The Journal of Aerospace & Security Studies (JASS) is an annual, peer-reviewed scholarly publication advancing strategic thinking at the nexus of technology, security, and policy. As the flagship publication project of the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) Islamabad, JASS delivers a high-impact platform forrigorous, future-facing research and follows a robust double-blind peer review policy. Its primary focus spans aerospace and emerging technologies, security and defence strategies, and cyber and space security, while also engaging critically with international relations and political economy. The Journal is published in both print and digital formats (ISSN 2790-7139; eISSN 2958-082X) once a year and aims to shape informed debate, influence policy discourse, and set the benchmark for innovation-led AeroSec scholarship.
Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Islamabad
© 2025 Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) Islamabad. This work is published by the Journal of Aerospace & Security Studies (JASS) and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license allows unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are properly credited.
The Geopolitics of Space Colonization: Future Power Relations in the Inner Solar System
Bohumil Doboš, The Geopolitics of Space Colonization: Future Power Relations in the Inner Solar System (New York: Routledge Publishing, 2024)
Copyright (c) 2024 Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) Islamabad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Origins of Victory: How Disruptive Military Innovation Determines the Fates of Great Powers
Andrew F. Krepinevich, The Origins of Victory: How Disruptive Military Innovation Determines the Fates of Great Powers (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2023).
Weapons in Space: Technology, Politics, and the Rise and Fall of the Strategic Defence Initiative
Aaron Bateman, Weapons in Space: Technology, Politics, and the Rise and Fall of the Strategic Defence Initiative (The MIT Press, May 2024)
The Women Behind the Few: The Women’s Auxiliary Airforce and British Intelligence during the Second World War
Sara Louise Miller, The Women Behind the Few: The Women’s Auxiliary Airforce and British Intelligence during the Second World War (London: Biteback Publishing, 2023)
The Space Economy: Capitalise on the Greatest Business Opportunity of Our Lifetime
Chad Anderson, The Space Economy: Capitalise on the Greatest Business Opportunity of Our Lifetime (Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2023).
Distributed Solar Energy Generation in Pakistan: Potential, Barriers and Policy Recommendations
Pakistan’s energy generation mix remains heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, contributing to current account deficit and fiscal pressures, high circular debt in the energy sector, and inflationary pressures for the population. Pakistan is endowed with tremendous solar energy potential that can be proactively capitalised to reduce reliance on foreign energy supply to meet domestic energy needs. Distributed solar energy generation is a promising means of exploiting this tremendous potential. However, its growth pace in Pakistan, notwithstanding the increase over recent years, is still considered unsatisfactory compared to the country’s solar power generation potential. Given this, the present research sought to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the adoption and diffusion of distributed solar energy generation in Pakistan. The viability of developing a thriving distributed solar energy generation market will be contingent on addressing the weaknesses while proactively opportunities and mitigating threats.
5G Geopolitics: Securitisation, Sino-US Contention and Technological Dependence for Developing States
This paper provides a nuanced perspective on the interplay between security, geopolitics, and economic pragmatism in the global 5G domain. It examines the origins and dynamics of the diplomatic pressure campaign led by the United States against Chinese telecommunications companies since 2018. Using a qualitative methodology and Securitisation Theory, the study analyses how US policymakers and academics have framed Chinese telcos as national security threats. The study also explores the broader implications of Sino-US tensions over 5G. The findings reveal that securitising Chinese telcos, notably Huawei, has been a strategic move to curtail their expanding global influence. However, state responses to this campaign have been shaped by differing geopolitical and economic considerations. While most US allies have distanced themselves from Chinese telcos, many developing states, such as those in Africa and South Asia, have continued to embrace them due to their strong economic, political, and technological ties with China.
Technological Sovereignty of Great Powers: A Case Study of China
The traditional focus on geopolitics is shifting toward a geoeconomic paradigm, where emerging technologies are increasingly viewed as central to the dynamics of great power politics. States are pursuing technological sovereignty as a policy choice to achieve self-reliance and sovereign control over critical technologies, aiming to maximise their autonomy and influence in a competitive international landscape. This paper examines China’s approach to technological sovereignty by analysing key government initiatives, like ‘Science & Technology in China: A Roadmap to 2050’, ‘Digital Silk Road’, and ‘Made in China 2025’ and the role of Chinese big tech corporations. Due consideration has also been accorded to the multifaceted impacts of China’s technological sovereignty on global power politics, with special focus on the intensifying Sino-US tech war. Lastly, it evaluates the rapid transitions that may unfold on a global scale as a result of these developments.
