War without war: Pakistan’s security in hybrid age

2026-02-21 - 21:03

FOR over four decades in military service and intelligence assignments, I witnessed conflict in its rawest and most complex forms, from the Soviet–Afghan War to the protracted campaigns that followed the September 11 attacks. These wars were not fought merely for territory or tactical advantage; they were contests of ideology, shifting alliances and strategic positioning in an evolving global order. The Afghan war theatre demonstrated that modern conflict is rarely confined to the battlefield. Allies cooperated against a common adversary while simultaneously shaping