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Today’s brief covers these themes: China-U.S. nuclear competition, an economic model for securing the Strait of Hormuz, and the changing geopolitics of the Gulf.
Tong Zhao’s article focuses on deterrence, arms control and nuclear mistrust.
The second article by Massoud Karshenas, Hashem Pesaran and Ron Smith talk about securing of Hormuz through incentives, tolls and regional cooperation
The third article by Dr. Arshad explains why the Gulf can no longer be seen a stable rear base protected by the U.S.
UPSC has previously asked questions on these themes– India’s Gulf energy pivot (GS-II 2025) requires balancing oil imports with renewables and leveraging I2U2 & West Asia Quad. Maritime security (GS-III 2025) demands protecting Hormuz & SLOCs via naval diplomacy. NPT refusal (PSIR 2024/25) reflects strategic autonomy against a discriminatory regime, while Palestine policy (PSIR 2024) balances Israel ties with traditional support. Trump’s tariffs (PSIR 2025) threaten WTO rules, pushing India toward plurilateral blocs, Quad counters China’s dominance in multipolar Asia (PSIR 2023).
