Lahore: The Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore on Thursday organised a policy discussion examining changes in the US National Security Strategy and their implications for South Asia and the Middle East, bringing together academics and security practitioners to assess the evolving global landscape.
The talk, titled “A Paradigm Shift in US National Security Strategy (NSS): Implications for South Asia and the Middle East,” focused on how recent shifts in Washington’s strategic outlook could affect regional alignments, economic models, and Pakistan’s foreign and security policy choices.
The session was opened by Ambassador Muhammad Haroon Shaukat (Retd), Director of Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies Lahore, who outlined the institute’s role as an independent think tank facilitating dialogue on national and international security issues.
Key themes from the discussion
Dr Moeed Yusuf, Vice Chancellor of Beaconhouse National University, said the 2025 US National Security Strategy marked a clear departure from earlier approaches, reflecting a more transactional view of global engagement. He noted that the strategy signalled a move away from the liberal free trade order and could accelerate the emergence of middle powers forming issue-based partnerships.
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He highlighted Pakistan’s geographic position linking South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific as a potential strategic advantage. In this context, he underscored the need for Pakistan to strengthen regional connectivity, transition from an assistance-based framework to a geoeconomic approach, and avoid rigid bloc politics, while balancing military preparedness with economic stability and internal political cohesion.
Regional implications and Pakistan’s outlook
In his concluding remarks, Air Marshal Asim Suleiman (Retd), President of CASS Lahore, said the 2025 strategy indicated a broader shift in the United States’ global outlook with potential long-term effects across key regions. He pointed to changing dynamics in Indo-US relations and noted that Pakistan was referenced in a measured manner in the strategy.
He added that Pakistan’s international standing had improved in recent years, creating space for broader engagement, particularly with countries in the Middle East.
The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session that touched on Pakistan’s defence exports, the National Security Policy, and regional diplomacy. Participants welcomed the discussion as a timely examination of emerging global security trends.
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