the study highlighted the development of alliances and spheres of influence within the parameters of conventional realpolitik. India’s Look East policy received wide attention from analysts. But India’s ‘Look West Policy’, specifically focusing on its approach towards the Persian Gulf Region within the conventional strategic framework, lacked the due attention. New Delhi is aimed at forging a close partnership with Riyadh while at the same time balancing its traditional closeness with Tehran. This strategic objective is based on the Kautaliyan principle of ‘skilful manoeuvring’ between several ‘circles’ of states. This paper analysed the impacts of great power rivalry and emerging trends in energy security on the varying patterns of Indo-Gulf interactions. The main argument is that India’s Look West/Act West approach is not only a reaction to various regional and global developments but is also deeply rooted in traditional political philosophy, which has historically informed strategic discussions within Indian policy circles. This assertion is supported by multiple public statements, diplomatic communications, trade statistics, and strategic alliances. Reassessment of Kautilya's concept provides a unique cultural perspective. This offers a deeper insight into India's engagements with the Persian Gulf.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Mandala Theory, Kautilya, Extended Neighbourhood, Look-West Policy, and India-Gulf Relations.
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr. Asia Karim
creator: Nusrat Karim
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 The Beacon Journal
date: 2025-12-30
publication date: 2025-12-30

Countering Connectivity: US Response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative
type: item
description: This paper examines how China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is reshaping geopolitical arrangements in South Asia and critically analyses the strategic countermeasures undertaken by the US in response to China’s presence in the region. The paper takes a qualitative case-based approach to comparative analysis of the China-US interactions in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The sources of data are official policy documents, think-tank reports, and local media, which are interpreted in terms of document and discourse analysis. The BRI has enabled China to become a strategic powerhouse through its extensive infrastructure, IT corridors, and maritime presence. Counter-initiatives by the US, including B3W, PGII, and the Quad, are poorly disseminated and funded. Nevertheless, they also pointed to a changing strategic stance that involves turning to digital infrastructures, climate-aware investments, and partnerships to enhance sovereignty. The current research contributes to the discourse on connectivity geopolitics by offering a modern review of the US-China rivalry in South Asia. It provides a policy-relevant background for US efforts to enhance the region’s influence by offering multilateral, region-specific, and sustainable options to the BRI.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: BRI, China, US, South Asia, Strategic Competition.
  topic: keywords
creator: Yasir Ali
creator: Dr. Shaista Tabassum
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 The Beacon Journal
date: 2025-12-30
publication date: 2025-12-30

Mapping Media Bias: Global Islamophobic Trends and their Reflections in South Asia
type: item
description: Islamophobia in the mass media is not a new phenomenon; however, this issue detonated across all media platforms following the events of 9/11. Since then, the majority of Western media outlets have continued to present a constructed stereotypical identity for all Muslims without regard to the diversity of the Muslim world, including different origins, outlooks, and aspirations. The Indian leadership perpetuates the Hindutva ideology, reflecting the same trend in South Asia. Media discourse on Islam reflects a repetitive pattern of rhetoric, all centred on the idea of Muslims as violent, primitive beings devoid of individual thoughts. This type of media coverage, focused mostly on elements of conflict and discord, is akin to war/violence journalism. In contrast, peace journalism uses insights gained from the perspective of common men and focuses on balance, fairness and accuracy. Through a discourse analysis, this paper ascertains that the prevalent Islamophobic trends in mass media at the global and South Asian levels fall under the ambit of war journalism, whereas peace journalism offers alternative means of media representation for Muslims focused on inclusion, fairness, and accuracy.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Islamophobia, Hindutva, Media Bias, Perceptions, South Asia, War-Peace Journalism.
  topic: keywords
creator: Nidaa Shahid
creator: Dr Bilal Ghazanfar
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 The Beacon Journal
date: 2025-12-30
publication date: 2025-12-30

