Journal of Peace and Diplomacy

Analyzing U.S.-India Military and Non-Military Agreements: Regional Implications for Pakistan and China

Musavir Hameed, Sana Ullah, Harsa — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

South Asia is on the brink of a renewed arms race, as major and regional powers seek to assert their strategic influence in the region. The United States and China are engaged in a broader geopolitical rivalry, supporting India and Pakistan respectively to counter each other’s regional dominance. The United States, as the sole superpower following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, views the rise of China as a significant threat to its hegemony. In response, it is vigorously supporting India across multiple domains to contain China’s influence. The strategic partnership between India and the United States has intensified the arms race in South Asia. As part of this alliance, several key defense agreements have been signed, including the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), which enables India to receive advanced communication technologies, and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), through which India gains access to data from over four thousand U.S. satellites. Additionally, the United States has facilitated the transfer of drone technology and granted a waiver for India’s acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system. These developments have increased the strategic vulnerability of both Pakistan and China. Beyond military cooperation, India’s growing partnership with the United States also extends to high-technology collaboration and coordination within regional and international organizations, further complicating the strategic environment for Pakistan and China. In response, Pakistan is exploring alternative strategies to counterbalance India's enhanced capabilities. This research examines the potential implications of the expanding Indo-U.S. strategic partnership on the security and defense of Pakistan and China and to propose policy options to mitigate the emerging threats.

Sino-Indian Strategic Competition in the Persian Gulf Region

Irfan Maqbool, Khalid Mahmood Awan, Mamoona Altaf , Maria Naheed — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The strategic competition between China and India in the Persian Gulf region is driven by their growing energy needs, economic interests, and ambitions to expand their geopolitical influence. The Persian Gulf’s significance as a major source of oil and gas has made it a focal point for both countries’ foreign policies. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has helped it establish a strong economic foothold through large-scale infrastructure investments and strategic partnerships, particularly with Iran. Meanwhile, India’s “Link West” policy has deepened its engagement with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, strengthening its economic and defense ties. The rivalry has extended from economic to military domains, with both countries seeking to secure their strategic interests and expand their regional presence. This competition also attracts the attention of external powers, including the United States and Russia, further complicating the Gulf’s security landscape. For Gulf States, the growing rivalry presents both opportunities and risks. While engaging with both China and India offers avenues for economic diversification and strategic partnerships, it could also lead to increased regional polarization and destabilization. This article outlines the dynamics of the Sino-Indian strategic competition in the Persian Gulf, its impact on regional stability, and the evolving geopolitical environment as both powers continue to expand their influence in this critical region.

North-South or South-South? Global Development Initiative and Middle Eastern Countries’ Development Strategies: A Study of Synergistic Pathways

Juan Ma, Run Ma, Yuting Ma — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Global Development Initiative (GDI), proposed by China in the context of the profound changes in the global governance system and the compounded impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, represents a significant international public good. It aims to promote sustainable development, narrow development gaps, and enhance the self-reliance of developing countries. At present, the Middle East is grappling with interrelated challenges of development, peace, and governance deficits. Intensifying geopolitical rivalries, sluggish economic recovery, limited industrial diversification, and uneven development collectively constrain regional stability and growth. Focusing on key areas such as poverty alleviation, food security, green transformation, and the digital economy, the GDI aligns closely with the strategic priorities of Middle Eastern countries seeking economic diversification and sustainable development. The strong economic complementarity between China and Arab states provides a solid foundation for joint efforts to advance the GDI, with the potential to transform development dividends into drivers of peace, promote regional connectivity, and foster long-term stability. This paper systematically analyzes the alignment between the GDI and development strategies in Middle Eastern countries in terms of policy frameworks, industrial cooperation, and technological innovation. It summarizes prevailing cooperation models and emerging trends, and offers policy recommendations, including strengthening policy coordination, deepening innovation-driven collaboration, and enhancing regional cooperation mechanisms, to support the effective and high-quality implementation of the GDI in the Middle East.

Smart Power Dynamics in Pakistan's Counterterrorism Landscape

Sobia Khursheed — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Pakistan’s struggle with counterterrorism has been an extended and sophisticated battle, spanning decades of multifaceted, precise, and calculated tactical strategy, yielding both undeniable success and persistent challenges. This study explores the evolution of Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategies, examining the effectiveness of hard power/military operations approaches in dismantling hardcore terrorist organizations and assessing the limitations of soft power diplomacy in shaping international perception and nation branding. This paper examines the smart power dynamics at play in Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts. It examines the interplay between military operations, intelligence activities, diplomatic initiatives, and socio-economic development programs aimed at countering extremist ideologies and eradicating terrorist networks. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how smart power tactics can be used in complex geopolitical environments to address the root causes of extremism, foster regional cooperation, and enhance societal resilience against radicalization. It offers recommendations for enhancing Pakistan's smart power capabilities to address the root causes of extremism and improve its national security framework more comprehensively.

Gender, Power, and Populism: Feminist Critique of Populist Leadership in Argentina, the U.S., and India

Fatima Carolina Funes, Devrim Eren — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In recent decades, the rise of right-wing populism has transformed the global political landscape, challenging traditional democratic structures and international norms on human rights and gender equality. This research examines three populist leaders: Javier Milei, Donald Trump and Narendra Modi instrumentalize gender narratives to consolidate power, eroding the rights of women and queer communities. Through a feminist and intersectional theoretical framework, it analyses their anti-gender rhetoric, regressive policies, and performances of masculinity, highlighting their impact on global governance. The case studies reveal transnational patterns and the resilience of feminist resistance movements. The study employs a theoretical framework that integrates feminist International Relations theories, critical gender studies, and populism research

Democracy, Technology, and Electoral Violence in Africa: Lessons from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya

Testimony Omole, Daniel Enock Manoba, Obasesam Okoi — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Election-related violence has become a persistent challenge across the African continent, frequently occurring in the aftermath of elections when dissatisfied citizens protest against perceived electoral fraud. Often, these protests escalate into violent conflicts. In response to demands for more credible and transparent elections, many African governments have integrated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into their electoral processes to reduce irregularities and enhance election integrity. This study investigates the impact of ICT adoption on the stability of African states, with a particular focus on Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. The findings indicate that, despite ICT integration, electoral irregularities and subsequent violent protests persist. The findings suggest that while ICT has contributed to the electoral process, it alone is insufficient to efficiently address the underlying issues of electoral fraud. The study advocates for a comprehensive approach to electoral reform, emphasizing the need for improvements across various facets of the electoral system, including managerial, monitoring, and oversight mechanisms.