How Henry A. Kissinger’s Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy Moved Away from History and Back into an Unstable Nuclear Age Henry A. Kissinger arguably remains a force in strategic thinking circles. On 27–28 October 2025, a two-part documentary on his life was released by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the United States. The biography presents a case of lived experiences in Nazi Germany shaping the diplomat’s realpolitik outlook.1 In this backdrop of renewed conversations around Kissinger, resumption of nuclear testing,2 and what is being termed as the Third Nuclear Age,3 it is of much consequence to re-visit Kissinger’s classic work on nuclear weapon use, his book titled Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy, published in 1957. Tracing the statesman’s strategic thinking on nuclear use reveals much about policy and implementation, and bears much to offer future policy-making for states, especially, de facto nuclear weapon states. Tashi Dorje Gyamba | January-March 2026 | Journal of Defence Studies
Building Adaptable, Future-Ready Air Forces: Operationalising IAF Doctrine for Multi-Domain Supremacy Challenges in the warfighting domain have continued to plague the military leadership across the world. The application of the military instrument of power has continued to transform with the evolving character of war. From the days of total war that characterised ancient warfare until the world wars wherein total subjugation of the enemy to achieve political aims was the objective, the world has indeed come a long way. Nation states today seem to be in a perpetual state of ‘no war no peace’ where conflicts get diffused across the diplomatic, information, military and economic (DIME) spheres. Conflicts today take place in the military domain, without the fielded forces coming into direct visual contact. With an increasing range of weapons and technology assisting identification at large distances, the definition of direct contact has changed dramatically. The nebulous domains of cyber and space have intrinsically joined the battlefield apart from the cognitive domain of information warfare. Coupled with all this the increasing role of third parties or proxies in great power competition and rivalry, make crystal gazing and preparing for the next conflict even more challenging. Anil Golani | January-March 2026 | Journal of Defence Studies
Emerging Threat Vectors: Drones and Autonomous Systems in the Indian Defence Spectrum This article examines the strategic implications of drones and autonomous systems within India’s evolving defence and security environment. It argues that autonomy should not be assessed merely as a platform capability, but as a structural force that compresses decision cycles, complicates attribution and reshapes escalation control. Focusing on India’s contested borders, grey-zone pressures, and proximity to technologically capable adversaries, the article analyses emerging threats from China and Pakistan, gaps in India’s doctrine, training, C2 integration, cyber resilience and civil– military technology fusion. It recommends a decision-centric approach to threat assessment, supported by doctrinal reform, red teaming, indigenous autonomy stacks, and institutionalised operational learning. Parikshit Bishnoi , Rajan Bakshi | January-March 2026 | Journal of Defence Studies
India and the Strait of Hormuz: Strategic Vulnerabilities and Policy Responses in a Shifting Regional Order The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint, is crucial for India’s energy security as more than two-thirds of India’s oil imports pass through this route.1 This article examines India’s strategic interests in the strait amid escalating geopolitical tensions, including US–Iran confrontations, China’s expanding regional presence through initiatives like BRI and Gwadar Port, and persistent asymmetric threats like Houthi attacks. Analysing India’s multi-dimensional response—naval deployments (Operation Sankalp2), energy diversification efforts, and diplomatic balancing between Iran and Gulf states—the study reveals significant vulnerabilities: over-reliance on the strait, limited naval logistics in the Gulf, and absence of regional security frameworks. The research highlights emerging alternatives like India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), International North- South Transport Corridor (INSTC), while arguing that India must enhance maritime domain awareness, develop forward operating capabilities, and lead minilateral security initiatives to protect its interests. The findings contribute to understanding how rising powers navigate critical chokepoints amidst great power competition, offering policy recommendations for India to secure its energy lifelines while maintaining strategic autonomy in an increasingly contested maritime domain. Talha Latief Tantray | January-March 2026 | Journal of Defence Studies
The Making of a Mythos: AI-Enabled Cybersecurity and the Emerging Architecture of Access Mythos evokes caution about the emerging stage of AI development, characterised by the dilution of human oversight and inequitable access to capabilities. Meghna Pradhan | | Issue Brief
Indian Drone Ecosystem: Need to Innovate to Dominate Operation Sindoor saw Pakistan launch massed drone attacks which were neutralised by the Indian counter-unmanned aircraft system grid. Pakistan and its all-weather friends, China and Turkey, most likely will learn from this misadventure and evolve better drone designs, coupled with tactics, techniques and procedures, for combat. India needs to prepare for combatting the drones that they throw at it tomorrow and at the same time, build innovative drone capabilities to enhance offensive response options. Drones have incrementally evolved over time in India. However, some technologies can exponentially enhance their capabilities and utility. Does the Indian drone ecosystem have what it takes to deliver? Does success till now guarantee similar performance in future? What are the technologies and innovations that the Indian drone ecosystem can invest in its quest for global domination? What lessons can we take from countries that are leading drone innovations and development? This article makes an attempt to find answers to a few of such questions. Rajan Desai | January-March 2026 | Journal of Defence Studies
Fighting for Red Hill or Maibam Lotpa Hill: A Decisive Episode of the Battle of Imphal, May 1944 This study examines the nine-day engagement at Maibam-Lotpa Hill (Red Hill) from 20 May to 29 May 1944, analysing its strategic significance and broader implications within the Imphal campaign. In addition to assessing the operational and tactical developments of the battle, this article explores the experiences of local communities in Maibam, Oinam, Irengbam and Nambol, who were directly impacted by the fighting. Drawing on a combination of soldiers’ memoirs, survivor testimonies and secondary sources, the study reconstructs the course of the engagement and its local consequences. Furthermore, it seeks to address historiographical inaccuracies, particularly the mis-identification of the British 17th Indian Division’s headquarters during the critical phase of its confrontation in the Bishnupur sector. By engaging with these dimensions, this study aims to underscore the enduring historical importance of the engagement and its role in shaping the outcome of the Battle of Imphal in World War II. Loitam Akashnanda Singh | January-March 2026 | Journal of Defence Studies
Is Xi Jinping in Control for the Fourth Term? A Reality Check Xi Jinping has amassed more personal power than any Chinese leader in decades. Since becoming General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2012, Xi has systematically centralised authority abolishing presidential term limits, installing loyalists and also purging them. This article endeavours to examine the current state of Xi’s control by analysing two competing theories of ‘Xi losing control amid emerging fissures’ and that ‘Xi remains in full control’. Xi’s aggressive purge strategy has indeed concentrated power in his hands, but also set in a deep-seated insecurity at the top leading to internal power dynamics, abolishing informal rule of elders, perceived conflict with PLA on sacking of senior officers. This likely paranoia and various other factors have also led to some social and economic downturn affecting his leadership. A detailed assessment of all such factors led to likely conclusion that Xi is still in full control and shall be re-elected in the 21st CPC, less some black swan event. K. Shanaz | January-March 2026 | Journal of Defence Studies
Editorial I am pleased to present to the readers the first issue of 2026, featuring five analytically rich articles, four commentaries and four book reviews. I would also like to inform the readers about a forthcoming special issue titled “The Year of Reforms: Reshaping India’s Defence for the Decade Ahead”, work on which is in progress. We plan to bring out another special issue subsequently. Vivek Chadha | January-March 2026 | Journal of Defence Studies
Strategic Interdependence without Accession: EU–Türkiye Relations Mutual security, economic and regional interests continue to sustain the EU–Türkiye cooperation despite persistent political and normative disagreements. Abhishek Yadav | | IDSA Comments