Impacts of Climate Change on Human Security in Pakistan
type: item
description: Human security has emerged as a non-traditional security threat (NTS). Developing countries like Pakistan are confronting this issue. According to the UN, human security is a concept that enables nations to address issues that undermine human life, sources of income, and the dignity of populations, regardless of the realist perspective of state and military power. One of the most critical (NTS) threats is climate change, which is manifested through ongoing temperature increases and irregular patterns of rainfall, as well as existing environmental issues like droughts, floods, glacier melting, and worsening environmental pollution. This research examines the relationships between climate change and human security in Pakistan from 2018 to 2022. This study reveals that climate-induced phenomena have significantly undermined the various dimensions of human security, e.g., economic security, food and water accessibility, public health, and community stability. For example, smog, a product of environmental pollution, appears in the form of thick, hazy air in several cities like Lahore (Pakistan), causing high respiratory ailments, reduced economic productivity, intermittent lockdowns, and the suspension of educational and business activities. Therefore, this study examines the combined effects of climate change that heighten the risks of marginalisation and pose a challenge to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 13). In this research, an attempt is made to advocate for the implementation of comprehensive strategies to address the impacts of climate change, as well as the development of policies based on factual evidence during the period of 2018-2022.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Impacts of Climate Change on Human Security in Pakistan
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr Shabnam Gul
creator: Ehsan Ahmed Khan
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 The Beacon Journal
date: 2025-12-30
publication date: 2025-12-30

German Indo-Pacific Vision: Pakistan as a Strategic Hub
type: item
description: The post-Cold War international system has entered a turbulent phase, with states confronting an increasing number of political, economic, and security pressures. Uncertainty has intensified since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, much like a storm brewing to cause international uncertainty. Here, Germany has sought to uphold the principles of multilateralism, a rule-based international order, and collaboration. The above principles have, in recent years, been integrated into mechanisms aimed at balancing policymaking based on the determination of interests with limited resources, to ensure efficiency in the face of increasing global pressures. Similarly, Pakistan has also responded to shifting geopolitical dynamics by formulating a national policy initiative, as evidenced by the development of a national policy framework in 2022. By adopting a qualitative approach, this paper critically analyses the guiding principles of Germany and the Republic of Pakistan and limits the field of actions in economic and trade-related areas, where the cooperation activities are mainly bound, as the major sources of cooperation. The results indicate that the coordinated efforts that can supersede sectoralism and the project-based approach can lead to the realisation of a comprehensive development due to the importance of the connection with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the emerging blue economy. The strengthening of the German-Pakistani collaboration in this regard would also stabilise their rather long-term collaboration and empower both sides to address future storms in the geopolitical context better armed, and help bring mutual prosperity and security.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: German Indo-Pacific Vision, Pakistan, Multilateralism, Blue Economy, Geopolitical Dynamics.
  topic: keywords
creator: Cyrus Reinhold Otto Roӱeck
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 The Beacon Journal
date: 2025-12-30
publication date: 2025-12-30

AI Militarization in the Seas: Beyond the Stopping Power of the Sea
type: item
description: In an era dominated by technological advancements, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a pivotal element for nations seeking to assert influence on the global stage. Mearsheimer's idea of the stopping power of water asserts that oceans are pivotal enablers of wealth and power. The study explores how nations strategically cultivate AI technology to enhance global influence. This research examines oceans as the next frontier of competition, with particular emphasis on the high seas as valuable arenas for power projection. AI-based unmanned vehicles and advanced technologies are identified as key facilitators for easy access to these high seas, contributing to an escalating power struggle between the US and China. The study scrutinises extravagant claims and freedom of navigation operations as manifestations of this competition. This research employs a qualitative research method to provide analysis using Mearsheimer’s analysis directed at the limitations of international laws in effectively addressing the challenges posed by AI-based vehicles in open waters. Lastly, the research underscores a prevailing power vacuum in the high seas, highlighting how major powers employ AI technology to assert dominance, reshaping the landscape of global maritime geopolitics.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: AI-Militarization, High Seas, US-China, Offensive Realism, Power Competition
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr. Shireen Mushtaq
creator: Shahtaj
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 The Beacon Journal
date: 2025-12-30
publication date: 2025-12-30

