The strategic landscape has been evolving at a rapid pace particularly since the US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2020. The events which have taken place since then cannot be replicated at any other time.

First, it was Russia’s attack on Ukraine on 24 February 2022, perhaps to preempt Ukrainian joining of NATO. Russia had long been saying that Ukraine is its red line, and it will not let the country join NATO under any circumstances. The war continues and has entered its fifth year and during this period Russia has captured some 27 per cent of the Ukrainian territory in the Donbas region. Soon after President Trump’s take over in January 2025, it was hoped that the war might stop, however, it has getting uglier since the beginning of 2026, as Ukraine has been getting military support it needed to target Russian energy targets. The drone warfare between the two European neighbours has intensified in the last couple of months and the casualty rate has intensified on both sides.

Then it was Israeli attacks on Gaza on October 7, 2023. Israel unleashed one of the deadliest military attacks on the civilians in Gaza killing thousands of innocent non-combatants including women and children. Israelis attacked hospitals, schools, and the population centres to simply kill any and every Palestinian. Again, the ceasefire depended on President Trump’s promises during his election campaign with the Muslim voters, and he did make........

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