Quantum Takeoff: Applications in the Aviation Sector
At the intersection of advanced computer science and quantum physics, Quantum Computing has emerged as one of the most compelling technological frontiers of the 21st Century. Among the industries poised to benefit significantly, the aviation sector stands out as a key area where this transformative technology can drive substantial advancements. The findings of this research reveal several noteworthy applications of quantum computing in the aviation industry, including aircraft design, flight trajectory optimisation, navigation, schedule maintenance, and secure network management. Integrating this technology could bring numerous benefits to the aviation sector, enhancing operational efficiency, resource utilisation, and overall productivity. However, these advantages are contingent on overcoming existing challenges. As a developing country, Pakistan must also begin investing in efforts and resources to adopt quantum computing in its aviation sector, ensuring its readiness to leverage this transformative technology in the future.
Neural Frontlines: Exploring Future Battlefield amid Rise of Neurowarfare
Advancement in neurotechnologies has led policymakers to rethink the role of human cognition in modern warfare. As neuroscience unravels the intricate facets of the cognitive puzzle, human cognition has become the centerpiece of the technological revolution. The potential of these technologies to enhance, target, and weaponise the human brain places them at the heart of modern warfare. The United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and China’s Central Military Commission have poured sizable funds and resources into harnessing the untapped potential of these technologies for military purposes. This study examines the strategic and doctrinal implications of deploying neurotechnologies for military purposes. It highlights the challenges posed by neurowarfare, including legal ambiguities, ethical dilemmas, and moral concerns, which demand urgent attention. The study underscores the necessity of establishing robust regulatory frameworks to mitigate potential risks and unintended consequences associated with the militarisation of neurotechnologies.
Tao Wang, Making Sense of China’s Economy (Abingdon: Routledge, 2023).
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Walter Isaacson, Elon Musk (Simon & Schuster, 2023).
Algorithms for the People: Democracy in the Age of AI
Josh Simons, Algorithms for the People: Democracy in the Age of AI (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2023).
Shadows and Echoes: Co-Dependence of Media and Government in the Struggle for Power
Political bias in the media has become a persistent age-old phenomenon. The far-reaching effects of such bias are profound, influencing societal progress and governance. The absence of a truly non-partisan media allows individuals to amass disproportionate power, manipulating public opinion irrespective of ground realities. This lack of media impartiality fosters public mistrust, exacerbating political divisions based on affiliations. Social cohesion, vital for national progress, is hindered as civil discourse gives way to divisive rhetoric. This paper aims to critically analyse the role of media manipulation, state intervention in media control, and the objectives they pursue. Emphasis is placed on the micro-level manipulation of news stories and its impact on the broader sociopolitical landscape. The investigation is situated within the context of the political climate in Pakistan, examining the ongoing struggle for narrative control between the state and the media. The intertwined relationship between these entities is scrutinised, revealing how they leverage power for personal and political gains while shaping the collective understanding of crucial issues.
India’s Missile Defence Systems: Impact on Regional Strategic Stability
India’s ongoing development and procurement of Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems are part of its broader strategy to modernise its nuclear and conventional military capabilities. In response, the country is enhancing its nuclear arsenal and delivery mechanisms, both in scale and sophistication. This effort is not merely a reaction to India’s ABM advancements but also a proactive measure to maintain the credibility and effectiveness of its nuclear deterrent. Pakistan’s approach involves upgrading its ballistic and cruise missile inventories and investing in a range of cost-effective and technologically advanced countermeasures. These measures are designed not only to counterbalance the emerging ABM threat but also to mitigate the risks of escalation, contributing to long-term peace and stability in South Asia. By focusing on strategic adaptability and technological innovation, Pakistan plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced power dynamic and promoting a stable security environment in the region.
