Addressing an audience comprising students and faculty at the DSS Department, Brig Retd. Feroz H Khan former Director ACDA, author of the seminal book “eating grass” and at present, professor at Naval post graduate college, Monterey California, examined the two decades of south Asian nuclearization and the developments at various levels. He examined the Changing face of warfare, through four intervening variables, such as Actors, values and norms, technological innovations and lastly, the hybridity of war that has affected and impacted the traditional notion of nuclear deterrence, as well as the development of nuclear discourse.
He talked about the very critical and limited window of opportunity, available to Pakistan, which the country utilised despite a highly polarised and unfavorable international environment to develop its nuclear potential and that is one of the reasons as to why Pakistan’s nuclear program has always been viewed with scepticism and earned international disapproval. The achievements of the scientific community, and everyone attached to the nuclear program must be duly acknowledged and appreciated. Once Pakistan came out of the closet and the state of denial of the 1970s and 1980s, the nuclear program became a symbol of identity, unanimity in all circles, civil, military as well as all range of civil society. For Pakistan it was an ultimate safeguard, and the policy makers overcame all obstacles through remarkable diplomacy and resilience in a changing world order.
He also touched upon the different mindsets prevalent between the nuclear enthusiasts and cautionists. During the interaction session, a wide range of questions were raised. It was also mentioned that nuclear weapons in our security calculus are doing their needful, however with changing regional dynamics, all elements of national power must be considered and strengthened.