Book Review: 88 Days to Kandahar; A CIA Diary by Robert Grenier
type: item
description: This book is holding a tremendous amount of inside knowledge of how CIA operatives work, plan and negotiate in clandestine operations. From secret meetings to intelligence based operational preparedness, coding and de coding of intelligence intercepts and maneuvering through double cross in a real war time scenario; this book provides a detailed account on various aspects of CIA's way of war. Robert Grenier, a former CIA Station Chief, has authored a great piece of information in this book. He is one of the key architect of US clandestine intelligence activities in Pakistan and Afghanistan after 9/11 incident. The book gives a mature perspective on initiation of Afghan war and post 9/11 secret meetings of Taliban representatives and CIA officials.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: the subversive
  topic: keywords
subject: Robert Grenier
  topic: keywords
creator: Abdul Ghaffar
rights: Copyright (c) 2021 The Beacon Journal
date: 2021-01-01
publication date: 2021-01-01

Strategic Maritime Environment in Indian Ocean: Challenges and Opportunities for Pakistan
type: item
description: This article examines various dynamics of strategic maritime environment in Indian Ocean and then describes its relevance with respect to Pakistan. Indian Ocean has become pivotal zone of strategic rivalries and cooperation. The confluence of various regional and extra-regional actors is complicating geo- political and geo-strategic environment of Indian Ocean. It has ramifications for Pakistan. This article aims at examining the challenges as well as opportunities for Pakistan emerging in the complex strategic milieu in Indian Ocean. This would help to suggest various policy recommendations which may be used to make an all-encompassing maritime strategy for Pakistan by the policy makers. The article aims to analyse the strategic maritime environment of IOR through the lens of Neo-realism. It makes evident that the Indian Ocean's changing geo- political and geo-strategic environment requires Pakistan to formulate a holistic Indian Ocean policy in order to meet the challenges and to avail the opportunities.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Strategic Environment, Structural Realism, Sino-Indian rivalry, Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), BRI (Belt and Road Initiative), CPEC (China- Pakistan Economic Corridor).
  topic: keywords
creator: Safia Mansoor
rights: Copyright (c) 2021 The Beacon Journal
date: 2021-01-01
publication date: 2021-01-01

Managing Leadership Challenges: A Comparative Study Between Confucius and Iqbal's Leadership Philosophy in Backdrop of CPEC
type: item
description: The progressive globalization presents numerous challenges of ethics and leadership performance by confronting organizations with complex and interdependent issues. With the initiation of CPEC, the realization of understanding the cross-culture, leadership, and management philosophies and practices emerged as one of the bottlenecks for the project team. This research paper is an attempt to analyse CPEC scenario in order to explore whether or not the Chinese thinking of Confucianism and Iqbal led Philosophy have shaped the development of leadership styles in China and Pakistan, respectively. This study not only explains and highlights different traits of leadership under a complex cross-cultural environment but also identifies the factors that determine a leader's principal style to address the challenges of today's leadership. It also examines the extent to which the mix of both traditional philosophies of Confucius and Iqbal will be successful to overcome the present and future leadership challenges.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Management, Cross-cultural leadership, Iqbal leadership philosophy, Confucius leadership, Junzi, China Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC), Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
  topic: keywords
creator: Hassan Daud Butt
creator: KPK Board of Investment and Trade
rights: Copyright (c) 2021 The Beacon Journal
date: 2021-01-01
publication date: 2021-01-01

Balance of Power Politics and China's Role as Strategic Balancer in South Asia
type: item
description: This study has an objective to have a theoretical insight about Chinese maneuverings in South Asia. This paper will analyze whether it is going to change regional power equilibrium and what will be its influence on international relations. The scope of this study is to highlight the importance of South Asia on geo-political map and to discuss the interests and role of China in this region. It primarily focuses on the issues of peace and security as well as political and strategic milieu of South Asia. This paper presents new paradigm of Chinese military coalitions with regional states. In conclusion, it presents the depiction of future politics and power equation in the competitive ambiance of South Asia. This strategic competition will be analyzed keeping in view China's efforts to neutralize Indian aggressive intentions having bonds with other states of the region.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Power Politics, Balance Of Power, Balance Of Threat, Bandwagoning, Alliances, China
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr Asif Farooq
creator: Sanwal Hussain Kharl
rights: Copyright (c) 2021 The Beacon Journal
date: 2021-01-01
publication date: 2021-01-01