Conceptualising Counter-Drone Systems: A New Arms Race in South Asia
In contemporary times, drones have evolved into an essential tool of modern warfare and a rapidly growing element of airpower. Drones of varying sizes, speed, types, and capabilities are being used by modern militaries for a variety of roles. The manifestation of novel concepts like ‘Loyal Wingman’ and ‘Swarming’ has further added to their lethality. Hence, defending against such credible threats has become a complex as well as daunting task for the militaries of this era. This raises the need for appropriate air defence systems to detect and, if required, bring down unauthorised drones. Their massive proliferation in both civil and security domains, as well as existing gaps in aerial defence systems, are the fundamental drivers of the tremendous development of the market for counter drone systems. This paper aims at conceptualising modern counter-drone systems, as well as their threat mitigation process and capabilities. It also intends to provide insight about how Indian acquisitions in this domain are triggering an arms race in South Asia which would have serious consequences for regional stability.
Human dependence on outer space for civilian and military purposes has increased remarkably. With advancements in developments related to outer space, the threats to space operations have also increased. States are investing in offensive and defensive counter-space capabilities to establish space superiority or to prevent their adversaries from establishing the same. One of the most notable threats is the possession of anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons by the United States (US), Russia, China and India. These weapons rely on kinetic and non-kinetic means to neutralise a satellite’s functions.This paper reviews existing literature to categorise kinetic and non-kinetic ASAT weapons and demonstrations of ASAT capabilities to establish possessors and non-possessors of ASAT weapons. Following that, the paper reviews varying degrees of applicability of treaty law and customary international law on the testing and employment of kinetic and non-kinetic ASAT weapons. The paper then reviews the recent developments pertaining to the ban on direct-ascent ASATs and assesses how that could potentially shift the focus from further development and testing of kinetic ASATs toward non-kinetic means. Subsequently, it argues that as the states ban destructive ASATs and address safety considerations by reducing the potential for debris generation, they should not lose sight of the broader issue of space security for all nations which are inextricably linked with both the kinetic and non-kinetic counter-space capabilities.
India’s Acquisition of S-400 Air Defence System and Pakistan’s Response Options
India’s acquisition of the S-400 from Russia has stirred significant discussion in geostrategic circles globally. Touted as a groundbreaking defence asset, the S-400 is expected to amplify India’s military stature, particularly as a deterrent against Pakistan. However, the prevailing Indian narrative, influenced by its media and policymakers, appears to overstate the system’s actual impact in the South Asian context. Integrating and achieving optimal performance from the Air Defence System (ADS) presents India with tangible challenges. In response, Pakistan is poised to consider robust countermeasures. This paper delves into the implications of the S-400’s deployment, outlines the anticipated operational hurdles for India, and explores Pakistan’s potential counterstrategies.
John Antal, Next War: Reimagining How We Fight (Havertown, PA: Casemate Publishers, 2023)
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Ilan Evyatar and Yonah Jeremy Bob, Target Tehran (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2023)
The Great Trade Hack: How Trump’s Trade War Fails and the World Moves On
Richard Baldwin, The Great Trade Hack: How Trump’s Trade War Fails and the World Moves On (Paris and London: CEPR Press, 2025).
Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War
Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff, Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War (California: Scribner, July 2024), pp. 336.
Astropolitical Alliances: Competition and Cooperation in Space
(ILRS) herald the emergence of astropolitical alliances spearheaded by the United States (US) and China. This working paper explores the formation of these alliances and their astropolitical implications. A thematic analysis of Western and Chinese sources examines the narratives surrounding both alliances, as well as the commercial interests, security imperatives, and geopolitical factors that influence states' decision-making to join either alliance. The paper views these alliances through the theoretical lenses of liberalism, realism, and constructivism, providing a holistic reflection on how cooperative aspirations, competitive tensions, and normative considerations have shaped alliance formation. Drawing on a comparative analysis, the study posits that while intra-alliance relations are based on cooperation, geopolitical competition arising from Sino-US tensions impedes inter-alliance collaboration. Consequently, these alliances are evolving into competing frameworks that seek to dictate norms of space governance. Notably, the paper explores how these alliances navigate legal ambiguities and challenge the egalitarian ethos of the foundational space treaties. The paper discusses whether member states can prevent the escalation of tensions between these alliances and establish cooperative linkages. The findings suggest that the current trajectory of these alliances signals a bifurcated global space order. The conclusion proposes pragmatic multilateral space governance recommendations to ensure collaborative, sustainable, and peaceful utilisation of space.
