PhD Scholar Mr Asim Ahmed successfully defended his thesis titled GRAND STRATEGY IN AN ERA OF ASYMMETRIC AND HYBRID WARFARE in which he examined that the traditional conception of the term ‘Grand Strategy’ limi
ts its application to great powers only and their grand strategic objectives in an international environment. However, in the 21st century, the types of threats and warfare are diverse in nature, duly described by the contemporary scholars as hybrid warfare with asymmetric warfare being an inherent part of it. One manifestation of such a warfare is, for example, the Arab Spring, where, in the aftermath, various states in the North Africa and Middle East saw a collapse due to internal civil strife/unrest. Considered to be an indirect, intra-state warfare but it has been observed that in it, the dissatisfied population of the target country is provoked by exploiting the existing internal fissures through physical support, information and propaganda warfare, usually with active support from external actors. The candidate further analysed the question whether correct strategies are being adopted by the affected states to counter and mitigate such threats because an answer to this is predicated upon an accurate assessment of the nature and magnitude of warfare being encountered and the quantum of efforts required to counter these effectively.
Professor Dr Adam Saud and Professor Dr Hussain Shaheed Suharwardy as the honorable external examiners initiated the viva to be followed by questions and comments from the visiting scholars and students in the audience. The thesis Jury announced the successful completion of the thesis and declared the candidate as Dr Asim Ahmed. at the end Dr Asim’s supervisor Dr Salma Malik thanked the jury and summing up the session congratulated the candidate.
