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Pic Courtesy: Wikipedia<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Asia<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The largest continent with 30% of land mass (17.21 Million Square miles) and 60% of the world population (4.6 Billion) spread across about 48 countries.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The three biggest economies of the continent (China, India, and Japan) are among the top 5 economies of the world.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Five Asian countries feature in the list of top 10 militaries of the world (China, India, Japan, Korea, and Turkey), and ten Asian countries feature in the top 20.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The continent is generally divided into 5 regions (East, Central, West, south, and southwest).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Conflict and War<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf you want peace, be prepared for war\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n – Julius Caesar<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Conflict arises due to a perceived threat to own needs and interests.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Conflicts are a part of life and are prevalent among all living organisms.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unresolved conflicts can cause violence, aggression, and fights.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the context of nations, conflicts if not resolved could lead to a war.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n War is generally intentional, declared, widespread, long-duration, and armed conflict between nations and states. It is one of the instruments for settling disputes.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n History is replete with conflicts, tensions, rifts, violence, skirmishes, battles, and wars.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cObject of war is peace\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n – Aristotle<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Conflicts and wars can be largely classified as:-<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Statistical Analysis<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n SIPRI data on arms transfer, treaties, and wars reveals the following:-<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A high number of wars in the Asian region makes one wonder if it is circumstantial or by design.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Some of the existing hot spots in the region include:-<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The majority of hot spots center on China with direct or indirect involvement.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Changing Nature of War<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Generally, the duration and extent are reduced (world wars to local wars to skirmishes.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The wars are becoming high-tech with advanced platforms, weapons, and systems.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wars are no longer limited to the military domain. All tools of state-craft (diplomacy, information, military, and Economy) are actively involved.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Newer domains of warfare include cyber, space, electronic, and information besides earlier ones i.e. land, sea, air, and nuclear.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grey zone warfare is the order of the day wherein anything and everything can be used as a weapon.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The use of terrorism, asymmetric warfare, piracy, and non-traditional warfare has become a norm.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The absence of war does not mean peace and peace does not mean the absence of hostile activities.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Militaries alone do not go to war, Entire nation goes to war.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Lessons from Recent Wars<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Conflict situations demand a whole-of-nation approach.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Self-Reliance is essential not only in defence production but in a much broader perspective.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n One has to fight its own wars, yet multilateralism and collective security are relevant.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Interoperability and alliance are helpful even in dealing with situations arising out of grey zone hostile activities.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Deterrence (Military and nuclear) works.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sanctions do not prevent violent aggression but need to be catered for.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n National security needs to be addressed holistically (including energy, food technology, etc.).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Concluding Thoughts<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wars are fought over resources and economic control. Differences of opinion about ideology, religion, and way of governance are mere excuses.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Power flows from the barrel of the gun resting on the economic tripod.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Change is the only constant. Adapt or perish.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Learn (even from your enemies) continuously and be prepared accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n THINK IT OVER<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Maximum wars have been fought in the Asian region.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span>The region has been exploited and its riches have been plundered.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span>Still, Asia is rising.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span>Will the coming century belong to Asia or the opportunity will be missed by infighting?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suggestions and value additions are most welcome<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For regular updates, please register here<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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