Role of Internal Security of India in Shaping Its Strategic Culture: Policy Options for Pakistan
type: item
description: The concept of strategic culture has a relative interpretation in strategic and academic community. Indian strategic culture in general and its interplay with internal security in particular is a less worked out area of research. This paper explains how internal security challenges of India are shaping its strategic culture towards Pakistan. It includes contextualizing the concept of strategic culture, modelling the Indian strategic culture with respect to scope of research, determining the interplay of strategic culture and internal security of India and identifying its impact on Pakistan. Finally, the paper proposes policy options and action points for Pakistan. The paper establishes three fundamental aspects. First, the Indian strategic thoughts by and large, stems from Kautilya's thoughts. Second, the grand strategic thinking of India has a consistent element of linking insurgences with Pakistan. Third, with the rise of Hindutva through BJP and India favouring geostrategic environment, India has resorted to offensive – defensive strategy towards Pakistan. In light of these three aspects, the paper finally presents policy options for Pakistan while taking into account its national interests.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Strategic Culture, Narendra Modi, Insurgencies, Pakistan, Security, Hindutva.
  topic: keywords
creator: Cdr Tassawar Aziz Malik TI(M) PN
rights: Copyright (c) 2021 The Beacon Journal
date: 2021-01-01
publication date: 2021-01-01

France Ingress in Indo-Pacific Region: Options for Pakistan
type: item
description: The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a pivot for a strategic competition among the Great Powers since the dawn of twenty-first century. The shift in American ideational leadership and rise of China provided a strategic space for France which is a mid-size global power in Europe and global politics. France enjoys a significant position in the Indo-Pacific due to its colonial past and overseas territories in Indian and Pacific Ocean. Its Indo-Pacific strategy aimed to maximize its role in the region when United States is crafting new institutional architecture while bypassing its European partners. French involvement in the region draws attention to the fact that mini-lateralism is not a solution for the complex problems of the region. Besides, Pakistan being an Indian Ocean littoral state, cannot ignore the geo-economic and geopolitical developments in the region. That is why Pakistan is aspiring to shift from geo strategy to geo-economics as the region offers colossal opportunities to promote Blue Economy in Pakistan.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: FRANCE INGRESS IN INDO-PACIFIC REGION: OPTIONS FOR PAKISTAN
  topic: keywords
creator: Zafar Nawaz Jaspal
creator: Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
rights: Copyright (c) 2021 The Beacon Journal
date: 2021-01-01
publication date: 2021-01-01

Maritime Trade: Comparing Pakistan with Maritime Neighbours
type: item
description: Economic and development strategy in Pakistan has not been up to the standard deemed as prerequisite of any nation that tends to develop rapidly. Inland, offshore, and ocean resources are not exploited as they should have been. This is primarily due to lack of consistency in the development policies, inflation, unemployment, and most importantly, persisting trouble in the balance of trade and payments. The maritime sector, in this regard, has been a quarry for carelessness and years of neglect. While the shipping industry is way off target, fisheries have become the only coastal resource being exploited out at sea. Maritime vulnerabilities are growing, giving rise to a consistent decline in trade and tariffs, and to gauge Pakistan's economy, the economic viability of this sector is further becoming limited. This article focuses on the state of Pakistan's maritime trade and compares it with Pakistan's maritime neighbours, i.e., India, Iran, and Oman.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: MARITIME TRADE: COMPARING PAKISTAN WITH MARITIME NEIGHBOURS
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr. Sajid Mehmood Shahzad
rights: Copyright (c) 2021 The Beacon Journal
date: 2021-01-01
publication date: 2021-01-01

The Realist Paradigm and Regional Security Dynamics in South Asia
type: item
description: Power politics is no historical accident. According to Morgenthau it is a 'human fact' or 'logical necessity.' Power politics is always explored with in the forces of power reality and morality in order to discern each other. Realists' assumptions about the global affairs are practical implantation of what power politics is. However, power accumulation is the key interest among the power groups in South Asia resulting in sustained anarchic environment. During the past centuries, the South Asian region has witnessed the ascendancy and decadency of multi-civilizational great empires. Various areas have been ruled by different power-groups and ethnic entities under varying socio-religious characteristics, fighting for their survival and supremacy. It has witnessed shift from the most dominating monarchies to the ascendance of imperial powers and the creation of non-state actors. Power politics and anarchy has been traced out as a persistent indicator in the South Asian politics raising security concerns.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: South Asia, Realism, Security, Power, Anarchy, Politics
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr. Marium Kamal
rights: Copyright (c) 2021 The Beacon Journal
date: 2021-01-01
publication date: 2021-01-01

