CASS Lahore Hosts Talk on Shifting US National Security Strategy and Regional Implications Islamabad

Islamabad: The Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), Lahore, organised an academic talk titled “A Paradigm Shift in US National Security Strategy (NSS): Implications for South Asia and the Middle East” on 22 January 2026. As an independent think tank, CASS Lahore regularly convenes scholarly forums to promote informed discourse on national security in its broader strategic context. The event brought together academics, intellectuals, and subject-matter experts.
Ambassador Muhammad Haroon Shaukat (Retd), Director CASS Lahore, delivered the opening address, underscoring the importance of critically examining evolving global security trends and their regional consequences.
The keynote speaker, Dr Moeed Yusuf, Vice Chancellor of Beaconhouse National University, observed that the 2025 US National Security Strategy represents a significant departure from previous iterations and clearly reflects President Trump’s worldview. Drawing parallels with the 1904 Roosevelt Doctrine, he argued that the strategy has disrupted the liberal free-trade order, paving the way for the rise of middle powers engaging through issue-based partnerships. Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, Dr Yusuf emphasised three key imperatives for Pakistan: transforming into a regional connectivity hub, shifting from an assistance-based approach to geoeconomics, and pursuing a policy of no-camp politics. He further stressed the need for Pakistan to navigate an increasingly complex global environment by strengthening its military capabilities without compromising economic growth, while also addressing internal political divisions.
In his concluding remarks, Air Marshal Asim Suleiman (Retd), President CASS Lahore, noted that the 2025 NSS signals a fundamental shift in the United States’ global outlook, with far-reaching implications for key regions. He observed that Indo-US relations are at a historic low, accompanied by a diminished Indian role in the Indo-Pacific. While Pakistan is referenced soberly in the NSS, he highlighted that bilateral relations with the United States have improved following Pakistan’s success in Marka-e-Haq, which has enhanced its global standing and credibility. He also pointed to emerging opportunities for Pakistan to deepen its engagement with the Middle East.
The event concluded with a lively interactive session, during which participants discussed Pakistan’s defence exports, the National Security Policy, and evolving engagements with the Middle East. Participants appreciated CASS Lahore’s initiative in hosting a timely, engaging, and thought-provoking discussion.