Curtain raiser of new great game

The Indian attack on Pakistan serves as a curtain raiser for a new Great Game orchestrated by hegemonic powers (the USA, the West, and Israel are the new players). The Great Game aims to reverse the decline of their hegemonic power, restore lost glory, and hinder the peaceful rise of Asia, particularly China.

The orchestrators understand that the global liberal system they built is fighting for its survival. This system, founded on alluring promises and eloquent rhetoric—such as development, equality, inclusivity, respect for dignity, sovereignty, and rule-based global governance and security—is losing its appeal. Instead of addressing the problems, they have begun blaming others for their decline, targeting the rising Global South, especially Asia.

They believe and aim to win the new Great Game, as they did in the past. They have assumed they are immune to impacts, as they are far from the region.

However, they overlook one crucial aspect: they are living in the 21st century, not the 18th or 19th century. Humanity is experiencing the most advanced stage of development. On one hand, humans have devised the most innovative means of destruction, rendering distance irrelevant.

Technology has allowed nations to create weapons that can reach anywhere, and the consequences will not be confined to one region or area. For example, the impacts of nuclear weapons will not be restricted to the warring parties; they can spread throughout the world.

Cyberspace wars and security challenges have further complicated the situation. It is becoming a lethal weapon of destruction, and even individuals can wreak havoc in the world, let alone the involvement of states.

There is no need to be physically present, travel from one place to another, or be on the battlefield. Attacks can be launched from your bedroom. There are many ways to cause destruction, such as hijacking transport systems, manipulating weapon systems, targeting water infrastructure, etc.

Moreover, biological weapons are another dimension of modern warfare. There is no need to deploy a massive army or weapons. A small pathogen can play havoc.

On top of everything, the outer space war is a new reality that has made everyone vulnerable and reachable. Countries are in a race to dominate outer space warfare.

In the future, we will see satellites being targeted and communication systems destroyed. Countries can also launch missile attacks from outer space, which will have no answer and will result in destruction. This is the beginning of outer space warfare, and we have limited information.

On the other hand, we live in a globalized world run by highly integrated markets, and disruption in one place can lead to disruption everywhere. Moreover, the USA and the West no longer hold the decisive economic power, and the world can survive rather than thrive without them.

China is a new economic center and decisive force. Thus, they cannot threaten or bribe countries to toe their policies. The most prominent example in recent months is the American Trade war. Instead of bringing economic prosperity to the USA, the trade war has further complicated American problems.

Unfortunately, the proponents do not understand the new realities. They are hell-bent on regaining hegemony and preventing China’s peaceful rise. Thus, they initiated a new Great Game in Asia by deploying the old, time-tested “divide and rule” policy. They were looking for an ally to execute the “divide and rule” strategy. They were fortunate to find that India could serve as an efficient stooge for the objectives of the new Great Game.

They started encouraging India to become a disruptive force in Asia and the Global South. India was trapped by selling a false dream of a major global power status. India was lured by catchy phrases such as India holds the world’s future with a rising economy and a huge market.

Indian ignorance, arrogance, and self-assumed greatness have made it easy for them to trap India in a disruptive role and as a controlled stooge. Now, they are manipulating India as they wish. They have entangled India in multiple alliances to assist Western powers, such as the QUAD.

India was lured into joining the QUAD by being portrayed as the leader of the Global South and as a counterbalance to China.

They have renamed the Asia-Pacific to the Indian Pacific to create the impression that India is a major power. The USA and the West are using India to achieve their objectives, while India believes it is a leader in these alliances.

They have succeeded in using India to create problems for the Global South and undermine its unity. India engages in maneuvering at BRICS, SCO, and other Global South platforms, which benefit the West.

Additionally, India is actively opposing China. For instance, in recent times, India has escalated its border dispute with China, such as the Galwan Valley conflict. The Chinese responded strongly, yet India has refused to learn from this experience. It has become increasingly active in the QUAD alliance to counter China.

Indian ignorance and arrogance have also encouraged India to become a partner in opposing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Instead, it has taken a leading role in sabotaging the CPEC through coercive measures and terrorism. India is financing terrorism and the killing of innocent civilians in Pakistan, targeting Chinese nationals as well.

After the failure of all tactics, India has attacked Pakistan based on its self-assumed assumption of terrorism. The USA and the West are pleased with the situation, feeling a sense of achievement as they have successfully initiated a hot conflict in the vicinity of China.

Fortunately, the conflict ended with US mediation and a decisive victory for Pakistan. Pakistan demonstrated its superiority, war readiness, and commitment to protecting its sovereignty and interests. Therefore, I suspect that the US did not mediate out of a love for peace but intervened because India proved to be a weak ally or pawn.

This argument is supported by the fact that until India attacked and Pakistan did not respond, the US was telling the world it was not its business.

However, a fitting and decisive response by Pakistan compelled the US to realize that further escalation would lead to more destruction in India and sabotage the New Great Game. Thus, it immediately became the US’s business, and it started mediating a ceasefire.

However, I believe the ceasefire is merely a pause, not the end of the conflict, because they did not achieve their objectives of weakening Pakistan and entangling China in a hot conflict.

Thus, they will strike back with new tactics and tools to pursue their goals. For example, they can/will use the IMF to pressure Pakistan, create economic challenges, and force Pakistan to abandon CPEC.

India and Israel can/will intensify terror financing and terrorism in Pakistan. By doing so, they will compel Pakistan to undermine its relationship with China and become a junior partner to India to achieve the goals of the Western Great Game.

Therefore, Pakistan should not relax; rather, it should be extra vigilant. Pakistan must develop a comprehensive policy, narrative, and instruments to counter them. For that purpose, Pakistan should deploy indigenous wisdom and brilliant brains, not parrots or foreign-funded consultants.