Pakistan's Geopolitical Challenges and Opportunities in the Neighbourhood
type: item
description: Three interrelated concepts of geography, geo-politics and geo-strategy exert direct influence on shaping a state's geopolitical environment, attendant challenges and opportunities. Pakistan has had to deal with two difficult neighbours and role of major powers while enhancing its geopolitical space in the region and beyond. It essentially requires deciphering influence of geography and geopolitics on Pakistan geo-strategy in a difficult neighbourhood. Meanwhile, new trends in regional and global geopolitics also impact the way Pakistan respond. This paper analyses contours of Pakistan's geopolitical environment, impact of geography, and course of its engagement with neighbours and the great-powers particularly the United States, during and after the Cold War. It also assesses opportunities available to Pakistan, as it seeks to pivot from geopolitics to geo-economics by linking up with new trade routes and deepening economic cooperation to meet growing needs of energy and markets for economic growth. Here too, geography and geo-politics will shape extent of Pakistan's geo-economic success.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Geopolitics, Geography, Pakistan, Neighbours, Geo-Economics
  topic: keywords
creator: Muhammad Faisal
creator: Mubeen Jafar Mir
rights: Copyright (c) 2021 The Beacon Journal
date: 2021-01-01
publication date: 2021-01-01

The Challenge of Water Management in Central Asia: A Case Study of Aral Sea
type: item
description: Aral Sea, which was called as world's fourth freshwater lake has transformed into a manmade disaster since 1960. This happened due to the waters of Amu and Syr rivers, which were a source of supply of water to the Aral Sea, stopped reaching the Sea. Consequently, Aral Sea began to diminish and by 1991 it had lost more than fifty percent of its area. The marginalization of Aral Sea not only led to widespread environmental disaster but also curtailed the flow of fresh water for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the two Central Asian states sharing the waters of Aral Sea. Fishing, flora and fauna also began to diminish with the loss of water from the Aral Sea. This paper will discuss how the Central Asian states, regardless of numerous contentious issues, succeeded in precluding water conflicts in Central Asia which could have destabilized regional peace and security. When the Soviet Central Asian Republics got independence in 1991, there was a strong opinion in some circles that the region would plunge into inter and intra-state territorial, ethnic, lingual and water conflicts.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: THE CHALLENGE OF WATER MANAGEMENT IN CENTRAL ASIA: A CASE STUDY OF ARAL SEA
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr. Moonis Ahmar
rights: Copyright (c) 2021 The Beacon Journal
date: 2021-01-01
publication date: 2021-01-01

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) For National Security: A Counter Terrorism Approach in Pakistan
type: item
description: OSINT is intelligence gathered from publicly available information. The significance of OSINT takes up due to frequent internet usage. Worldwide connectivity through social media has also revealed unprecedented challenges to existing intelligence organizations/ LEAs. In this context, developed countries established dedicated OSINT centers. However, debates on its reliability and efficacy are still persistent. Research analyzes the efficacy of OSINT to meet national security requirements. It is qualitative with an action research approach tapping into analyse the quality of data. The essential rationale of OSINT for national security with a perspective of counter-terrorism is the product of this study. OSINT application is validated on 4P CONTEST - counter-terrorism model of UK. Opportunities for Pakistan have been highlighted considering the advantages and disadvantages of OSINT tools and methods. Research revealed that, globally OSINT is a new term and lacks an agreed-upon definition. However, the field is highly understudied in Pakistan; there is no local literature available. The paper concludes by highlighting a need for dedicated OSINT organizations.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: National Security, Counter Terrorism, OSINT, Data Mining
  topic: keywords
creator: Lt Cdr Tanveer Rafique
rights: Copyright (c) 2022 The Beacon Journal
date: 2022-01-03
publication date: 2022-01-03