URAAN Pakistan: Evaluating the Policy Architectures
URAAN Pakistan, launched under the 13th Five-Year Plan (2024–29), is a strategic policy initiative aimed at addressing Pakistan’s persistent development challenges through a coherent, future oriented framework. Branded by the government as the ‘5Es Framework’: Exports; E-Pakistan; Environment & Climate Change; Energy & Infrastructure; and Equity, Ethics & Empowerment, the policy seeks to promote economic reforms, digital transformation, environmental resilience, and integrated national growth. Marking a departure from historically fragmented reform efforts, URAAN emphasises inter-sectoral coordination and long-term strategic planning. This paper evaluates the initiative’s policy design through a qualitative, document-based methodology. It draws on policy design literature and Barry Buzan’s multi-sectoral security framework to assess URAAN’s internal coherence, institutional architecture, and strategic viability within Pakistan’s socio-economic landscape. The analysis highlights notable strengths in the initiative’s integrated vision and thematic coherence. However, it also identifies key gaps in institutional clarity, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory oversight mechanisms. These weaknesses could undermine implementation if left unaddressed.
Syria: Battleground of ‘Power, Politics and Economics’
This study explores the Syrian conflict’s transformation into a prolonged proxy war, highlighting the interplay between internal vulnerabilities and external interventions, with three dimensions: power, politics, and economics and addressing a critical research gap in understanding the nexus of authoritarian governance, sectarian divides, and international intervention. The study uses a qualitative approach, which analyses academic research, policy reports, credible news sources, and conflict data. The findings indicate that the Assad regime’s sectarian patronage system and elite-focused economic model fuelled dissent, while foreign powers exacerbated the conflict through competing agendas. Syria’s war has claimed over 400,000 lives, displaced millions, shrunk GDP by 60 percent, and caused infrastructure losses estimated at USD 1.2 trillion. The study underscores the necessity for inclusive political processes, equitable economic reforms, and decentralised government to achieve sustainable peace and progress. It contributes to the discourse on proxy warfare and global rivalry, offering insights into the complexities of internal collapse compounded by international competition.
South Korea’s Three-Axis Defence System: Impact on Regional Security
South Korea’s Three-Axis (3K) Defence System is a conventional framework designed to resist North Korea’s nuclear threat but risks destabilising the Korean Peninsula. This paper examines the system’s evolution, its impact on North Korean security, and the potential for a regional arms race. Using a mixed-methods approach, it assesses South Korean military acquisitions, arms buildup trends, and their implications for regional security. The study concludes with policy recommendations, emphasising diplomatic engagement and arms control to ensure peace in the region.
Integrating NLP and Scenario Analysis for the Future of Space Security: A Structured Examination of Online Expert Discourse
This study conducts a scenario-based analysis of space security by integrating diverse perspectives from online media through advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP). Transcripts from 44 YouTube videos on space security are analysed including expert discussions, current news updates, and a diverse range of opinions to identify 14 key factors having an impact on the development of space security including international security environment, technological dependency, anti-satellite weaponry, space debris, governance, transparency, international cooperation, military organisation, commercial roles, cybersecurity, attack forms, commercial resilience, regulatory compliance, and space weather. Based on these factors, three scenarios of the future are developed: a Cooperative and Resilient Space Environment; a Fragmented and Vulnerable Space Domain; and a Chaotic and Hostile Space Environment. The stable future foresees strong international norms, robust cybersecurity, unified military organisation, and high commercial resilience, while the quasi-stable future reflects weakening international relations and governance. The unstable future is shaped by escalating geopolitical tensions, aggressive weaponisation, extreme debris, and severe space weather, leading to widespread disruption. This innovative methodology transforms unstructured online opinions into structured insights to guide policy and strategic decision-making.
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Artificial Intelligence for a Better Future: An Ecosystem Perspective on the Ethics of AI and Emerging Digital Technologies
Bernd Carsten Stahl, Artificial Intelligence for a Better Future: An Ecosystem Perspective on the Ethics of AI and Emerging Digital Technologies (Switzerland: Springer Nature, 2021)
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The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War
Craig Whitlock, The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2021).
Stronger: Adapting America’s China Strategy in an Age of Competitive Interdependence
Ryan Hass, Stronger: Adapting America’s China Strategy in an Age of Competitive Interdependence (London: Yale University Press, 2021).